Search & Rescue

To be eligible to enlist in the U.S. Navy, candidates must be between the ages of 18-34

When lives are on the line, Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRRs) are exceptionally adept at answering the call. These brave men and women embody the courage of Americas Navy readily going into harms way to complete their rescue missions in some of the most extreme environments imaginable. As part of the most elite helicopter emergency response team in the world, youll be tasked with saving the lives of people caught in the waves.

Living by the motto, So others may live, rescue swimmers put their skills to the test for others each time they leap into the sea.

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.
Operating 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 Tactical (AWR).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

As an AWR, you will operate in almost every type of extreme environment and may be assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (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 AND 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:

Aircrew Candidate School (4 weeks) in Pensacola, FL, to learn water and land survival skills and flight safety
Rescue Swimmer School (5 weeks) in Pensacola, FL, to learn search and rescue techniques
Class A Technical School (5 weeks for AWS/12 weeks for AWR) in Pensacola, FL, to study basic skills in Naval Aviation
SERE School (2 weeks) in North Island, CA, or Portsmouth, NH, to train in Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) techniques
Fleet Replacement Squadrons (6 months for AWS/10 months for AWR) for on-site aircraft systems training in North Island, CA , Jacksonville, FL or Norfolk, VA.

After graduation, an AIRR may be assigned to a helicopter command at sea or on shore duty in various locations throughout the U.S., including San Diego, CA;
Norfolk, VA;
Jacksonville, FL;
China Lake, CA;
Whidbey Island, WA;
Key West, FL.; and many others.

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Members of the community have any number of unique opportunities to advance their knowledge. Navy training provides skills and knowledge in everything from military tactics and small arms use to survival and other tactical military procedures.

Beyond offering access to professional credentials and certifications, Navy training in this field can translate to credit hours toward a bachelors or associate degree through the American Council on Education.

You may also continue your education through…