Moody prepared for war against America's enemies

Published 8:24 pm Monday, December 5, 2005

MOODY AIR FORCE — Eight miles outside the Valdosta city limits, units from Moody Air Force wait like the rest of the United States. They wait for the signal that will launch them into the war against terrorism.

The common perception from the civilian community is that Moody AFB is aware of when its units might be deployed. In reality, they have no idea if or when it may occur; but, make no mistake, they are ready.

Three squadrons with the 347th Rescue Wing comprise the only active duty combat search and rescue (CSAR) unit in the Air Force, a mission that will require them to find and retrieve pilots that may be shot down. All three squadrons constantly train together and have formed cohesively into the world’s best CSAR unit. They are the 38th Rescue Squadron, consisting of the elite pararescuemen (PJs), highly trained medics with additional airborne (static line and freefall), scuba and mountaineering skills.

These men have the responsibility of going on the ground, placing themselves in harm’s way to rescue downed pilots. Their motto, “That Others May Live,” is indicative of their courage and dedication.

There is the 41st RQS, a unit essential to the CSAR mission, consisting of HH-60 Pavehawk helicopters. Each helicopter has a four-man crew: an aircraft commander, co-pilot, flight engineer and a gunner. They are the ones who fly low into enemy territory transporting the two PJs assigned to each helicopter to a downed pilot’s location.

Last but not least, the 71st RQS flies in the HC-130 aircraft, manned by a crew of six men: an aircraft commander, co-pilot, navigator, flight engineer, radio operator and load master. These aircraft have a dual responsibility of providing inflight refueling to the Pavehawks, ensuring they arrive at the rescue location. They also can deliver the PJs via airborne operations, whether it be by static line or military freefall parachuting.

Within these squadrons, there is no weak link. Each depends heavily on the other. There is the inter-squadron rivalry, and jokes are made, but that is common in the military. In truth, these units have a deep respect for each other.

Senior Airman Joseph Spadavecchia, 21, 38th RQS, graduated from the Pararescue School, Kirkland AFB, N.M., in January. He initially became a PJ to see if he could do it.

“It developed into something more,” Spadavecchia said. “It changes your whole attitude in how you do things.”

Since the attack on Sept. 11, he hasn’t noticed a difference in the 38th’s training. “The training shouldn’t change at all,” Spadavecchia said. “We should always be ready.

Spadavecchia is from Long Island, N.Y., and the attack took on a personal meaning for him. Three of the firemen killed came from his hometown, and he had no hesitation in expressing his anger. “I’m in the position now where I can have a direct effect on the possible future,” he said. “New York had a direct effect on me.”

Senior Airman Armin Sahrai, 23, 38th RQS, has been in the Air Force for about four years and been a PJ about two years. Born in Iran, he came to the United States in 1985 with his mother, father and brother when he was 7. Sahrai’s father had graduated from Montgomery College, Washington, D.C., and returned to Iran. “After the revolution, he wanted a better life for his family,” Sahrai said.

Like most Americans, Sahrai views the attack as tragic; but, he said, it’s brought the nation together. “It saddens me that something like this happened,” he said. “The Middle East people as a group are good, but every group has its bad seeds.”

He’s seen an attitude change in the unit. “Our intensity has gone up, but it’s training as usual,” he said. “But, at the drop of the hat, we’re ready to go. We’re proud to serve our country — we’re proud to fight for America.”

Senior Airman Ben McElyea, 23, 38th RQS, has been a PJ for about three years. He showed the confidence that is found in the military, especially within the ranks of elite units. He comes from a rural background and wanted a change in his life.

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I come from Central Illinois — the land of beans and corn,” he said. He volunteered for the PJs because of their unique role that differs from other special operations units. “I came in to help people rather than hurt people,” he said.

McElyea echoed the sentiments of his fellow PJs about the preparedness of 38th RQS. “Everybody has been ready since the attack,” he said. “We’re usually ready to go, but now we’re foaming at the mouth.”

The 38th maintains a high morale as normal and is still going about its business of training. Like most Americans, they have no idea what awaits for them. “We’re very motivated,” said Maj. Terry Johnson, director of operations, 38th RQS. “We’re training as before, and wherever our nation needs us to do and go — we’re ready for it.”

