KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Two boats race through the water to a designated landing zone and begin to circle, the crew’s eyes search the sky, while their ears listen and wait for all too familiar sound. First a rumble can be heard and the an MC-130J Commando emerges on the horizon and tracks a steady path toward the boats as crews ready themselves in anticipation for what’s to come.

The sun is setting fast and the water below promises a soft landing. After several passover’s, pararescuemen walk out of the back of the aircraft, their feet in the wind and their lives in the hands of the parachutes packed by riggers.

Aircrew flight equipment Airmen from the 31st Rescue Squadron ensured their charges had a safe landing during their water landing training scenario off the coast of Okinawa.

During the scenario the, the 31st RQS’ pararescuemen had to deploy a jet ski from an MC-130J and then circle around in the aircraft and jump in after it. The pararescuemen use jet skis and other light, mobile watercraft to maneuver quickly throughout open water for quick and efficient rescues.

“If you have a fighter pilot or someone who punches out [ejects] from an aircraft, we can jump to them usually with just our bodies and secure them and wait until the helicopter comes in,” explained Lt. Col. Mathew McGuinness, 31st Rescue Squadron commander.

While the cargo and personnel jettisoned from the C-130 overhead, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Michels, 31st RQS aircrew flight equipment assistant NCOIC, recorded and watched for any deviations in the opening of the parachutes from launch to landing.

To ensure no details are overlooked and each jump is completed properly to keep their team safe, Michel records jumps as the team’s malfunctions officer and helps recover parachutes from the corrosive waves of the Pacific Ocean.

“Jumping over water is a little easier because you know it’s a soft landing,” Michels said. “You don’t have to worry about someone rolling an ankle or landing wrong.”

The important part during the scenario for AFE is to hook the parachutes as soon as possible and get them back into the boat, he continued.

From the time the parachutes hit the water, the AFE crew has less than 48-hours to recover, wash and dry them before they are condemned and deemed unserviceable since salt water will begin to degrade some of the components of the chutes.

“A normal parachute while dry weighs anywhere from 35 to 45-pounds,” Michels explained. “When they are wet and we are dragging them into the boat it feels like it’s at least more than 100 pounds, especially when the canopy is sinking below the waves. If it’s not hooked properly, it drags water like a giant cup and weighs it down that much more.”

The 31st RQS’ AFE Airmen know pararescumen can and will deploy at any time for unexpected rescue or recovery calls. The AFE team ensures parachutes and equipment are maintained and can be used at a moment's notice.

“Our lives are in their hands,” McGuinness said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have gone on several hundred jumps and every single time my chute has opened. They’re awesome, the bottom line is we couldn’t do our jobs without riggers.”