The HH-60G has served the 33rd RQS in fulfilling the motto, “that others may live,” for over 30 years.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessi Roth.
Story by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Sifuentes, 18th Wing
Since 1982, the HH-60G Pave Hawk has created a valiant legacy of combat search and rescue (CSAR), disaster relief, casualty evacuation (casevac) and medical evacuation (medevac) for the U.S. Air Force. From the hot and dry deserts of the middle east, to the stormy seas of the pacific, rescue operators have felt assurance in this bird saving people on their worst days.
“The G model is an amazing aircraft, built based on Black Hawk models and with lessons learned from survivability in Vietnam,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Louis Nolting, 33rd Rescue Squadron commander. “Predecessors, and other lessons learned, aided in the golf model’s battle damage resilience, automatic flight control systems, weapons systems, hoists and aerial refueling capabilities.”
Throughout the HH-60G Pave Hawk’s career, it’s seen a diverse range of operations to include search and rescue in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Tomodachi, humanitarian relief missions in Africa, recovery operations after Hurricane Katrina and many more missions; always ready so others may live.
“It’s a reliable aircraft in time of need when other aircraft aren’t suited for the job,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jeffrey Hegstrom, 33rd RQS special missions aviator. “The Golf has shown time and time again that it’s more than capable for combat search and rescue operations in any environment.”
The HH-60G Pave Hawk has garnered a motivated community of team oriented service members who are passionate in their roles to put these birds in the sky.
“Being responsible for a multi-million dollar aircraft can be daunting,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew French, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chief. “But to see our operators rescue people and return them to their families is very fulfilling.”
French also expresses satisfaction in his job as a flying crew chief, seeing the HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters fly off and knowing he and his team are helping accomplish a greater mission.
“Along with the modernized advanced avionics that come with the latest HH-60 Whiskey (HH-60W Jolly Green II) model, come new challenges that this team is ready to face,” said French.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessi Roth.
During this transition, the 33rd RQS will learn how to fly the whiskey model before it’s put in action. The HH-60G Pave Hawk model is expected to be fully divested by the end of the fiscal year, with the whiskey ready to take on the challenges ahead.
“The legacy of the The HH-60G Pave Hawk is nearly unparalleled,” said Nolting. “The thousands of lives rescued, and how it continues to fly day in, day out, is a testament to its operational capability.»
For more Hlcopters Magazine breaking news, stories, images and videos visit hlcopters.com and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