Less than a mile from the 38th’s location, HC-130s belonging to the 71st RQS are parked near the runways under increased security. The aircraft and their crews are ready to go at moments notice. Other than the increased security, one would never know these men might be going to war at any time. The attitude among the crews is business as usual. They’ve been in this line of work for too long. They still trade jokes with each other. For them, it’s just another day at the office.

“We’re taking care of business as always,” said Capt. Rob Leeds, 29, a navigator, 71st RQS. “There’s no difference — we’re used to doing things like this.”

First Lt. Jason Crawford, co-pilot, 71st RQS has been with the squadron for just nine months and makes no secret of why he chose to fly the C-130. “I just like the idea of rescue,” he said. “I wanted to be in a tactical aircraft — C-130 rather than fighters, bombers or bigger transports.”

During his short stay at the 71st, he has been deployed in Turkey in the Northern Watch area conducting training in CSAR missions. As far as being prepared to go to war is concerned, he feels confident about the capabilities of his aircraft crew. “This is the thing we train for,” he said. “The 71st does it all the time.”

Capt. Chris Schwartz, 32, aircraft commander, 71st RQS, is an Air Force Academy graduate and has been in the Air Force for 10 years. He has been with the 71st for for two years and just returned from his fourth deployment to Kuwait where he was involved with CSAR missions. “We’re being flexible, everybody is enthusiastic and doing whatever is asked of them,” Schwartz said.”

Managing the aircraft systems and determining its performance falls on the shoulders of Tech Sgt. E.J. Delgado, 36, who has 18 years in the Air Force. “The loss of lives due to the terrorists’ attacks was a great loss to the country,” he said. “There’s that hole — why and how could it happen? We’re no different from the general public, wanting to know what happened.”

Staff Sgt. Brian McAfee, 25, a load master with the 71st RQS, has been doing his job for five years and waits for the opportunity if his HC-130 is deployed. “If the need arises, I’m willing to do my part,” he said.

The reality of the attack hit home with Staff Sgt. Brian Loek, 25, radio operator on board one of the HC-130s with the 71st. “There is a shock about how this could happen,” he said. “I lived overseas for 15 years due to my father being in the Army. I never thought it would be this devastating.”

The six man HC-130 crew’s general consensus is that they are ready to go if called on.

Sharing the same building with the 38th is the 41st RQS that works on a daily basis with the PJs. These helicopter crews put their lives on the line constantly, flying low level night and day missions — without complaint.

Staff Sgt. Tim Toscano, 34, flight engineer, has been in Air Force for 16 years. Five years ago, he switched from working with F-16s to the slower-moving HH-60 Pavehawk. “I was ready for a change,” he said.

Toscano said he felt disbelief when he learned of the Sept. 11 attacks, then anger, then an urge for payback.

In regard to his fellow aircraft crew members, Toscano said he would go anywhere with any of them. “If they didn’t know their job, they wouldn’t be here.”

“I think the vast part of pe

ople on active duty want be a part of what happens,” said Capt. Robert Lindblom, aircraft commander, 41st RQS. He has been with the 71st for about two years. “We’re one of the most heavily deployed units in the Air Force,” Lindblom said. “For us, it’s a matter of business.”

Staff Sgt. Brian Hill, 25, aircraft gunner, 41st RQS, resembles a middle linebacker and is confident in the ability of his crew and his squadron.

“I’m the gunner,” Hill said, a remark that drew laughter from his crew. This humor is part of the camaraderie present within such units. But they are thankful for his skill in operating the GAU-2B, a 7.62 gatling machine gun firing 4,000 rounds a minute. “Me personally, I’m ready to go,” Hill said.

First Lt. Martin Crawford, 25, co-pilot, 41st RQS, has been flying HH-60s for almost two years. “I don’t like the idea of flying high and fast,” he said. “I like the idea of rescuing people and being down where the action is. It’s more exhilarating flying at 50 feet than 2,000.”

There is a feeling of pride in the 41st, Lindblom said. “I think we have the best job in the Air Force — to bring the good guys back home,” he said.

Moody’s pararescuemen, helicopter and C-130 crews have been training constantly for such an event.

Now they can only wait. But if they are called on, it’s Lindblom statement about his unit’s mission capabilities that best describes all three squadrons. “We’re good at it — damn good.”



To contact reporter Rip Prine, please call 244-3400, ext. 237.