In an article for The San Diego Union Tribune, Gidget Fuentes writes about the unique skills, high risk missions and training required of Air Force pararescue teams. These rescue units belong to a small, but highly trained community that includes pilots, air crews, and combat rescue experts. Often sent into critical situations to help those in need, members of these teams, particularly pararescuemen, may be assigned to special operations forces. A component of the Air Force as well as the Air National Guard, pararescuemen serve dual roles, performing both civilian and military missions.