Maj. John Groves, an MH-53 Pave Low pilot assigned to Ft. Bragg, N.C., has received the Cheney Award for heroic actions under hostile fire. Groves went to the rescue of a second MH-53 that was shot down in Iraq, while flying as his wingman on a supply delivery mission. Groves and his crew flew through enemy fire to locate and rescue the other aircrew.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
