MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Alaska Air National Guard Trains with Coast Guard

JANUARY 24, 2023 – Undulating waves pitched the 2,000-ton U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cypress like a bath toy, which was nothing unusual for the vessel while operating in Pacific waters off Alaska.

What was out of place was the 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopter hovering overhead. Fast ropes dropped from the Pave Hawk’s open doors, and U.S. Coast Guardsmen of Maritime Security Response Team West rapidly streamed down to the deck like firefighters descending a fire pole.

Keeping watch over the ballet of tactical infiltration was Alaska Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Richard Stout, 210th RQS HH-60 special missions aviator. He had to keep an eye on the helicopter’s relative position to the cutter, assist the MSRT operators to safely exit and ensure the ship’s movements were within safety limits.

All in a day’s work for 210th RQS and the elite MSRT members who teamed up for the recent training.

The 210th RQS flies the Pave Hawk, the only rotary wing platform in the Department of Defense solely dedicated to combat search and rescue of downed pilots and other isolated U.S. and allied personnel.

Alaska Air National Guard Maj. Tyler Seibold, 210th RQS Pave Hawk pilot, said the HH-60 is well-suited to supporting fast rope operations, a core task for 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen and combat rescue officers.

Seibold said the Pave Hawk has wide doors on both sides of the aircraft, whereas the Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk only has one door on the starboard side due to large port fuel tanks that give the Jayhawk superior unrefueled range. The Pave Hawk’s Fast-Rope Insertion Extraction System is a heavy-duty, machined bar bolted into the helicopter’s roof that extends from the doors as an anchor for the ropes.

The Pave Hawk and Jayhawk employ rescue hoists suited for the deliberate insertion of rescue personnel and the safe extraction of those rescued. The fast rope allows pararescue to rapidly infiltrate a contested area and quickly carry out a rescue while the helicopter provides overwatch and support with its GAU-18 .50-caliber machine gun or the 4,000 rounds-per-minute GAU-2 7.62 mm minigun.

Alaska Air National Guard Maj. Paul Rauenhorst, HH-60 pilot and 176th Operations Group chief of standards and evaluations, said a tumultuous sea state throughout the week made for especially difficult training.

“The rolling seas definitely made it challenging to get the operators off and on the ship in such a confined space,” he said.

Flying with the pilots were 210th RQS special missions aviators responsible for working closely with the operators to ensure a safe fast rope while providing a critical extra set of eyes.

“I’m new to the job, so this is my first time working with moving vessels,” Stout said. “It’s very challenging because everything is moving, and the situation is very dynamic. Normally, we’re in a stationary hover, but we’re flying at the same speed and heading as the boat, holding position and delivering the operators safely.”

Sustainability Sooner

Rauenhorst underscored the value of working with mission partners Airmen may see again during domestic operations and overseas contingencies.

“These are some of the operators we might meet downrange, so it’s good to work with them in case we see them on future deployments,” Rauenhorst said. “It’s also good, flying-wise, to experience different mission sets that are outside of search and rescue. It’s a different but challenging aspect working with the ships down here at Kodiak.”

By David Bedard
176th Wing Public Affairs

Comments

Filed Under: Coast Guard, National Guard, News

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Welcome to Jungle Training Environment

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 – A team of Marine Raiders recently completed a jungle tracking and mobility course as part of their pre-deployment training program. The course, administered by instructors from the Tactical Tracking Operations School, teaches mobility in a jungle environment, rope and rappel work, jungle tracking, and anti-tracking techniques. For roughly two weeks, the […]

DoD Must Be Employer of Choice to Meet Manpower Goals

JUNE 7, 2023 – America depends on volunteers for its military. On Jan. 27, 1973, Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird Jr. announced that the U.S. military would fill its ranks exclusively with volunteers rather than with draftees. On July 1, 1973, the military draft ended. Today, to meet recruitment and retention goals, the Defense […]

Changes to ArmyIgnitED Education Portal

AUGUST 9, 2023 – Recent changes to ArmyIgnitED, the Army’s online portal for requesting financial assistance for higher education, mean new requirements for both new and current users, an education services specialist here said. Effective Aug. 1, all Soldiers new to ArmyIgnitED who are seeking tuition assistance or credentialing assistance must attend an introductory briefing. […]

DAV’s Employment Program Helps Veterans with Job Prospects

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 – The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) employment program connects transitioning active duty service members, Veterans, and members of the Guard and Reserve to employment prospects. One way DAV does this is through its partnership with RecruitMilitary, which aims to empower the military community through career opportunities. DAV and RecruitMilitary have teamed up […]

Everything You Need to Know About SDDC Bonds

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 – If you’re looking to invest your money in a way that’s both financially sound and socially responsible, Socially Responsible Development Corporation (SDDC) bonds could be an excellent option for you. SDDC bonds are a unique type of investment that not only offers a solid return on your investment but also contributes […]

Recent Posts

  • Welcome to Jungle Training Environment
  • Army Astronaut Returns From Space Station
  • Infant Safe Sleep Guidelines Work for Military Parents
  • Official Says Shutdown Would Damage National Defense
  • Austin Visits Camp Lemonnier During Trip to Africa
MAINMENU




SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2023 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.