PJs in Djibouti ready to jump 24-7

PJs in Djibouti ready to jump 24-7
By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Feb 23, 2008 7:29:58 EST

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti — The airmen charged with personnel recovery in the Horn of Africa aren’t called on very often, but they don’t let that deter them from training whenever they can.

On Feb. 14, airmen from the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron of Moody Air Force Base, Ga., took flight for more than five hours to hone their skills and enable pararescumen from the 82nd EQRS, also deployed to Africa from Moody Air Force Base, to get in static line and freefall jumps.

The 81st has two C-130 aircraft in Djibouti and three crews, said Senior Airman Geoff Koppel, a loadmaster. In case of an emergency, the airmen work hand-in-hand with the Marines who operate the CH-53 helicopters in theater to airlift U.S. personnel out of harm’s way.

“We sit alert 24-7,” Koppel said. “We can be airborne in 30 minutes.”

During the Feb. 14 training mission, 19 pararescumen, soldiers and airmen participated in static line jumps and a freefall before the pilots took off for the heavy-duty flying.


Rest of Africom article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/airforce_djibouti_pararescuemen_022308w/