pararescue

American  

[par-uh-res-kyoo] / ˈpær əˌrɛs kyu /

noun

1. a rescue, as of persons caught in a disaster, accomplished by parachutists.

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Etymology

Origin of pararescue

First recorded in 1945–50; para- ³ + rescue

Example Sentences

The US military's pararescue units trace their lineage back to a 1943 mission in which two combat surgeons parachuted into then-Burma - now Myanmar - to help wounded soldiers.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Moody proved adept at rescues, making some 30 pararescue jumps to provide aid to fellow smokejumpers or recreationists in trouble.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 9, 2023

In 1966, the 21-year-old Air Force pararescue jumper, or P.J. in military parlance, descended from a helicopter — a real-life deus ex machina — into the thick of a ground battle, where dozens of U.S.

From Washington Post • Jan. 22, 2020

The aircraft, a modified version of the Black Hawk helicopter, is frequently used by Special Operations pararescue specialists.

From New York Times • Mar. 16, 2018

Where they could, the pararescue jumpers collected purses and IDs.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone