pararescue Airmen save lives
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Capt. Richard Welch, a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter pilot with the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, rushes out to his aircraft during a casualty evacuation mission here June 11 as pararescue Airmen gear up in the background. The quick response actions of the 83rd ERQS Airmen saved the lives of two wounded Afghan National Police in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan. It takes the 83rd ERQS an average of just 10 minutes from the time of notification to have a helicopter on its way to the fight. Captain Welch is from Bloomington, Minn. The 83rd ERQS aircrews are deployed from the 33rd Rescue Squadron at Kadena Air Base. The pararescue Airmen are deployed from the 31st Rescue Squadron, also at Kadena Air Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. John Wright)