Pararescue Association Service Award

The Pararescue Association Service Award is a newly established award in honor of two distinct forefathers of the association, Kerry (KO) Kelly and William (Bill) Vargas.  The award is presented to an individual or individuals that have distinguished themselves for continued contributions and support to the Pararescue Association and more importantly to the Pararescue community at large.  The individuals receiving this award tonight have given of themselves untiring time, energy, and support for the improvement of the association and its mission.  Through their contributions the Pararescue community has benefited immensely.  Following in the character and fashion of KO and Bill, these individuals have accomplished numerous tasks, behind the scene, without receiving deserving recognition for their contributions.  

It is most fitting to honor Barbara Kelly, Dennis Kraft, Douglas Horka, James Watson, Bill Watson, Ryan Beckmann and now Bob Lapointe for their untiring contributions to the Pararescue Association. 

2025 Inductions

Join us this year at the Reunion Banquet Saturday night as we recognize these two awesome indidvidauls and their contributions!!

Larry Wellington

2025 Honorary PJ

Robert "Bob" Lapointe

Kelly/Vargas Award

Guest Speaker Chris Tellsworth and Special Appearance

 by Jessica Lynch

Please join us at this years Rodeo and Reunion as Chris Tellsworth shares his story on this great rescue, along with Jessica Lynch.  This will be the first time she has gotten to see and thank Chris and the others that came to her rescue.

Jessica Lynch was born in April of 1983 in Palestine, West Virginia, the second child and first daughter to Deadra Lynch and Gregory Lynch, Sr.  Her dream was to go to college and become a teacher, which she later achieved. After graduating high school in May of 2001, she thought she had life figured out, or so she thought. That summer an Army recruiter stopped by their home and soon Jessica and her older brother, Greg found themselves joining the U.S. Army. Their younger sister, Brandi was still in high school. 
 On September 19, 2001, Lynch entered basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. She later completed Advanced Individual Training for her Military Occupational Specialty as a unit supply specialist (MOS 92Y) in the Quartermaster Corps at Fort Lee, Virginia. Jessica then was stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas. While stationed at Fort Bliss Jessica met Lori Piestewa who became one of Jessica's best friends and roommate (AKA Battle Buddy). Lori grew up in Tuba City, Arizona on a Hopi Native American reservation. Jessica and Lori couldn't have been more different but somehow, they found everything in common.
In February 2003, Jessica's unit was deployed to Kuwait with standby orders for Iraq. On the morning of 23 March 2003, the 507th Maintenance Company Jessica was part of had mistakenly veered off Highway 8 and then turned toward the city into enemy-held territory. The US vehicles ran into an ambush, drawing enemy fire from every direction. Eleven American soldiers were killed and Jessica along with five others were taken prisoner. However, a few soldiers managed to escape the ambush and form a secure perimeter around their wounded. [Reference Honor Them Here] Jessica was held in captivity until she was rescued on April 1, 2003 for a total of nine days and the other five members of her unit were held captive for twenty-one days until they were released on April 12 2003. While in captivity in the Nasiriyah hospital, Piestewa died from her injuries. She was only 23 years old. Jessica was seriously injured. She suffered a broken back, right arm, right foot, left femur, left tibia, a laceration to her head, and several cracked ribs.   
On April 1, 2003, U.S. Marines from 3rd Battalion 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion 8th Marines and 2nd Battalion 1st Marines, as well as members from the Navy SEALs under the command of the U.S. Army, staged a diversionary attack, besieging nearby Iraqi irregulars to draw them away from Saddam Hospital (now named the Imam Hussein Teaching Hospital - 31°03'31.2"N 46°14'45.8"E) in Nasiriyah. Meanwhile, an element from the Joint Special Operations Task Force 121 composed of U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets), Air Force Pararescuemen (PJs), Army Rangers, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and Delta Force launched a nighttime raid on the hospital, and successfully retrieved Jessica and the bodies of eleven other American soldiers.
After her rescue, Jessica was transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, where she would start the physical healing process. On the flight to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the military medics kept her sedated and hydrated. Her family flew to Germany on April 5 to be reunited with her. In a statement, the hospital said, "Lynch had a big smile on her face when her parents arrived. Jessica underwent back surgery on April 3 to correct a vertebra that was putting pressure on her spinal cord. Since then, she continues to undergo several more surgeries to stabilize her fractures and still suffers from the injuries she received.
Jessica went on to complete her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and her Master's degree in Communication Studies. Today Jessica continues physical therapy for those injuries. She continues to persevere and speak to audiences young and old about her experience as a Prisoner of War (POW). [Reference Media Events] She continues to deliver speeches to business corporations, veteran organizations, universities, colleges, schools, and youth groups. In 2014 Jessica made her acting debut as specialist Summer L. Gabriel in the 2014 film Virtuous by JC Films. Her role was loosely based on her own experiences during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. She also had roles in other movies and one music video. [Reference Acting Film – Videos]
Today Jessica does her best to continue getting the message out about the U.S. government creating the false narrative and story about “Lynch’s Heroic Acts” as part of the Pentagon's propaganda effort. On April 24, 2007, she testified in front of United States Congress that she had never fired her weapon (her M16 rifle reportedly having jammed), and that she had been knocked unconscious when her vehicle crashed during the ambush. Lynch has been outspoken in her criticism of the original stories that were reported regarding her combat experience. When asked about her heroine status, she stated: "That wasn't me. I'm not about to take credit for something I didn't do... I'm just a survivor." Jessica wants to ensure that the story of the real heroes is told and the story of her fellow POW’s are told along side hers.

