A U.S. Air Force pararescueman provides rear cover for an extraction team during an exercise on Eglin Range, Fla., Aug. 21, 2012. The pararescueman was participating in a scenario where his team had to respond to a simulated improvised explosive device explosion and transport the injured to safety.
(U.S. Air Force Photo/ Staff Sgt. John Bainter)
A U.S. Air Force pararescueman applies a tourniquet to a simulated improvised explosive device victim during a training exercise on Eglin Range, Fla., Aug. 21, 2012. The scenario played out included a simulated I.E.D. explosion in a building, as part of an upgrade training requirement for Air Force pararescuemen.
(U.S. Air Force Photo/ Staff Sgt. John Bainter)
A U.S. Air Force pararescueman plays a casualty during a training exercise on Eglin Range, Fla., Aug. 21, 2012. The pararescueman was portraying a casualty killed in action during a training exercise.
(U.S. Air Force Photo/ Staff Sgt. John Bainter)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. William Collier, an aerial gunner with 4th Special Operations Squadron, gets moulage applied to his face on Eglin Range, Fla., Aug. 21, 2012. Collier was a simulated casualty as part of a tactical readiness specialist training exercise. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. John Bainter)
A U.S. Air Force pararescueman with 23rd Special Tactics Squadron provides cover from between two rail cars during a simulated improvised explosive device training exercise on Eglin Range, Fla., Aug. 21, 2012. He provided cover for an evacuation team transporting a simulated combat casualty. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. John Bainter)
U.S. Air Force pararescuemen from 23rd Special Tactics Squadron drag a simulated combat casualty on a litter during a tactical readiness training exercise on Eglin Range, Fla., Aug. 21, 2012. The pararescuemen performed several exercises to meet training requirements to become tactical readiness specialists.
(U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. John Bainter)
U.S. Air Force pararescuemen with 23rd Special Tactics Squadron administer Self Aid Buddy Care to a patient injured in a simulated improvised explosive device explosion on Eglin Range, Fla., Aug. 21, 2012. The pararescuemen were removing casualties from a building where a simulated improvised explosive device went off as during training exercise. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Staff Sgt. John Bainter)
by Staff Sgt. John Bainter
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
9/24/2012 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The sound of gunfire rings out as simulation rounds whiz through the air and paint splatters against the side of a building.
Gravel crunches beneath the feet of a rescue team as they shout out commands and lower an injured combat casualty from a rooftop.
This setting served as the backdrop for a combat casualty training exercise on the Eglin Range Aug. 14. This exercise is part of a series required for 23rd Special Tactics Squadron Airmen to achieve their upgrade training goals.
According to Tech. Sgt Ryan Hall, a pararescueman of 23rd STS, the general focus of the training helped develop the squadron's organic personnel recovery capability while integrating a joint service environment.
According to the squadron's factsheet, the 23rd STS is a unit that trains, equips and employs combat control, pararescue and support personnel in response to Presidential/Secretary of Defense taskings. The squadron's primary task is to integrate, synchronize and/or control the elements of air and space power in the objective area.
The unit performs austere airfield control, terminal attack control, personnel rescue and recovery, assault zone assessment, battlefield trauma care, direct action and special reconnaissance.
Photos and photo layout by Staff Sgt. John Bainter
