It's a Dangerous Job Being a JAC Photographer

  • Published
  • By Peter G. Park, Jr.
  • JIOCEUR Analytic Center
Royal Air Force Molesworth, England --  It's not all "grip and grin" photos at awards ceremonies, reenlistments, and retirements for photographers at the JIOCEUR Analytic Center, RAF Molesworth, England.

Hanging out of a 56th Rescue Squadron HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter capturing aerial photography of the base to support future construction plans; going to the dogs to cover Tribase Air Force Sergeants donating food to an animal shelter; and shooting the JAC Honor Guard performing for 88,000 screaming fans during the NFL game at London's Wembley Stadium, are just a few of the unique photo shoots Air Force Staff Sgt. Javier Cruz and his colleagues are called upon to cover.

But covering the UK TOUGHGUY competition in sub freezing conditions is something else again.  When 22 members from U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command from all four branches of service, male and female, officers and enlisted went through the brutal course of the Tough Guy Challenge in Perton, England, they joined more than 7,000 other contestants from the UK and around the world.  Staff Sgt. Cruz was there.

JAC photographers virtually had to endure TOUGHGUY's unique blend of mud, freezing lakes, acrophobia, claustrophobia, barbed wire, fire and electro shocks To get magazine quality action shots of the JACHAMMERS team.  For Cruz, that meant 'taking one for the team' when a spirited competitor vaulting an obstacle accidentally kicked his camera which he was holding up to his face.  Cruz was briefly treated at the scene by the St. John's Ambulance crew (one of the charities which benefits from TOUGHGUY) and released.

Perhaps covering the next awards ceremony at RAF Molesworth in a nice warm building will have a whole new meaning for the sergeant.