Nellis Air Force Base

Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II aircraft taxis after a 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School mission, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The 34th Weapons Squadron mission integrated overwater combat search and rescue operations, enabling students to plan, execute and refine joint recovery operations in contested, degraded and operationally limited environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II aircraft prepares to refuel an HH-60W Jolly Green II aircraft during a 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, mission near Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The HC-130J Combat King II aircrew provided airborne mission commander capabilities, supporting the HH-60W Jolly Green II aircrew during an overwater personnel recovery operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force Maj. Marcus Walker, an instructor pilot assigned to the 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, flies in formation with an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during a 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, mission near Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The mission tested aircrew and rescue teams to advance combat search and rescue readiness in contested, degraded and operationally limited environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force Capt. Monroe Dauwalder, left, a pilot assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron, and Maj. Marcus Walker, an instructor pilot assigned to the 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, fly an HH-60W Jolly Green II aircraft near St. George Regional Airport, Utah, April 24, 2026. The 34th Weapons Squadron mission integrated overwater combat search and rescue operations, enabling students to plan, execute and refine joint recovery operations in contested, degraded and operationally limited environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

A U.S. Air Force combat rescue officer assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron receives an in-flight intravenous saline drip aboard an HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter near St. George Regional Airport, Utah, April 24, 2026. The 34th Weapons Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron performed a simulated overwater rescue, integrating helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and pararescue teams during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring faces to protect the identities of certain personnel)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II aircraft assigned to the 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, takes off from St. George Regional Airport, Utah, April 24, 2026. The 34th Weapons Squadron mission integrated overwater combat search and rescue operations, enabling students to plan, execute and refine joint recovery operations in contested, degraded, and operationally limited environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force Maj. Joshua Mannix, right, the 34th Weapons Squadron assistant director of operations, guides the transfer of Airmen from an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft to an HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter during a training mission at St. George Regional Airport, Utah, April 24, 2026. The 34th Weapons Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron performed a simulated overwater rescue, integrating helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and pararescue teams during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring faces to protect the identities of certain personnel)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron, conduct a simulated medical evacuation procedure to an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft at St. George Regional Airport, Utah, April 24, 2026. The mission tested aircrew and rescue teams to advance combat search and rescue readiness in contested, degraded and operationally limited environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring faces to protect the identities of certain personnel)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jonathon Ford, left, an HC-130J Combat King II evaluator pilot assigned to the 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, and Maj. Jordan Schafer, an HC-130J Combat King II pilot assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, prepare to land an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during a 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School mission near St. George Regional Airport, Utah, April 24, 2026. The HC-130J Combat King II aircrew provided airborne mission commander capabilities, supporting the HH-60W Jolly Green II aircrew during an overwater personnel recovery operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force Capt. I Yu Wang, a combat systems officer assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, monitors systems in flight during a 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, mission near Lake Mead, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The 34th WPS mission integrated overwater combat search and rescue operations, enabling students to plan, execute and refine joint recovery operations in contested, degraded and operationally limited environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jordan Schafer, an HC-130J Combat King II pilot assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, pilots an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during a 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, mission near Lake Mead, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The mission tested aircrews and rescue teams to advance combat search and rescue readiness in contested, degraded and operationally limited environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jordan Schafer, an HC-130J Combat King II pilot assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, pilots an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during a 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, mission near Lake Mead, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The HC-130J Combat King II aircrew provided airborne mission commander capabilities, supporting the HH-60W Jolly Green II aircrew during an overwater personnel recovery operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron jump from an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during overwater personnel recovery operations as part of a 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School mission over Lake Mead, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The 34th Weapons Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron performed a simulated overwater rescue, integrating helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and pararescue teams during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron jump from an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during overwater personnel recovery operations as part of a 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, mission over Lake Mead, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The mission tested aircrew and rescue teams to advance combat search and rescue readiness in contested, degraded and operationally limited environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron descend after jumping from the back of an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft for overwater personnel recovery operations during a 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, mission over Lake Mead, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The 34th Weapons Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron performed a simulated overwater rescue, integrating helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and pararescue teams during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron jump from an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during overwater personnel recovery operations as part of a 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, mission over Lake Mead, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The 31st Rescue Squadron trains, equips and employs elite Guardian Angel forces, including pararescuemen and combat rescue officers, to conduct combat search and rescue and personnel recovery, providing combatant commanders with options to report, locate, recover and reintegrate isolated personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

A U.S. Air Force pararescueman assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron inspects a drop zone aboard an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft over Lake Mead, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The mission tested aircrews and rescue teams to advance combat search and rescue readiness in contested, degraded and operationally limited environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Clayton Weigel, a loadmaster assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, conducts helicopter air-to-air refueling procedures on an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft assigned to the 71st Rescue Generation Squadron near Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The HC-130J Combat King II aircrew provided airborne mission commander capabilities, supporting the HH-60W Jolly Green II aircrew during an overwater personnel recovery operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter receives fuel from an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during a 34th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, mission near Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The HH-60W was refueled to extend its time on station and enable the recovery of additional simulated isolated personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John Wheeler, a loadmaster assigned to the 34th Weapons Squadron, conducts in-flight procedures aboard an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft near Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The mission tested aircrew and rescue teams to advance combat search and rescue readiness in contested, degraded and operationally limited environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron conduct preflight procedures aboard an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The 34th Weapons Squadron and 31st RQS conducted a simulated overwater rescue, integrating helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and pararescue teams during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring faces to protect the identities of certain personnel)

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Tested to Rescue: weapons and rescue squadrons execute overwater mission

Published May 6, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt
Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --

The 34th Weapons Squadron, along with the 31st Rescue Squadron (RQS), 79th RQS and other U.S. Air Force partner units conduct a training overwater and inland recovery operation near Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 24, 2026. The mission was meant to enhance combat search and rescue tactics, strengthening joint interoperability across the U.S. Air Force Weapons School. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)