United States Air Force Pararescue

USAF Pararescue
U.S. Air Force Pararescue Beret Crest (colorized)
FoundedMay 1946 – active
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
TypeSpecial operations force
RoleCombat search and rescue
Direct action
Raiding
Hostage rescue
Close-quarters combat
Tactical emergency medical services
Medical evacuation
Part of
Nickname(s)"PJs", "Maroon Berets", "Rescue Rangers", "Air Commandos"
Motto(s)"These Things We Do, That Others May Live"[4]
Color of Beret  Maroon
Insignia
Maroon beret with Pararescueman Crest

Pararescuemen (also known as Pararescue Jumpers or PJs) are United States Air Force special operators who conduct personnel recovery and combat search and rescue operations as well as other missions for the U.S. military and its allies. Highly trained special operators, PJs are generally assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and Air Combat Command (ACC).[5]

Personnel recovery includes rescuing and providing medical treatment to injured or stranded personnel in hostile or remote environments, such as behind enemy lines or in the wilderness. Combat search and rescue operations recover personnel from enemy-controlled territory.[6]

They are attached to other special operations units from all branches to conduct other operations as appropriate. PJs have also supported NASA missions, and have recovered astronauts after water landings.[7][8]

Long an enlisted preserve, the Pararescue service expanded to include Combat Rescue Officers early in the 21st century. Of the roughly 200 Air Force Cross recipients, 12 are Pararescuemen.[9]

  1. ^ "Guardian Angel FAQs". Air Force Link. United States Air Force. 18 June 2012. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Pararescue". Air Force Reserve Link. United States Air Force Reserve. Archived from the original on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  3. ^ "Pararescue". Air National Guard Link. United States Air National Guard. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Pararescue Factsheet". Air Force Link. United States Air Force. October 2007. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
  5. ^ "Heritage of the Special Operations Professionals". Air Force Special Operations Command. United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 10 December 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
  6. ^ "What is a USAF Pararescueman and what exactly do they do?". ATACLETE. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  7. ^ Fratus, Matt (15 November 2021). "How an Air Force Pararescue Team Recovered NASA Astronauts After Emergency Landing". Coffee or Die Magazine. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  8. ^ White, Matt (3 July 2023). "Air Force Pararescue teams are looking for a new boat to rescue astronauts". Task & Purpose. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Pararescue". Air Force. Retrieved 27 July 2023.