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The course was designed to teach 36th Medical Group and 36th Security Forces Squadron Airmen how to operate compound mechanical advantage systems to execute rescue missions.
“We extended the invitation to [mission-essential personnel] with the intent of strengthening emergency response capabilities,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Francisco Bolanos, 554th REDHORSE instructor. “By training all key players together, we aimed to improve coordination and increase the effectiveness of rescue operations.”
During the first week, the students completed rope rescue awareness training where they learned about knots and mechanical advantages.
“[The students] come in with almost no baseline knowledge and by the time they leave, they are speaking in technical terms and super excited from it,” said Bolanos . “Seeing their growth is something else.”
After the first week, students were evaluated on rope rescue operations to become certified in high angle, low angle, and confined space rescue.
The instructors emphasized the importance of attention to detail due to the dangerous risks high altitudes pose when executing rescue operations.
“When you are doing this for an actual person, you feel that onus,” said Master Sgt Sean Cantrell, an instructor for the REDHORSE squadron. “I am going to check 3 or 4 times to make sure everything’s right. I don’t want him or her getting hurt because I didn’t check something.”
The 554th REDHORSE squadron continues to strive in supporting contingency, peacetime, and humanitarian operations world-wide.
The torch of rescue program manager will be passed on to Staff Sgt James Marker, an instructor for RED HORSE squadron.
They plan to organize more courses at different locations within the upcoming months..
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2025 18:23 |
| Story ID: | 498542 |
| Location: | ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GU |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, REDHORSE hosts 21-day Technical Rescue Course in Guam, by A1C Joseph Maye, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
