“It is my duty, as a member of the Air Rescue Service, to save life and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I do that others may live.”

Pararescueman Killed in Action

Nickolas L. McCaskill was a retired Pararescue Chief Master Sergeant who was killed in Afghanistan while performing civilian duties as a contractor. According to 306th RQS PJ’s, Nick was a CIA ground branch officer when he was killed by an improvised explosive device. CMSgt McCaskill entered the Air Force in May of 1992, as a structural maintenance specialist. In October 1994, he entered the two-year Pararescue indoctrination pipeline, and upon graduation in 1996, he was assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis AFB to begin his career as a Pararescueman. In 2001, Chief McCaskill moved into the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan. While assigned as a special tactics Pararescueman, he deployed to the Philippines where he augmented the 1st Special Forces Group Theater Quick Reaction Force. McCaskill provided combat search and rescue expertise in direct support of a mission to rescue American hostages, for which he was awarded the Joint Service Achievement Medal. In 2003, the 353rd Special Operations Group recognized McCaskill as PJ of the Year for “building the most capable team in the unit’s history.” He deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he led 13 combat missions. McCaskill joined the 48th Rescue Squadron in 2005. On one mission, McCaskill led a four-man rescue team to recover ten soldiers killed in a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter crash. This recovery required a three-hour overland movement through mountainous terrain. While exposed to extreme danger from hostile machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire, his team worked continuously for 24-hours taking sporadic enemy fire to ensure that all 10 killed in action and all sensitive items were recovered from the crash site. For his efforts on this mission, McCaskill was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Later that year, McCaskill led a 14-man team in support of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief where the Air Rescue team were credited with 1,200 saves. In July of 2006, McCaskill left the active duty and became a reservist with the 306th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. McCaskill led numerous NASA missions at Kennedy Space Center and executed Guardian Angel exercises with ally countries in both Tajikistan and the Philippines. McCaskill served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force to include 16 years conducting rescue and special operations. He had 500 plus flight hours, 200 of which were during combat operations. Chief McCaskill is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Nick and his wife	Nick and his two daughters
INTERNMENT OF CMSGT MCCASKILL AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY Airmen, Friends and Family of the 306th Rescue Squadron: On 6 April 2013 we lost CMSgt Nicholas McCaskill while he was proudly serving in Afghanistan. I appreciate the support given to the family and to the unit during the memorial service conducted at Davis-Monthan AFB back in April. I ask for your support again. Yesterday we were notified that CMSgt McCaskill's internment in the Colunnbariunn at Arlington National Cemetery is set for 30 September 2013 at 1000hrs. This date was set yesterday by Nicks family and Arlington National Cemetery. All personnel and family that are attending the funeral need to be at the Administration building at Arlington at least 30-minutes prior to the 1000 hours start time. Everyone must start from the Administration building parking lot and be prompt. You will need to drive to/from the administration building to the gravesite (Columbarium) with the funeral procession in your own acquired transportation. No transportation is available or provided by Arlington. Service will include military honors which includes the casket team, firing party, bugler, Chaplain and flag presentation. Your support is requested and I ask that you forward this funeral information through your distribution channels to reach all friends, families and team members to help get the word out. JOHN E. KEELER, Lt Col, USAFR Commander, 306th Rescue Squadron "Guardian Angel"     Arlington Burial Marker