Search & Rescue

SO OTHERS MAY LIVE

When disaster strikes, Aviation Rescue Swimmers don't hesitate-they jump. Into raging seas, hurricane winds, and combat zones, they go where others won't- to bring people back alive.

As part of the world's most elite Special Operations force, Navy AIRRs execute life-or-death rescues in the most extreme conditions. Whether pulling survivors from sinking ships, saving downed pilots, or braving towering waves, they live by one mission: so others may live.

That motto isn't just a phrase-it's a promise. And they prove it every time they leap into the unknown.

Enlisted None

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AVIATION RESCUE SWIMMER: CAREER DETAILS & REQUIREMENTS

Responsibilities

Aviation Rescue Swimmers are tasked with entering treacherous conditions to assist with rescue missions, humanitarian assistance, and operational support. One day you may be evacuating families on the other side of the globe amidst a catastrophic storm, and the next day rescuing the crew of a ship off the Pacific coast or saving a mountain climber hanging from an inaccessible cliff.

Depending on your role, duties may include:

• Coordinating with pilots as an Air crewman aboard helicopters
• Saving the crew of downed aircraft, people aboard stranded or capsized vessels at sea, or hikers and mountain climbers in danger
• Rescuing civilians during natural disasters in collaboration with other forces such as the Coast Guard
• Delivering aid and supplies to other countries in humanitarian operations
• Providing support to Naval Special Warfare Operations
• Conducting surveillance in anti-submarine warfare and drug interdiction operations
• Operate radar, Forward Looking Infrared sensors, missile systems and door guns in anti-surface operations
• Transporting troops and cargo to and from ships

In this role, you will specialize as a Naval Air crewman Helicopter (AWS) or a Naval Air crewman Tactical Helicopter (AWR).

Naval Air crewman Helicopter (AWS)

AWS's operate various aircraft systems to support a range of mission types including:

• Surface Warfare
• Search and Rescue
• Combat Search and Rescue
• Naval Special Warfare
• Airborne Mine Countermeasure
• Logistics

Naval Air crewman Tactical Helicopter (AWR)

AWR's operate various aircraft systems to support a range of mission types including:

• Anti-Submarine
• Recon & Intelligence
• Anti-Surface Ship
• Search and Rescue
• Combat Search and Rescue
• Naval Special Warfare Fire Support

Work Environment

As an AIRR, you will operate in almost every type of extreme environment and may be assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) or Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadrons (HSM) sea or shore duty in any part of the world. You could be assigned to squadrons at Naval Air Stations and may deploy aboard aircraft carriers, surface combat ships and support ships.

Training & Advancement

Aviation Rescue Swimmers must be prepared to operate in any challenging environment. It's why two years of training in advanced swimming and lifesaving techniques, helicopter mission equipment and helicopter weapons systems are required before you report to your first squadron. Throughout training, candidates are continually tested mentally and physically as they advance to more rigorous and challenging scenarios.

Upon completion of initial training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (known as Boot Camp), those pursuing an Air crewman role undergo the following training pipeline:

Aviation Rescue Swimmer School Prep Course (2 weeks) in Pensacola, FL.

Aircrew Candidate School (4 weeks) in Pensacola, FL, to learn Naval Aviation fundamentals, intermediate water survival, aviation physiology and advanced water survival.

Rescue Swimmer School (6 weeks) in Pensacola, FL, to learn search and rescue techniques.

Class "A" Technical School (8-14 weeks) in Pensacola, FL, learning one of the Aircrew Ratings (AWF, AWO, AWS, AWR, AWV).

SERE School (2 weeks) in North Island, CA, or Portsmouth, NH, to train in Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) techniques.

Fleet Replacement Squadrons (28-52 weeks) location dependent on aircrew rating in one of five locations (Jacksonville, FL, Norfolk, VA, San Diego, CA, Oklahoma City, OK, Ft Worth, TX) for basic flight and aircraft weapons systems training.

After graduation, an AIRR may be assigned to a helicopter command at sea or on shore duty in various locations throughout the world, Japan, Guam, Spain, or the continental US including San Diego, CA, Norfolk, VA, Jacksonville, FL, Fallon, NV, Whidbey Island, WA, Key West, FL and many others.

Advanced Education & Training

Based on performance and the needs of the Navy, you could potentially be eligible to receive additional training in:

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training
• Helicopter Inland Rappel School (mountain & cliff rescue training)
• Advanced Search and Rescue School

Senior enlisted AIRRs may also be selected to become:

• Schoolhouse instructors
• Weapons instructors
• Master…