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BULLSEYE News 9July 3, 2015
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ANNIVERSARY, from page 8 ____ “Having been at the beginning and seeing “This was a direct descendent of that
what they’re able to do today and the level decision to fix a critical mission area
honor our past graduates, leaders and flyers of skill and sophistication is unbelievable.” after Operation Desert Storm where it
to include the students set to graduate on was perceived that we could have done
June 27,” said Lt. Col. Joe “Krusty” Alkire, — Retired Col. Tim “Ghandi” Healy much better,” said Healy. “I feel that this
34th WPS commander. “We want people organization gives so much and helps
to have a chance to share stories and com- recent years is the emphasis on joint force Combat Command commander at that prepare the current warfighting force so
miserate with each other, in a formal set- integration,” said Alkire. “It’s been pres- time, Gen. Michael Lowe, brought the well for what they have to face in com-
ting where people haven’t seen each other ent in varying degrees, but the weight of combat rescue mission into ACC,” said bat, and we’ve had a lot of combat since
in a while, in some cases even 20 years.” effort we put into it now is far different Healy. “He knew that the home of tacti- 1991 when this idea was first germinated
than what it was even 10 years ago. cal mission planning and expertise and until today.
Retired Col. Tim “Ghandi” Healy, excellence was here at Nellis AFB.”
34th WPS commander from 1999-2001, “We are really pushing our students “The success that the Air Force com-
was one of many in attendance for the into a joint force level initiative with a Healy went on to add, “They did that bat rescue has had is directly attributable
reunion. knowledge base and skill set to ensure initially through an interim organiza- to all the hard work of many people over
they know how to employ, teach, in- tion known as the combat rescue school, many years here at the Weapons School.
“Having been at the beginning and see- struct, and how to execute in a joint force which eventually disbanded and pushed Not just the HH-60 squadron, but all the
ing what they’re able to do today and the environment. In today’s world, that’s a various functions like operational testing squadrons have contributed to that.”
level of skill and sophistication is unbeliev- reality.” and advanced training that the weapons
able,” said Healy. “It is an amazing story of school gives, into appropriate organiza- Both commanders agreed that
an organization driving for improvement The squadron, Healy said, was born tions.” having the 20th anniversary reunion
class after class after class. When you have out of necessity. was a good way for the old and new
the luxury to step back and come back and Eventually, the disbandment of the members to meet and bridge the gap to
see what they’re doing, it’s phenomenal, the “After Desert Storm, when Air Force combat rescue school led to the train- help ensure continuity and comradery
level of professionalism and skill. I think rescue had not been present in sufficient ing mission for the HH-60G division are not lost.
it’s why we’ve been successful in combat numbers or capability to rescue those in the USAFWS.
over the last 24 to 26 years.” that could have been rescued, the Air “It helps the current force understand
that there is a long continuity of folks
Over the years, many changes have who support them, believe in what they
been made to the curriculum being do, understand how hard it is, the sacri-
taught at the 34th WPS. fices that they make and that people are
there for them,” said Healy.
“The biggest change that occurred in
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