KJ
3 May 2003, 00:06
Approved for public release (soon to be printed in Hurlburt Newspaper):
Air Force Pararescue was in the forefront of the Pvt. Jessica Lynch rescue
that took place on 1 Apr 03. USAF Pararescue, or PJs, were attached to the
team of Navy SEALs that performed the rescue on the night of 1 Apr 03 that
liberated Pvt Lynch.
One of the PJs, TSgt Chris (last name omitted for security reasons) was the
first American to see and talk to Pvt Lynch since her capture more than a
week before. His job was to provide the initial on-scene medical diagnosis
and treatment and to make sure she was "packaged" for the litter carry to
the helicopter.
According to TSgt Chris, the rescue went very smoothly and as they had hoped
it would have, taking minimal time and effort. "On missions like these, the
intensity is unreal, because you never know what is around the next corner".
The SEALs moved forward in a deliberate, well disciplined manner to the
objective. "These guys are good", said TSgt Chris, "ready for whatever comes
up".
"And luckily she was exactly where we thought she would be".
According to TSgt Chris, as they entered her room, Pvt Lynch was
understandably terrified as she thought the worst was happening, much as she
had since her capture 23 Mar. The whole event took less than 30 minutes, and
TSgt Chris escorted her through the entire ordeal.
The news video clip shown to the world of her being carried away to a
waiting helicopter for the ride back to friendly lines shows the PJ walking
beside the litter talking and soothing her and explaining what was happening
next. TSgt Chris said it was obvious Pvt Lynch was distressed when they
burst into the room, so he immediately calmed her and told her they were
Americans here to take her home.
He then gave her his American flag from his uniform, which was attached to
his sleeve with Velcro, which she held tightly all the way back to safety.
He said it seemed to calm her and give her the confidence and reassurance
she needed to know that they were really giving her the ride back to
freedom.
TSgt Chris said he didn't really know what to expect her condition to be,
but was prepared for a lot worse. But as luck would have it, she was in
fairly good shape considering her week-long ordeal at the hands of the
Iraqis. And, he added, "she was ready to go".
I know she was a tough soldier to have gone through what she did, so I knew
she would be alright".
When asked about the news video scene of moving the litter down the stairs,
he stated that it's no easy task to transport a litter patient down the
narrow hospital stairwells, but that is "something we planned for". It's a
scenario we as PJs must contend with on many missions, especially important
in an urban environment. Believe it or not, the training we receive in the
civilian community fits very well into these type situations".
USAF PJs are known throughout the DOD for their rescue and recovery
expertise as well as their exemplary trauma medical skills. PJs often
augment other services and coalition forces in missions of this type, due to
their unique skills and professionalism. Their tactical flexibility becomes
a force multiplier and their expertise is an important quality in today's
military, where interoperability, combined with multiple skill sets, makes
for an in-demand operator. The PJs are the only DOD specialty specifically
trained for rescue and recovery missions in combat operations. They have
responded to virtually every rescue mission in this war and their medical
skills have saved many lives during this war as well as the last war in
Afghanistan.
Air Force Pararescue was in the forefront of the Pvt. Jessica Lynch rescue
that took place on 1 Apr 03. USAF Pararescue, or PJs, were attached to the
team of Navy SEALs that performed the rescue on the night of 1 Apr 03 that
liberated Pvt Lynch.
One of the PJs, TSgt Chris (last name omitted for security reasons) was the
first American to see and talk to Pvt Lynch since her capture more than a
week before. His job was to provide the initial on-scene medical diagnosis
and treatment and to make sure she was "packaged" for the litter carry to
the helicopter.
According to TSgt Chris, the rescue went very smoothly and as they had hoped
it would have, taking minimal time and effort. "On missions like these, the
intensity is unreal, because you never know what is around the next corner".
The SEALs moved forward in a deliberate, well disciplined manner to the
objective. "These guys are good", said TSgt Chris, "ready for whatever comes
up".
"And luckily she was exactly where we thought she would be".
According to TSgt Chris, as they entered her room, Pvt Lynch was
understandably terrified as she thought the worst was happening, much as she
had since her capture 23 Mar. The whole event took less than 30 minutes, and
TSgt Chris escorted her through the entire ordeal.
The news video clip shown to the world of her being carried away to a
waiting helicopter for the ride back to friendly lines shows the PJ walking
beside the litter talking and soothing her and explaining what was happening
next. TSgt Chris said it was obvious Pvt Lynch was distressed when they
burst into the room, so he immediately calmed her and told her they were
Americans here to take her home.
He then gave her his American flag from his uniform, which was attached to
his sleeve with Velcro, which she held tightly all the way back to safety.
He said it seemed to calm her and give her the confidence and reassurance
she needed to know that they were really giving her the ride back to
freedom.
TSgt Chris said he didn't really know what to expect her condition to be,
but was prepared for a lot worse. But as luck would have it, she was in
fairly good shape considering her week-long ordeal at the hands of the
Iraqis. And, he added, "she was ready to go".
I know she was a tough soldier to have gone through what she did, so I knew
she would be alright".
When asked about the news video scene of moving the litter down the stairs,
he stated that it's no easy task to transport a litter patient down the
narrow hospital stairwells, but that is "something we planned for". It's a
scenario we as PJs must contend with on many missions, especially important
in an urban environment. Believe it or not, the training we receive in the
civilian community fits very well into these type situations".
USAF PJs are known throughout the DOD for their rescue and recovery
expertise as well as their exemplary trauma medical skills. PJs often
augment other services and coalition forces in missions of this type, due to
their unique skills and professionalism. Their tactical flexibility becomes
a force multiplier and their expertise is an important quality in today's
military, where interoperability, combined with multiple skill sets, makes
for an in-demand operator. The PJs are the only DOD specialty specifically
trained for rescue and recovery missions in combat operations. They have
responded to virtually every rescue mission in this war and their medical
skills have saved many lives during this war as well as the last war in
Afghanistan.