Air Force Rescue: A Multirole Force for a Complex World.

Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 3002.01E, Personnel Recovery in the Department of Defense, highlights personnel recovery (PR) as one of the DOD's highest priorities. As an Air Force core function, PR has experienced tremendous success, having performed 9,000 joint/multinational combat saves in the last two years and having flown a total of 15,750 sorties since 11 September 2001. Despite this admirable record, the author contends that the declining readiness of aircraft and equipment as well as chronic staffing shortages prevents Air Force rescue from meeting the requirements of combatant commanders around the globe. To halt rescue's decline, a numbered Air Force must represent this core function, thereby ensuring strong advocacy and adequate resources for this lifesaving, DOD-mandated function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]