Chris Tellsworth is a Retired USAF Pararescueman and former Chief / Senior Enlisted Manager for the 306th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Chris now works as the AFSPECWAR Special Equipment Manager at the 306^th RQS, providing direct support services enabling its mission. He is a strategic leader and planner, an expert in organizing, equipping and training the world’s most elite rescue forces and special operators. He integrates operational subject matter expertise with equipment requirements to the DoD’s elite Personnel Recovery Operators.  Chris directs, supervises and sustains all work performed to have a positive impact to a no-fail mission. He is an expert on Joint Tactical Operations and the AFSPECWAR Guardian Angel Weapon System.

Chris is originally from Northern California’s central valley. He entered the Air Force in 1993 through Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas. In December of 1995 he graduated from the USAF Pararescue Apprentice Course, Kirtland AFB, NM. Chris has held a variety of tactical, operational and strategic positions throughout the Air Force (both Continental U.S. and overseas). He is a veteran that has participated in numerous joint special operations missions and tactical deployments to include Operations: SOUTHERN WATCH (1996-1998, Saudi Arabia/Kuwait), ENDURRING FREEDOM (initial assault/multiple deployments, 2001-2019), ENDURRING FREEDOM-Horn of Africa (HOA) (2005-2017), IRAQI FREEDOM (initial assault, 2003-2018), Italy& Turkey, JTF KATRINA (2005), JTF RITA (2005), JUKEBOX LOTUS (2014), and several JTF NASA Space Shuttle/Human Space Flight launch and recovery missions (1996-2019).

Chris is married to Victoria, they have two children, Ethan and Grace. Ethan is a junior at Arizona State University with aspirations to become an elite AFSPECWAR operator. Their daughter Grace is a Freshman at Embery Riddle University and is driven to commission in the Air Force as a pilot. When not spending time with his family, Chris is an avid workout fanatic, mountain bike & klunker bike rider, an outdoorsman, a shooter, a handyman and just an all-around good dude! 

ASSIGNMENTS:

2024-Present AFSPECWAR Special Mission Equipment Manager, The Peak Inc., Tucson AZ

2012-2024 Senior Program Manager, F3EA/68^th RQS, Tucson, AZ

2019-2021 Special Warfare Ground Operations Manager, Monterey Consultants/Red Flag Rescue, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ

Retired 2020- Chief Enlisted Manager, 306th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ 

-Pararescue/Guardian Angel Team Leader, 212th Rescue Squadron, Anchorage, AK 

-Special Tactics Team Leader, 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope AFB, NC 

-Pararescue Team Leader, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA 

-Pararescue Team Member, 41st Rescue Squadron, Patrick AFB, FL 

1994-1995 (DEC Graduation) Pararescue Pipeline & Apprentice Course, Kirtland AFB, NM

EDUCATION: 

2023 Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt certification

2021 Program Management Professional (PMP) certification

2017 Masters of Science Emergency Management and Disaster Response 

2014 Bachelors of Science Business Administration 

2012 Lone Operator Course, Top Operator

2011 Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course 

2011 Associates in Personnel Recovery Operations, Air force Community College

2004 Military Tandem & Tethered Bundle (MTTB) Course

2000 Pre-hospital Medical Care Provider/NREMT Paramedic 

1995 USAF Pararescue Apprentice Course 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS: 

Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, one oak leaf cluster 

Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters 

Air Force Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters 

Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster 

Joint Service Commendation Medal 

Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster 

Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster 

Air Force Combat Action Medal 

Air Force Combat Readiness Medal 

Air Force Good Conduct Medal 

National Defense Service Medal 

Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal 

Afghanistan Campaign Medal 

Iraq Campaign Medal 

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal 

Global War on Terrorism Medal 

Combat Parachute Jump Star Device 

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION/RETIREMENT: 

Chief Master Sergeant October 2011

Retired 01 February 2020