By analogy, just as bombs and missiles do the job of global attack and the platforms exist to deploy them, PJs are the sole weapon of choice for USAF combat rescue. The rest of the forces exist to deploy and protect them. Vehicles and Crews Until we are able to mid-air retrieve flyers under parachute canopy or beam them out of their burning cockpits, we have to retrieve them from the earth s surface. Few places are suitable for over-land ingress, runway landings or even vertical landings. Our helicopters have the job to deliver and retrieve rescue teams and survivors to and from all surface conditions.
Helicopters give a range of flexibility in the tactical area that nothing else does.
They can also provide very close range limited fire support for PJs on the ground. Fire Support Survivability is a key aspect of combat rescue, and fighter and attack aircraft have that charge when the threat level dictates armed intervention.