"Introducing K9 Pits"-

K9 Pits will be working alongside the Special Warfare Airmen of the 123 STS in Kentucky. Once trained, her duties will be to help her team locate lost persons in the local area, respond to natural disasters, and assist in all CivSAR and CSAR responses they could find themselves executing. This means through any infil/exfil methods her team could employ; MFF, helicopter, maritime, tactical wheeled vehicles, and/or overland. Any Place. Any Time. Anywhere. First There. That Others May Live. Hooyah!

 

 

Namesake William H Pitsenbarger.
Medal of Honor Citation: Airman First Class Pitsenbarger distinguished himself by extreme valor on April 11, 1966 near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam, while assigned as a Pararescue Crew Member, Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. On that date, Airman Pitsenbarger was aboard a rescue helicopter responding to a call for evacuation of casualties incurred in an on-going firefight between elements of the United States Army's 1st Infantry Division and a sizable enemy force approximately 35 miles east of Saigon. With complete disregard for personal safety, Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to ride a hoist more than one hundred feet through the jungle, to the ground. On the ground, he organized and coordinated rescue efforts, cared for the wounded, prepared casualties for evacuation, and insured that the recovery operation continued in a smooth and orderly fashion. Through his personal efforts, the evacuation of the wounded was greatly expedited. As each of the nine casualties evacuated that day were recovered, Pitsenbarger refused evacuation in order to get one more wounded soldier to safety. After several pick-ups, one of the two rescue helicopters involved in the evacuation was struck by heavy enemy ground fire and was forced to leave the scene for an emergency landing. Airman Pitsenbarger stayed behind, on the ground, to perform medical duties. Shortly thereafter, the area came under sniper and mortar fire. During a subsequent attempt to evacuate the site, American forces came under heavy assault by a large Viet Cong force. When the enemy launched the assault, the evacuation was called off and Airman Pitsenbarger took up arms with the besieged infantrymen. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute vital ammunition to American defenders. As the battle raged on, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for the wounded, pull them out of the line of fire, and return fire whenever he could, during which time, he was wounded three times. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. In the vicious fighting which followed, the American forces suffered 80 percent casualties as their perimeter was breached, and airman Pitsenbarger was finally fatally wounded. Airman Pitsenbarger exposed himself to almost certain death by staying on the ground, and perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen. His bravery and determination exemplify the highest professional standards and traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Air Force"
"Pits is still awaiting a few more veterinarian entry exams before she officially becomes K9 Callie's protege and a member of the AFSPECWAR SAR Pup family... but what better day to announce her to the world than today: 56 years, to the day, after SrA Pitsenbarger laid down his life in the service of others in the most extreme last full measure"

 

Service Update for Joel Tally

 

Memorial service will be at Davis Watkins, Fort Walton Beach, April 29, 2022. Visitation 10:00, Service 11:00 with follow on military internment at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Fl. There will be a processional to Barrancas for those who wish to attend.  
Obituary will be in the paper Sunday before services.  On line will be earlier at Davis Watkins.

 

PJ/CRO Graduation and Banquet

Class 22-01

29 April 2022

 

The Commander, Lt Col Peter J. Dyrud, and Commandant, CMSgt Michael J. Rubio, of the 351^st Special Warfare Training Squadron (Pararescue and Combat Rescue Officer School) cordially invite you to attend the graduation ceremony of Class 22-01 on Friday, 29 April 2022 at the Marriott Albuquerque (Uptown) 2101 Louisiana Boulevard NE.

 

Click the link below or copy and paste link to your web browser:  

https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=634146&k=046246087F51

 

22 Apr 2022 -RSVP Due

25 Apr 22-Payment Due

26 Apr 22 Aug- All unpaid RSVPs will be cancelled/no refunds for cancellations after this day

 

Be advised, this event is sponsored by the Pararescue Association and is optional for all graduates and attendees. COVID risk mitigations will be taken as required.

 

PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO PAYMENTS MADE AT THE EVENT

 

POC:

SSgt Amanda Michel

amanda.michel@us.af.mil

505-853-4911

 

 

 

Illira Group - Edward Andrews

PJRing.com - Brian Hayes

TribalCo - John Voinche

 

Ramón "CZ" and Janet Colón-López, SEAC, USAF,

   Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 

Brian Hicks

Mitch Cohan

Daniel Rodriguez

George Drees

Doug Horka

Craig Teeters

Darrell Pitts

Jim Poole

John Voinche

 

Last Years PJ / CRO Graduation