Pararescuemen Hitting the Streets: Air Force Reserve Command MSgt. Jim Johnston from Florida has been making calls with the Tucson Fire Department’s paramedics since February, treating patients ranging from the elderly to alcoholics on the streets of the Arizona city. Johnston is one of approximately 12 pararescuemen from across the US that is working with the TFD to improve their emergency response skills, reports the Arizona Daily Star. The training is conducted through Pima Community College, which won a $60,000 contract let by Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., to offer such classes to USAF rescue personnel. “In the military you’re mainly working on young, healthy people,” Johnston told the Star, saying the new environment is definitely putting his responder skills to the test.
The withdrawal of about 700 U.S. forces from Somalia required a massive nocturnal airlift, movement of fighters and tankers from the Middle East, and other overwatch from drones and other special operations aircraft, all planned and executed within weeks. The mission, called Operation Octave Quartz, came after former President Donald…