A civil rescue helicopter crew called for help from the 55th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., when it couldn’t reach a stranded and injured teenage hiker. The airmen were preparing for a night training sortie when they got the call and responded within an hour to the rescue area, where an HH-60 Pave Hawk lowered a pararescue jumper. The PJ secured the teenage boy, who was at a medical center for treatment within three hours after the initial request for help, reports journalist SrA. Michael Hess.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.