The 54th Helicopter Squadron at Minot AFB, N.D., has added new rescue hoists to two UH-1N Huey helicopters, enabling them to make rescues from terrain—and water—where the helicopters cannot land. SrA. Danny Monahan reports that all the unit needs now is to train more personnel with the new hoist. Last week, it had qualified only one pilot and one flight engineer. The qualification requires a “live hoist.”
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.