CSAR Society shares stories of the past

  • Published
  • By Airman Dillian Bamman
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Veterans from the Society of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) visited Moody May 28-30 to share with current CSAR Airmen their first-hand experiences with CSAR.

The CSAR Society is made up of veterans from many eras and many jobs within CSAR and search and rescue (SAR).

"We are honored to have the opportunity to host these heroes," said U.S. Air Force Col. Chad Franks, 23d Wing commander. "By hearing their stories, we are able to relive the history and heritage of [CSAR] that has paved the way for today's military.

"Visits by the CSAR Society have given use a unique opportunity over the years," he added. "With [CSAR] being at the heart of what we do as a wing, I can't speak highly enough about these veterans, their bravery, and their dedication to sharing their first-hand experiences so the mission lives on."

CSAR veterans started the CSAR Society after a Jolly Green Association reunion in 1999. Since then, the CSAR Society has visited bases annually that have search and rescue (SAR) missions such as Moody.

"The lessons learned from past [SAR] operations are highly essential to the development of today's strategy, doctrine and tactical employment of forces," said Franks. "By retelling your stories, [the CSAR Society has] a direct impact on combat operations during an important time in our military and nation's history."

Capt. James Schmidt, 74th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, agrees with Franks on the benefit the CSAR Society gives to Moody.

"We benefit by learning from their experiences in highly contested environments where they performed CSAR and SAR at a very high level," said Schmidt. "We'd like to thank them for choosing Moody to tell their stories and share insights and lessons learned with the Airmen currently in the fight, and for sharing their legacy with [the 74th FS]. We want them to know that we will continue that legacy of greatness here at Moody."

Learning from past CSAR and SAR efforts is critical to improving the force added Schmidt. At the conclusion of each SAR effort, there was a debrief, critique and analysis of what went right and what went wrong, and what improvements were needed to increase the effectiveness of our operations.

"The current CSAR seminar presentation format emulates an after-action session with the survivor and the rescuers providing their experiences and insights," said Schmidt. "This allows us to bring the realities of a SAR mission to our era of present day SAR forces."
After listening to the CSAR Society share their stories, Schmidt said there were some "larger than life" stories he would never forget.

"From evading the enemy for weeks to stopping armored convoys with an M-16 aimed out of the side of an airplane window, the stories were incredible," said Schmidt. "But the real lesson of any of their stories is that ordinary people will do extraordinary and heroic things when called upon in a time of need. [The CSAR Society veterans] are and will continue to be an inspiration to all of us involved in CSAR and SAR."

Schmidt, speaking for the 74th FS, gave thanks to the CSAR Society for giving Moody insight and lessons learned to the Airmen in the fight today.

"We'd like to thank [the CSAR Society] for sharing their legacy with us and let them know that we will continue that legacy of greatness here at Moody," said Schmidt. "That is and always will be the true mission of CSAR."