The airmen with the 64th Expeditionary Helicopter Maintenance Unit at Balad AB, Iraq, are key to keeping the fleet of Air Force Special Operations Command HH-60G Pave Low helicopters fit for their Combat Search and Rescue mission. The unit has some 30 airmen who are constantly maintaining and repairing the well-worn birds. Despite the high mission tempo, Air Force officials say, launching on time hasn’t been a problem so far. “Every bird has made its mission,” said TSgt. Kevin Pizzino, the unit expediter.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
