Kadena AFB –
The ocean churned beneath the incoming helicopters, their rotors slicing through the humid Pacific air. Special operations forces stood at the edge of open ramp doors, seconds from making their drop into the sea. This wasn’t just a drill; it was a test of their ability to execute under the most demanding conditions, where split-second decisions meant the difference between success and failure.
“The mission had to go forward, no matter what,” said Master Sergeant Bryan Sdankus. “When real lives are on the line, you don’t get a second chance.”
That was the purpose of Exercise Rescue Flag 25, a high-stakes multinational search and rescue operation uniting elite forces from the United States, Japan, and allied nations. Ensuring the mission’s success was Sdankus, a seasoned paramedic whose expertise allowed these teams to push their limits, refine their techniques, and prepare for real-world operations.
A member of the Vermont Air National Guard since 2013, Sdankus has dedicated his career to emergency medicine. While serving as an Aerospace Medical Technician with the VTANG, he also works as a firefighter and paramedic for the Virginia Beach Fire Department, responding to up to 20 emergency calls per day. His extensive field experience—treating life-threatening injuries, stabilizing trauma patients, and performing emergency medical procedures—made him an indispensable asset in Okinawa, Japan, where he was called upon to provide medical support for the largest rescue exercise in the Indo-Pacific region.
When he arrived, he quickly learned that a shortage of paramedics was jeopardizing the ability of special operations forces to conduct high-risk training. Despite jet lag and unfamiliar terrain, he stepped in immediately, ensuring that rescue personnel, including Air Force Pararescue Jumpers, Combat Controllers, Japanese Special Forces, and U.S. Marines, could safely execute their missions.
“I landed in Okinawa, and within days, I was in the field,” Sdankus said. “The biggest challenge was adapting quickly, learning the local hospitals, medical resources, and how to operate in a completely new environment.”
Throughout the exercise, Sdankus was stationed on a support boat, positioned to respond to potential injuries as teams conducted airborne and maritime rescue operations. His role extended beyond standby medical support. He actively assisted in critical mission elements, including monitoring divers for signs of decompression sickness, providing trauma care for parachute malfunctions and water landings, and ensuring the rapid evacuation of injured personnel.
One of the most complex missions he supported was a multinational mass casualty evacuation scenario designed to test joint response capabilities. The operation began with two inflatable boats being airdropped from a C-130 into open water, establishing a rescue zone for downed personnel. When a parachute malfunction rendered one boat inoperable, teams had to adapt in real time.
As the C-130 climbed to 5,000 feet, two teams of operators parachuted into the water and began assembling the remaining vessel while support boats, including Sdankus' team, recovered debris and equipment. The team then proceeded to a simulated crash site, where 22 survivors awaited rescue. Three helicopters, flown by the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Japanese Self-Defense Forces, extracted the patients while the PJ team navigated six nautical miles to a waiting Japanese C-130, concluding the mission.
Beyond his medical role, Sdankus worked directly with Japanese Special Forces, exchanging best practices in maritime rescue. Despite a language barrier, designated translators facilitated training, ensuring seamless cooperation between allied forces.
“It was incredible to see how much we could learn from each other,” Sdankus said. “Even without speaking the same language, the fundamentals of rescue work are universal. We all had the same goal—getting everyone home safe.”
Exercise Rescue Flag 25 concluded with 74 successful dives, 22 patient rescues, and over 400 flight hours conducted by a multinational team of 154 personnel. The training strengthened international partnerships and refined real-world rescue capabilities for future humanitarian and combat search-and-rescue missions in the Asia-Pacific region.
That same commitment to saving lives drove him to ensure that Rescue Flag 25 went forward without delay.
“When I was told missions could be canceled due to a lack of paramedics, I didn’t hesitate,” Sdankus said. “It’s about making sure the mission happens, no matter what. One day, it won’t be a drill—it will be real, and lives will be on the line.”