Unseen
UNSEEN—A Portrait of Uncommon Warriors
UNSEEN is an environmental portrait of the men and women serving in the Alaska 210th & 212th Rescue Squadron, stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf/Fort Richardson. This project was made possible by generous grants from both the Rasmuson Foundation and the Alaska Humanities Forum. The project culminated in two, comprehensive exhibits in Anchorage, Alaska, and a permanent exhibit at the Alaska Air National Guard Rescue Squadron.
Wolverine Drop Zone, Alaska—Jeremy Maddamma jumps from a Pavehawk helicopter at 11,000ft over the Wolverine Drop Zone near Joint Base Elmendorf/Fort Richardson. Maddamma is a pararescueman with the 212th Rescue Squadron.
For an eight month period I had the unique privilege to join elite military rescuers during their training. These are individuals who are innately private and reticent to spend time with journalists. In addition to spending extensive time with front-line members, I met with highly specialized aviation mechanics, parachute riggers, weapons experts, and medical personnel. I visited the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) which is the central hub for orchestrating the initial response to emergencies. I observed intense warfare training that included pararescuemen and combat rescue officers. And I flew on hair-raising missions with incredibly talented helicopter pilots and their equally capable crew members.
After talking with more than a hundred team members and watching many of these same people work, often in extreme environments and situations, a paradox emerged:
What some humans thrive on more than safety, security, and even love—is living with deep purpose, and feeling necessary. But living with purpose requires conviction, sacrifice and even risk.
Being a photographer with my own purpose and objectives, I was keenly aware how my focus was on people who avoid attention, those at their best working outside the spotlight—individuals who are humble by nature and deeply enigmatic. I had to balance the necessity of being close to dynamic situations, with staying out of the way. I followed my curiosity, but was always cognizant of my own intrusion. I was solely reliant on individuals who are innately distrustful of outsiders. I took only mental notes and I often chose to observe instead of asking questions. While circumstances were challenging, the project slowly evolved into a deeply rewarding endeavor, sharing indelible moments with a unique tribe of warriors.
Ancient Courage
Many of us go through our lives at odds, with our jobs, the commute, our kids, our spouse. On board a 20,000 pound rescue helicopter, sitting next to men tasked with risking their lives to save others, life is distilled to its most simple elements. Decisions are instinctual. Movement appears choreographed. All things extraneous are stripped away. The team shares a common bond, a symbiotic relationship, each man relying on the man next to him. In many cases each knows what the other is thinking, even feeling. They share a language older and more complex than words. They are part of a tribe of warriors who possess an ancient kind of courage.
