Pedro 44, Detachment 1 of the 38th ARRS, was responding to a downed B-57 near Phan Rang AB, RVN when a mechanical failure with the HH43 Huskie caused the aircraft to crash to the ground. The crew, pilot Maj. Donald Brooks, co-pilot Capt. Von Liebernecht, firefighters TSgt Emmet Orr and SSgt Milard Bledsoe, and Medical Technician TSgt Angel Luna all died in the crash. Recent events Airborne RED HORSE Based on the suggestion of then-Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, who asked the Air Force to develop its own combat construction teams, the Air Force created RED HORSE Squadrons. In 2002, Gen. John Jumper further developed the RED HORSE mission by establishing three new Airborne RED HORSE units. Airborne RED HORSE teams are significantly different than the rest of traditional RED HORSE combat engineer squadrons in that members are airborne qualified and use much lighter specialized equipment. ARH team members also attend a 13-day Army Air Assault course to learn how to sling-load their equipment and rappel from helicopters. ARH teams take 21 traditional RED HORSE members and augment them with six firefighters, six explosive ordnance disposal technicians, two chemical and biological readiness experts, and security forces personnel, as needed. Combat-Ready Two Airmen with the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters graduate along with Security Forces peers from a Tactical Response Force Orientation Course Oct. 25, 2019, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. “During the course they go through close-quarters combat, rappelling, helicopter operations, small-unit-tactics, individual movement tactics, hostage situations and rescue, recapture-recovery operations, barricaded suspects and active shooter response,” said SSgt Phillip Hopkins. To wrap up the course, members conducted 72-hour sleep deprivation operations. The new initiative essentially utilizes Air Force Firefighter/EMTs as combat medics Notable USAF Firefighters SSgt Ray Rangel, assigned the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Department, died during a rescue response when an Army Humvee from the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 3d Infantry Division overturned in a canal during a combat patrol near Balad AB, Iraq 13 February 2005. Robert A. McAllister. Over the course of his 28-year Air Force career, he worked every position in the fire station including firefighter, crew chief, rescueman, rescue specialist, station chief, assistant chief, fire inspector, training chief, deputy chief and fire chief. He even worked directly with Pararescue Jumpers as a part of the elite Airborne Rescue Specialist/Firefighter. During his time in Vietnam, he earned many prestigious medals, decorations and