Pararescue

Pararescue is one of the few combat arms of the Air Force. Air Force Special Operations Command's pararescuemen, known as PJs, primarily conduct conventional or unconventional rescue operations. Their primary mission is personnel recovery and combat search and rescue.

A PJ's primary mission is as a personnel recovery specialist. PJs can operate in any enviornment; air-land-sea to save injured personnel. PJs perform search and rescue, combat search and rescue, recovery support for NASA and other special operations as required.

Pararescuemen are some of the best special forces operators in the world. They are Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic qualified. PJs are able to perform life-saving missions in any enviornment.

Their motto - "That Others May Live,"

The Pararescue / Combat Rescue officers provide an important leadership role.

The officer candidates must survive more than a year of some of the hardest, most demanding training the Air Force offers. The candidatesmlearn to parachute, swim, dive, fight, perform basic emergency medical technician skills and conduct rescue operations in hostile enviornments.
CROs have an influential role in rescue operations planning during contingency operations. They are the experts commanders consult for advice on rescue operations and handling survival training for Airmen in the field.

The Air Force has approximately 166 CROs in various commands. The first cadre of officers began training in 2002 and are combat-experienced operators.