2018 PJ Rodeo – That Others May Live
Photo Credit: Airman 1st Class Haley Phillips
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Pararescue career field. We are again honored to support the Pararescue Association’s PJ Rodeo Competition and Reunion taking place this year from September 17th-23rd in San Antonio, TX.
Every two years, Active Duty, Air Force Reserve, Air Force Guard, and retired PJ’s gather to honor the legacy of USAF Pararescue, and to remember and celebrate teammates who gave all.
This world-class ‘Gathering of Eagles’ brings PJs from around the world, in up to 25 two-man teams, in a friendly, but strenuous competition designed to test the skill, tactics, techniques and procedures USAF Pararescue Teams are employing on the battlefield today. The winning competitive team will hold the title “Best PJ” until the next bi-annual PJ Rodeo, scheduled for 2020.
As some of you may know, our HEL-STAR® line of marker lights was originally developed specifically in response to the need for a special helmet light for PJs. In coordination with input from the helmet manufacturer and active duty users, we developed the first helmet mounted light that was a low profile, snag-free, break-away lighting solution for High Altitude High Opening/High Altitude Low Opening (HAHO/HALO) parachute helmets.
Our involvement came about as a result of a tragedy that occurred in 1998 involving a USAF PJ who was killed when his parachute became entangled with a strobe light that had been zip tied to his helmet.
We continually appraise the needs and requirements of PJs and other special operators to provide cutting edge and combat tested MFF anti-collision and IFF lighting.
For more information about this event please visit www.pjrodeo.com. You can also sign up to be on the Reunion Committee volunteer team. You’ll have the opportunity to meet and interact with seasoned Pararescue combat veterans, the next generation of PJ warriors and, many others from our community.
The PJ Association also helps to raise funds for families of PJs who were lost or injured, and PJs who need help with getting their homes ADA ready. All of whom we owe a great debt of gratitude and appreciation.
