WEBVTT 00:07.344 --> 00:08.177 - [Interviewer] So if we could start off 00:08.177 --> 00:09.780 with your first and last name, could you spell it out sir? 00:09.780 --> 00:12.863 - Colonel Duke A. Pirak, P-I-R-A-K. 00:12.863 --> 00:16.320 I'm the commander of the 142nd fighter wing. 00:16.320 --> 00:17.476 - [Interviewer] Our 125th, they're a DSG force 00:17.476 --> 00:18.309 as well, right? 00:18.309 --> 00:19.226 - They are. 00:19.355 --> 00:22.242 There's a lot of international guard units. 00:22.242 --> 00:24.939 Certainly a combination of full time and part time. 00:24.939 --> 00:28.670 I would say, what is perhaps unique and special 00:28.670 --> 00:31.642 is the fact that they're special operations forces. 00:31.642 --> 00:34.508 So, these are men and women that are going into 00:34.508 --> 00:37.425 fairly intense combat situations in 00:37.947 --> 00:40.728 Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East. 00:40.728 --> 00:43.989 And are able to take some of those survival skills 00:43.989 --> 00:46.629 and put them to use in a domestic operations situation 00:46.629 --> 00:48.933 like again, surviving a hurricane 00:48.933 --> 00:52.766 and then participating in rescue and recovery. 00:53.901 --> 00:55.911 - [Interviewer] Can you say what it means to the wing 00:55.911 --> 00:57.720 to be able to be involved in the-- 00:57.720 --> 00:59.977 - It's just absolute privilege for us to be involved 00:59.977 --> 01:01.385 in something like this. 01:01.385 --> 01:05.302 And again, you know, we are very proud of being 01:06.466 --> 01:07.745 America's dual use force. 01:07.745 --> 01:09.175 We're essentially deployed in place, 01:09.175 --> 01:11.820 ready to go to serve state and local authorities, 01:11.820 --> 01:14.685 but obviously also to serve the President 01:14.685 --> 01:16.227 and the overseas fight. 01:16.227 --> 01:19.614 This organization, the 125th Special Tactics squadron, 01:19.614 --> 01:21.661 spends an awful lot of its time overseas, 01:21.661 --> 01:23.828 fighting our nations wars. 01:24.328 --> 01:26.613 But the privilege to be able to serve 01:26.613 --> 01:29.591 other Americans at home, it's just fantastic. 01:29.591 --> 01:32.186 And these guys and gals are very happy to do it. 01:32.186 --> 01:33.853 Very proud to do it. 01:34.339 --> 01:35.700 - [Interviewer] So, I went last night 01:35.700 --> 01:37.058 to film them taking off. 01:37.058 --> 01:39.644 I noticed some of the same people that took off last night 01:39.644 --> 01:42.310 are the same people that were just down in Harvey. 01:42.310 --> 01:43.893 - Yeah, absolutely. 01:43.917 --> 01:47.270 Well again, the very interesting thing about 01:47.270 --> 01:49.991 special operations forces is that they absolutely 01:49.991 --> 01:51.318 love what they do. 01:51.318 --> 01:53.309 So the opportunity to be in those austere conditions 01:53.309 --> 01:55.731 and put their skills to the test 01:55.731 --> 01:57.916 is something that an operator is always gonna jump on. 01:57.916 --> 02:00.057 So, I'm very proud of them for that. 02:00.057 --> 02:02.666 - [Interviewer] Why is it sometimes difficult to get them 02:02.666 --> 02:05.198 to talk on camera about the amazing things that they do. 02:05.198 --> 02:08.237 - (laughs) Well, I think they are the epitome of the 02:08.237 --> 02:10.738 quiet professional, the quiet warrior 02:10.738 --> 02:13.797 that would rather speak through actions, 02:13.797 --> 02:17.130 serve their nation and fellow Americans, 02:17.246 --> 02:19.454 take care of their fellow brothers and sisters 02:19.454 --> 02:23.204 and prefer to deflect any attention or glory. 02:24.325 --> 02:25.700 - [Interviewer] Is there anything that you want to add sir? 02:25.700 --> 02:29.440 - No, just that I'm unbelievably proud of all 02:29.440 --> 02:31.824 that are participating in this operation. 02:31.824 --> 02:34.111 And also very thankful for the incredible support of the 02:34.111 --> 02:38.278 rest of my organization at home to get them ready to go. 02:38.572 --> 02:40.100 And I'll be praying every night 02:40.100 --> 02:41.834 that their operations are safe and effective 02:41.834 --> 02:43.398 and we get them back home as soon as possible. 02:43.398 --> 02:44.231 - [Interviewer] Awesome.