The holidays are a time of year when loved ones are able to reconnect and celebrate life. But for the Trubee family of Redmond, this holiday season was bittersweet. Their son, Staff Sergeant Robert Trubee, was preparing for his third deployment to Afghanistan with the 306th Pararescue Squadron. 

“I think the hardest, or at least, most nerve-wracking part is knowing that you literally have no control over what’s happening over there,” his mother, Amy Shaftel, said. “You just have to trust that his training has prepared him for what’s going to happen, and I certainly believe that it has. I couldn’t be more proud of the choices he has made.” 

A graduate of the Redmond High School class of 2006, Trubee briefly attended Montana State University and was involved in the ROTC there. 

He enlisted in the Air Force and, following in his father’s footsteps, decided he wanted to become a pararescuer. Only four other father-and-son combinations have both served in this specialized military occupation. 

“I don’t necessarily think that it was because my dad did it that I wanted to—I just had the desire to do something I knew that could help people and would always provide me with a challenge,” Trubee said. 

What exactly does being a pararescuer entail, though? Trubee recently paid a visit to the Overlake Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol to explain just that. More than 50 cadets and senior members were captivated by his presentation on the training program, equipment, job requirements, and the opportunities that are available in this line of work. During both war and peace, pararescuers serve to both rescue and recover military personnel and equipment from all terrains and environments, worldwide. 

As a branch of the Special Forces, pararescuers are trained in scuba diving, parachuting, emergency medicine, survival, and mountain climbing as well as aircrew and combat operations. The nearly three-year grueling training includes a nine-week indoctrination course, six weeks of combat dive school, and a six-month EMT paramedic course. 

Out of the 59 trainees that entered the course with Robert, only 12 remained after the initial indoctrination course. 

According to Trubee, some of the best ways to increase the chances of being able to become a pararescuer include increasing one’s physical endurance and strength, and determining if you are mentally prepared for the job.

Trubee served both of his previous tours of duty in Afghanistan. While on his first deployment, his unit was involved in a harrowing low-altitude helicopter incident. 

“It was incredibly dark, we were relying strictly on our night vision, and the pilot made a miscalculation after becoming disoriented. Luckily, the copilot was able to readjust the direction and altitude of the helicopter in time.” 

Even with the threat of combat, daunting rescues, and dangerous missions, those aren’t the worst parts about being overseas, according to Trubee. “I would definitely say the hardest part is being away from your family. On the one hand, you get to spend so much time with a different type of family, but you still miss the ones back home.” 

Though he has been deployed twice already, because he is stationed out of David-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, Trubee spends little time at home. The recent surprise visit to the Overlake Composite Squadron, where his younger brother, Philip, is a cadet airman, was the first time the brothers had seen each other in more than six months. 

“It is stressful knowing that Robert is involved in such a potentially dangerous line of work, but I know that when he’s training, the best trainers are there, trying to push everyone to their limit, but also looking out for their safety,” Philip Trubee said. “And I have to believe that this training prepares them so well for what they deal with overseas, and trust that he’ll be ready to handle every situation he’s placed in.” 

The most important piece of equipment to a pararescuer? “Your brain!” Robert Trubee replied with a chuckle. 

“But really, though. The importance of your mental state is so incredible. Next to that, a medical rucksack and your gun are the most vital pieces of equipment you could have at any time.” 

Being a pararescuer does have its perks.

“I get an incredible amount of satisfaction knowing that what I do is a completely hands-on way to help people,” Trubee said. “We treat all types of patients, from American soldiers to Afghan citizens, and when they see you and the patches on your uniform, even if they are from a different country, they recognize that you’re there specifically to help them. I can’t even describe the look of relief on their face when they realize that.” 

Partnered with NASA for the final shuttle launch of Atlantis, Trubee’s unit was stationed in Spain, on hand in case the launch was unsuccessful. After the launch, the unit completed the rest of their training and was able to spend the night in Italy, and even ski in the Alps. 

Robert’s father Brian Trubee served as a pararescuer for nearly 20 years in the Air Force Reserve. Stationed in Kosovo, Brian was on alert for the very first NASA Columbia shuttle launch in 1981. 

“The main difference between when I was a pararescuer and now is that there are practically no rules,” Brian said. “Battle isn’t just restricted to soldiers and direct combat troops. Now everyone is a target, and even though you’re there just trying to do your job and help people, literally anyone could be a threat.”

“But I am so proud of (Robert), and obviously having been in his position myself, I understand what he’s going through, and what’s running through his mind when he decides to reenlist.” 

Trubee left for Afghanistan at the end of December, for a five-month deployment.