Perspective: Elite medical team rescues troops behind enemy lines

As a member of the U.S. Air Force's elite Combat Search and Rescue team, "Dan," a pararescueman, or PJ, is used to saving the lives of fellow U.S. and coalition troops in battlefield situations. But last month, he was the one in need of rescue.

During a mission in southeastern Afghanistan, he was critically injured in a Chinook helicopter crash that killed eight service members, including U.S. Army Rangers and a fellow pararescueman. Before losing consciousness, Dan managed to give a medical assessment to a rescue team in another location.

As he lay in a hospital bed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, recovering from the injuries he suffered in Afghanistan, Dan said he couldn't wait to get back to his unit.

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