Pararescuemen Hitting the Streets: Air Force Reserve Command MSgt. Jim Johnston from Florida has been making calls with the Tucson Fire Department’s paramedics since February, treating patients ranging from the elderly to alcoholics on the streets of the Arizona city. Johnston is one of approximately 12 pararescuemen from across the US that is working with the TFD to improve their emergency response skills, reports the Arizona Daily Star. The training is conducted through Pima Community College, which won a $60,000 contract let by Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., to offer such classes to USAF rescue personnel. “In the military you’re mainly working on young, healthy people,” Johnston told the Star, saying the new environment is definitely putting his responder skills to the test.
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.
