A force for good: Department of the Air Force Humanitarian Missions

In 2018, then-Technical Sergeant Kenneth O’Brien was one of approximately forty US mili-tary personnel deployed to Thailand to assist Thai authorities with rescue efforts. O’Brien, a pararescueman (PJ) with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, volunteered to be one of the first US divers in the cave. He also aided in multiple days of preparation leading up to the rescue, moving equipment and supplies through the cave system and clearing obstacles and hazards in the sump between Chambers 2 and 3. During the three days of rescue, O’Brien was the lead medic in Chamber 3 and assessed all twelve boys, the coach, and rescue divers for injuries to determine if the rescue could continue. Each Airman typically chose their own wetsuit and other gear based on their personal needs and preferences, often using things they had collected over their careers. Sgt O’Brien wore the wetsuit, water boots, gloves, and helmet seen here throughout the eight-day mission. The buoyancy compensator, tank, and facemask are representative examples of other equipment O’Brien used.