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In the Crossfire

Published
  • From left to right: Senior Airman (SrA) Chris, Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Thomas, and Senior Airman (SrA) Justin on guard after departing their Pave Hawk helicopter.
  • Senior Airman (SrA) Justin looking out from inside the helicopter. After taking on two difficult missions, Justin, Thomas, and Chris rush out during a storm to save a child caught in the crossfire.
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Thomas keeps watch from the helicopter. One of the aircraft's .50 caliber machine guns looms in the background.
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Thomas with a helicopter close. For Thomas, being a PJ is something he's spent his entire life preparing for.
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Thomas and another PJ keep watch while two others patrol the desert in the background.
  • Senior Airman (SrA) Justin alert on the ground in Kandahar province.
  • Senior Airman (SrA) Justin and another PJ are pulled into a helicopter that is already airborne.
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Thomas and Senior Airman (SrA) Chris in their Pave Hawk helicopter right before takeoff. A door gunner mans the .50 caliber M2 next to SSgt Thomas.
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Thomas, Senior Airman (SrA) Chris, and Senior Airman (SrA) Justin on patrol by their helicopter's landing zone.
  • Senior Airman (SrA) Justin looking out from the helicopter cabin with dunes in the background.
  • Senior Airman (SrA) Justin, with a Pave Hawk helicopter in the background.
  • Senior Airman (SrA) Justin on guard after departing his team's Pave Hawk helicopter.

  • Staying Alert

    Photograph by NGT

    From left to right: Senior Airman (SrA) Chris, Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Thomas, and Senior Airman (SrA) Justin on guard after departing their Pave Hawk helicopter.

  • Flying Out

    Photograph by NGT

    Senior Airman (SrA) Justin looking out from inside the helicopter.  After taking on two difficult missions, Justin, Thomas, and Chris rush out during a storm to save a child caught in the crossfire.

  • Mission Bound

    Photograph by NGT

    Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Thomas keeps watch from the helicopter. One of the aircraft's .50 caliber machine guns looms in the background. 

  • Ready to Go

    Photograph by NGT

    Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Thomas with a helicopter close.  For Thomas, being a PJ is something he's spent his entire life preparing for.

  • Keeping Watch

    Photograph by NGT

    Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Thomas and another PJ keep watch while two others patrol the desert in the background. 

  • On Guard

    Photograph by NGT

    Senior Airman (SrA) Justin alert on the ground in Kandahar province.

  • Mid-Flight Pick-Up

    Photograph by NGT

    Senior Airman (SrA) Justin and another PJ are pulled into a helicopter that is already airborne.

  • Geared to Go

    Photograph by NGT

    Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Thomas and Senior Airman (SrA) Chris in their Pave Hawk helicopter right before takeoff. A door gunner mans the .50 caliber M2 next to SSgt Thomas. 

  • Patrolling the Zone

    Photograph by NGT

    Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Thomas, Senior Airman (SrA) Chris, and Senior Airman (SrA) Justin on patrol by their helicopter's landing zone. 

  • Sun and Sand

    Photograph by NGT

    Senior Airman (SrA) Justin looking out from the helicopter cabin with dunes in the background.

  • Manning the Helicopter

    Photograph by NGT

    Senior Airman (SrA) Justin, with a Pave Hawk helicopter in the background.

  • Post-Landing

    Photograph by NGT

    Senior Airman (SrA) Justin on guard after departing his team's Pave Hawk helicopter. 

5 comments
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Richard Smith
Richard Smith

It seemed like the command element was a little overly cautious before sending the PJ's out to evacuate the casualties.  I know it's the Air Force but combat zones are inherently dangerous and the Army guys are  out there getting attacked on a daily basis. The Air Force should take a much more aggressive posture. Why are the AF tours of duty only 4 months when the Army and Marines were doing 12-18 months?

Kyle Moy
Kyle Moy

@Richard Smith Almost all SOFs have shorter deployments because their OP tempo is much higher. Also anyone in charge is generally a little worried sending in their SOF medics and birds. These medics take atleast 2 years to train (not including their normal pipeline, which is generally another year to two years) and they are worth alot of money. I am not saying they should not be aggressive, but a injured medic is no good to anyone. Also adding blackhawks to the equation brings in a whole other issue. Birds are also worth alot of money and they are giant targets. Atleast when they are in the air they are mobile, but when they land they are sitting ducks. These guys need to set the conditions for it to be as safe as possible otherwise worst case scenario, the blackhawk and the PJ get blown out of the air and that patient is no where closer to being brought to a hospital. All this being said, PJs will get their patients out of there or die trying,

Halo Jumper
Halo Jumper

@Kyle Moy @Richard SmithWell put Kyle.  Most people don't understand the AF resources as they relate to other Armed Forces SFs.  They believe we should all be the same and act in the same capacity.  If that was the case, there would be one Armed Force.  The pipeline is tough (if you don't wash out) and Med training at Kirtland AFB is even tougher, mentally.  The AF's more "aggressive posture" is in the air (less we forget).

-Silver Team Member
Nellis AFB, NV