USAF Para-rescue
 

Hey guys, I was in the process of putting together a SEALs Loadout, but thought "ehh, its cliche". So, because most of the gear is similar, I was wondering if you could help me put together a thread for Para-rescue, in case anyone else wants to do the same. So any suggestions or list of crap I have to buy would be great.

What do you have now in your kit list?

Are you doing a pre-multicam setup or the present day stuff?

As of now I have...

-Both multicam and desert three color
-MICH2000 with all the fixins'
-Rappeling harness
-other misc. gear

I also have a CIRAS, but I dont know if PJs use them.

Google Images - USAF Pararescue:
http://www.motifake.com/image/demoti...1246027932.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DofLEXUVwI...rarescue+1.jpg
http://en.specwar.info/special-force...arescue-18.jpg
http://www.pararescue.com/uploadedIm..._01.jpg?n=6245
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...RESCUE/222.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...RESCUE/324.jpg
http://de.academic.ru/pictures/dewik...g_exercise.jpg
Apparently one of these guys below is USAF...
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b311/qwejibo/PJ_7.jpg
http://www.murdoconline.net/wp-conte...arescuemen.jpg

As I understand it, the Air Force gives PJs and other Spec-Ops personnel a great deal of latitude in selecting personal gear, uniforms, etc... So almost anything goes.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...-photos/page46

http://www.arniesairsoft.co.uk/forum...owtopic=106425

tons of PJ pic on milphoto and arnies

I'd say have a look here:
http://www.gearsoc.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=191 (there's both CCT and PJ in this thread, make sure you've got the right one)

More pics: (edit: Opps, KNIVES posted it before... anyway, good ref)
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...arescue-photos

Another thread, but with various SOF (including PJ's)... Warning: long thread is long. Some pics haven't been posted else where, afaik.
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...tates-SOF-pics


Choose a few pics showing what you're interested in. Then we'd be able to pinpoint you in the right direction for the gear.

Thanks for all the ref pics guys. They help allot. Im gonna go with three-color because I like the look lol. I also think, that because they have some leeway with there gear, Im gonna go with the CIRAS. MICHs seem to be kosher to. Questions I still need answered are...

-What type M4s do they use? SOPMOD?
Where can I find those "PJ" velcro patches?
-and is there a specific harness the wear?

Alot of USAF SF are using issued eagle airsave vests , arent made anymore by eagle but there are repros. Its a pretty kick ass chest rig and pretty rare.

They have quite a lot of leeway, yes, but I've never seen a CIRAS and I don't think they'd use one either.

They are not a combat unit per se. Yes, they do get into the fight when needed, but don't forget their objective is to extract the injured... they want to go fast, and a CIRAS (or RAV, or MTV, or any of the big plate carriers) does restrict movement and adds lots of weight.

I'm not a PJ specialist, but from what I remember, plate carriers I've seen include the LBT6094 and DBK FAPC. I'd have to dig a bit to find others, but it gives you an idea... these are (relatively) low-profile carriers, at least when compared to a CIRAS.
-

Well in that case, Conker, I think I'll try and get a decent LBT repro. Would you mind giving me a list of everything I'd have to plaster to the carrier? I like the loadout of the guy in the middle in the last picture that Tex posted.

Actually I was going to do a Combat Control Team (CCT) loadout....

Didn't actually get off the ground but you've actually piqued my interest in it again. Gonna do some more research and see what other info I can get that hasn't been mentioned.

If I'm not mistaken, this plate carrier is the Paraclete HPC with cummerbund in khaki. It has some specific modifications for PJs, the most obvious one being the large buckles on the shoulders.

As for pouches, well... I can see as well as you :P He's got single mag shingles, a smoke pouch on the side, some IR chemlights on the front... that's all I can make out from that pic.

The rule for a PJ is to setup your rig carry more first aid equipment than magazines for your rifle.

That's the main thing you need to watch for otherwise the way you stack your rig is left to the your judgment vs. a set in stone kit list. Best summed up by this comment I heard about life in the AF re non-standard kit; "Those who care can't tell, & those who can tell don't care".

Is the CCT more combat oriented? The more I research and understand the role of a PJ, the less practical the seem for airsoft use. And thanks Conker, Im not very good with the names of specific peices of gear. :/

You could be a "medic", lightweight loadout more oriented to team mate rescue.

As for CCT, yeah they're more combat oriented but from what I've read (yeah.... I'm a walt/chairsofter) they try to avoid combat instead favouring clandestine operations while providing ATC (Air Traffic Control) services and support to the main insertion/battle force. Their main mission is to be forward pathfinders/rangers and scout out locations ahead of the main battle force and since they're not heavily armed seem to prefer non engagement.

Just go as a CIA Officer! Show up in plain clothes, bullet proof vest, sunglasses, and a sidearm. Demand supplies be given to you as needed and start bossing everyone around even though they have no idea who you even are.

After reading "Not a Good Day To Die" and "Roughneck Nine-One", CCTs and ETACs are just as capable of fighting as other Spec-Ops personnel, but their main role when teamed up with SEAL teams and Special Forces ODAs is to call in airstrikes, and manage the planes and I'd targets. So think extra radios and laser range finder/target designater devices.

Awesome.

Try it at your next game. Show up with just a pistol, and demand a rifle and ammo from your teammates, as well as a radio, water, etc..

