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Operation Enduring Freedom

War news last updated on Sunday, April 05, 2009

Here is the latest rescue news from the war on terrorism!
Click on blue hyperlinks to go directly to a story. If you have news that you would like to publish here, email me at rlapointe@pjsinnam.com Links here are usually MS Word files or Adobe Acrobat PDF files. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you can download a free copy by clicking on the get acrobat reader link below.

HH-60 Crew Lost During Medevac in Afghanistan
on March 23, 2003

Other News

Saudi Arabia - Friend or Foe  As we fight the war on terrorism it is important to know who are our allies and who are our enemies. 

Magazine Articles   Require Adobe Acrobat

News from Multiple Sources 

22 February 2002 - Two PJs killed in the Philippines
Synopsis - The 320th Special Tactics Squadron, Kadena AB Japan was tasked to deploy forces to the Philippines in support of Balikatan 02-1. Both PJs and CCT were deployed. Ballikatan is a joint combined military operation between the Philippine and American military. The purpose of the operation is to conduct counter terrorist operations against Abu Sayyaf. This terrorist group is associated with El Qaeda and is one of the cells President Bush has vowed to bring to justice. Abu Sayyaf presently holds two American missionaries hostage and has demanded a one million dollar ransom or the hostages will be beheaded. The U.S. military it providing training, intelligence and logistics support to the Philippine (PI) Army. The PI Army will conduct the counterterrorist raids. Very small numbers of U.S. troops (normally 2) will accompany the PI troops as advisors. Major segments of the PI government have placed restrictions on U.S. troops conducting combat operations against Abu Sayyaf. The stated reason for these restrictions is that it is a matter of national pride that their own army fights this war.

On 22 February 2002, two MH-47s had just finished ferrying troops to a neighboring island and the were returning to base. At 2:30 a.m. one of the MH-47s crashed into the sea. Witnesses stated that the helicopter was on fire prior to impacting the water. After impact, the main wreckage quickly sank. On the waters surface there was some wreckage and a jet fuel fire. There were 10 persons on board the downed chopper. Two of these men were PJs, MSgt William McDaniel and SSgt Jaun Ridout.

The second MH-47 immediately began rescue operations. On board this helicopter were two other PJs, SSgt Tim Tweeter and SrA Aaron Butler. In spite of floating and flaming debris, they vigorously volunteered to low and slow to the downed chopper. They had hoped to get to the main fuselage prior to it completely submerging. Unfortunately, the chopper sank before they got to it. Both PJs then conducted a surface search for survivors. They found no survivors.

16 February 2002 - PJs Parachute into Afghanistan
Synopsis - Three PJs freefall parachuted from an HC-130 (call sign Fever 11) into Afghanistan to provide emergency medical care to an Australian SAS trooper. The PJs were SMSgt Bill Sine, TSgt Rich Carroll and SrA Randall Wilkes. Also on board the HC-130 were PJs 2nd Lt Matt MacGinness and SSgt Jason Baird. They did not jump but helped with the command and control while the HC-130 orbited. Lt MacGinness is one of the new breed of Combat Rescue Officers. All of the PJs on the HC-130 are assigned to the 38 RQS (Pararescue Squadron) at Moody AFB. The PJ team and patient were extracted by an HH-60 Pave Hawk flown by an aircrew normally assigned to the 66th RQS, Nellis AFB. On board the HH-60 was another PJ, Pat Harding. Despite the best efforts of the PJ team, the patients multiple trauma injuries were too severe and he died while under their care. The attached news articles are from the Sydney Morning Herald. The comment about a surgeon parachuting in with the PJs is an error. This combat jump earns the PJs a gold star on the HALO jump wings. A hearty "well done" to the PJs and the rescue aircrews who inserted and extracted them. Combat rescue is alive and doing very well in Afghanistan. Several troops in contact medevacs have been flown by Air Rescue Pavehawks. These rescues, often under enemy fire are being accomplished more often than one is aware. OPSEC requirements are restricting the flow of any  additional specific information.

Jump Mission News Articles - MS Word Document
Jump Mission News Articles - Adobe pdf Document
Photo of Fever 11 crew & PJs
Click thumbnails for full size photo

Fever 11 HC-130 crew and PJs
Left photo shows  L to R TSgt Rich Carroll, SMSgt Bill Sine, SRA Randall Wilkes, and in the back is Lt Matthew McGinness (a combat rescue officer) 

Pararescuemen

I was that which others did not want to be.
I went where others feared to go,
and did what others failed to do.
I asked nothing from those who gave nothing,
And reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal
loneliness...should I fail.
I have seen the face of terror; felt the stinging cold of fear,
and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love.
I have cried, pained and hoped...
but most of all,
I have lived times others would say best forgotten.
Always I will be able to say,
that I was proud of what I was: a P.J.
~author unknown~

If you have news that should be published please e-mail the webmaster at rlapointe@gci.net

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