When it comes to the U.S. Armed Forces’ elite Special Operations units, plenty of folks have heard of the Army’s Delta Force, Special Forces (Green Berets), Rangers, and the Navy SEALs. And a fair number have also heard of the U.S. Marine Corps Recon, Force Recon, and Marine Raiders.
But far fewer people are aware that even the kinder, gentler United States Air Force (USAF) Tactical Air Control Party (TACP), Special Reconnaissance (SR), and our current topic at hand: the Pararescuemen AKA Pararescue Jumpers (PJs).
Job Description and Mission
USAF PJs hold the unique distinction of being the only U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) specialty specifically trained and equipped to conduct conventional or unconventional rescue operations, i.e. personnel recovery and combat search-and-rescue (CSAR). Though there are just over 500 Pararescuemen Air Force-wide, they’ve performed thousands of combat rescue missions for both military and civilian personnel in their illustrious history.
The Air Force Has Its Very Own Special Forces
- by: Christian D. Orr
- 2024-12-03
- Source:
The National Interest
- 12/04/2024
U.S. Air Force tactical air control party specialists assigned to Detachment 1, 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron pull pulk sleds while cross country skiing along the Denali Highway, Alaska, by U.S. Air Force photo by Alejandro Peña is licensed under Digital U.S. Air Force
