Jason Plite
Senior Airman, United States Air Force
April 13, 1981 – March 23, 2003
Age – 21
Lansing, MI
Operation Enduring Freedom
38th Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, GA
Died when his HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crashed on its way to rescue two injured Afghan children
Senior Airman Jason Plite was born April 13, 1981 in Grand Rapids Michigan. During his high school years, Jason was a ” Jack of all-trades,” as he was both a gifted artist and a powerful athlete. Whether it was painting murals or earning his black belt in karate, Jason was a disciplined and dedicated student. His leadership and motivation to excel were apparent early on when Jason captained his Varsity swim team, a sport he still holds records in today, the 200 Freestyle relay, won in 1997. Early physical conditioning would later aid him in helping others.
Jason had several God-given talents, one of which was close was his love for art. He loved every medium of art including painting, ceramics, drawing, sketching and sculpting. He had several of his own works on public display in and around the community. Jason had an amazing ability to make friends with people of great character everywhere he went. He cared for them all greatly and always stayed in close contact. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a Senior Airman; part of a small group of elite pararescue men that were a family all of their own. He will be remembered as one who lived by their motto “That Others May Live.”
Although Jason was convinced by a recruiter to join the Marine Corps, his friends suggested he check out the Air Force and its opportunities. After graduating from Grand Ledge High School in 1999, he enlisted in the USAF. At first, he sought to pursue a career as a firefighter, but then Jason learned of the Pararescue profession and never looked back. It was Jason’s helpful nature that led him to want to be a firefighter, and that made the maroon beret fit all the better.
After graduating Basic Training with honors, Jason began his long arduous journey towards becoming a PJ. His training included the Air Force Indoctrination Course, US Army Special Forces Combat Divers Course, A US Navy Special Forces Combat Divers Course, and a Military Free Fall School. He was awarded the Charles D. King award for excellence in academic performance, and leadership. In addition, Jason also successfully completed the Army Basic Airborne School, Air Force Survival School, Paramedic Upgrade Course, John F. Kennedy Warfare Center’s Joint Special Operations Medical Training Course, and the Pararescue Recovery Apprentice Course. He successfully completed the most grueling training pipeline in the US military earning the coveted maroon beret and PJ flash in March 2002. Upon graduating from the Pararescue Recovery Apprentice Course with the Charles D. King award for academic excellence, Jason received his first duty assignment to the 38th Rescue Squadron out of Moody AFB, Georgia.
His performance as a worldwide recovery expert enabled him to perform rescue and recovery of distressed personnel from temperate, arctic, desert, mountainous, and open sea environments. He also performed as a medical evacuation rescue team member in direct support of NASA trans-oceanic abort landing sites providing the DOD with an emergency astronaut recovery capability. He maintained operational qualifications in static line, freefall parachuting, SCUBA, Rigging Alternate Method Zodiac (RAMZ) freefall swimmer deployment, fast rope, rope ladder, helicopter rappel/hoist operations, mountain rescue and combat medicine.
Jason was a vital contributor in his unit’s wide ranging support of the 347th Rescue Wing and Air Force mission. Just the day prior to the crash, Jason had helped save 3 critically injured Afghani Nationals.
Plites’ awards include the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, The National Defense Service Medal, The Air Medal, and the Air Force Training Ribbon.