I literaly just laughed for like 20 minutes. But yeah, it seams as though a CCT loadout would be more useful. If only I had a way to call in strikes...

What do you mean by clandestine operations? They have been involved in some major battles attached to various SOF units and dropping bombs all over the Afghan mountains and in Iraq, etc As well, mission dependent they've been involved in combat, and some very large battles.


What CCTs do, from the USAF site
http://www.airforce.com/careers/deta...l-males-only/#

For Airstrikes, keep a guy back at respawn point with a grenade/nerf rocket launcher. When a target is found, call him on a cell phone and talk him into re target...

For he CIA, have your team set up an ambush. When the enemy walks into the killzone, tell your team to hold fire. Use your cell phone to take a picture of the enemy pointman. Then transmit the picture to someone who couldn't make it to the game, and ask them for a positive I'd of the subject, and request confirmation of the subjects status as a legitimate target. Then tell your team to stand down when the guy in town tells you the picture is too fuzzy for a positive ID.

Or before the game send free airsoft gear and weapons to the enemy team and train them.

Then during the game keep complaining how hard it is for your team to beat them :D

I LIKE IT! Do both, and make sure the guy you try to ID is one of the guys you trained.

Thanks Skeltor for the informational ownage. It seems like the CCT units are more combat capable, and if I had an airsoft Ac130 or F18, Id be golden lol.

Well.... it seems you know a lot more than me. I'm honestly just "one of those military posers/walts/chairsofters" and what I've found I've found using wikipedia.

Also by clandestine operations I meant like clandestine insertion and then directing the main battle force, airstrikes, supply drops, etc. to where it needs to be.

Also, yes they are attached to SOF units. According to wikipedia, (sounds bad I know but this is the internet not like a university research thing) they are routinely attached to Army Rangers, SF, and SEAL teams.

What a coincidence... NBC posted an interview with a PJ in A-stan this morning...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540...24483#40324483

Looks like Sgt. Settle is wearing Crye BDUs (with the built in knee and elbow pads).

Don't use wiki as a source especially when there's a lot of legit sites and info on the net.

Directing the main battle force? They aren't running the battle and ordering troop movement etc. That's a ground commanders job not CCT. CCTs are enablers and do what they can to support the ground commander in completing his mission. I'm just on my phone right now but when I'm back on my computer I'll post up some websites etc that have info on CCT.

Roger that. I'll back down now. I totally admit I'm an idiot that will believe anything on wikipedia. If it said the number of African Elephants has tripled in the last few months I would totally believe that (if using it for research I would have to verify it through scientific journal articles though).

http://www.afsoc.af.mil/
http://www.afsoc.af.mil/library/fact...eet.asp?id=201
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/airfo...batcontrol.htm
http://combatcontrolnet.blogspot.com/
http://www.specialtactics.com/cctmain.shtml

Being sold by "army_wife_4_life". Honey, where's my old vest?

Bandito Bros had some behind the scenes clips from the USAF ad they did but it's not up on their site anymore. Did anyone save them? They were pretty good.

There are usually a few good PJ shots in here too. http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/afghanistan/

You mean the ones where its all futuristic, and they have those nifty ESS thermal/night-vison HUDs? lol

Here is the one Im reffering too.
http://www.specwargear.com/images/vest-USAF-2.jpg
I have a bunch of pics of pj's and cct's wearing them on my hd but cant find any online anywhere.

That's straight old school EI kit right there!!!

You can't go wrong with a Paraclete HPC in CB with a mix of TT/ATS/Paraclete pouches with either a PACA or Paraclete CVC in mesh

That's the finished product but there's a big chunk of behind the scenes that led to that.

Thats actualy what inspired me to build a PJ loadout. lol If only I had those goggles...

Has anyone seen this series?
Inside Combat Rescue (Episode 1) Visions of War - YouTube

National Geographic
Inside Combat Rescue

I haven't. It was advertised on spike for natgeo but it for some reason isn't I. The program line up. I think it's a Canadian tv provider thing why it's not avail. Unless I'm wronge and its just Telus

Thanks for the link ShadowNet, much appreciated.

That was a difficult watch, especially the part regarding the SF medic.

edit: here the link for episode two in HD

[HD] Inside Combat Rescue - Episode 2 - YouTube

Ep 3 Inside Combat Rescue - Episode 3 - Into the Fire HD - YouTube

Episode 4 up.
Inside Combat Rescue - Episode 4 - In the Crossfire - YouTube

Episode 5:
Inside Combat Rescue (Part 5)- Fog of War (HD) - YouTube

Episode 6:
Inside Combat Rescue (Part 6) - Coming Home HD - YouTube

I finally watched em up to date. I really like the show. Makes me sad I was never shown that opportunity when I was younger, that's where I would have wound up I'm sure. Out of all the services the pj always interested me

At any rate I'm lovin all the multicam and their gear setups. A lot of unique ideas. I understand they are medics first gunfighters second, but a lot of how they have pouches placed I'm thinking I'm going to Try and incorporate.

Reading through this, I'm surprised nobody has linked this yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1dmJia6IqM

This guy did a loadout video mimicking a PJ and comparing what he has to what I've seen from "Inside Combat Rescue", it looks fairly spot on.

*WARNING* He is wearing a LOT of REAL Crye Precision, so prepare to be crying through your wallet.