The Essence of Duty: "That Others May Live"
As well as making custom knives, I have also photographed our nation's top military rescue service: The United States Air Force Pararescue (The PJs). They are an amazing group of servicemen (learn more about them here). I've accompanied them on their training missions, photographically recording their endeavors and excursions, then invested considerable time in my darkroom tuning in the finished prints that hang on the walls of the USAF Pararescue School at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I've even matted, mounted, and made the fine frames by hand. Here you will see a select few images of my work, and even some casual shots.
This is the "Superman" school, where America trains the most "elite" of fighting and rescue forces. There may be thousands of Green Berets and Navy Seals, but there are a mere 300 Pararescuemen. Unlike those other ops, PJs are out to save lives. They're "Emergency Medical Technicians-Extreme." They endure a two year pipeline, with the toughest curriculum in the military.
Try this:
- Swim 25 meters underwater in one breath
- Swim 1000 meters sidestroke or freestyle in under 26 minutes
- Run 1.5 miles in under 10:30
- Pull eight chin-ups in 1:00
- Do 50 sit-ups in under 2:00
- Push 50 push-ups in under 2:00
- Finish 50 flutter-kicks in under 2:00
- Do all the items above in three hours!
And that's just the physical test. They are trained in blocks of emergency medicine, parachuting, firearms, tactics, evasion and escape, underwater rescue, mountain rescue, and navigation.
How many PJs can you see in the bush? Try for 5!
Please take some time to learn more about these fine men at these sites.
