Airmen of the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing at Frances S. Gabreski Field, N.Y., volunteered to test a new aerial rescue basket. The new Heli-Basket, designed to be used with rescue helicopters, can carry up to 15 people—once it’s certified for people, that is. The Army in 2003 certified the basket for cargo use with its Black Hawk helicopter, so the Air Force accepted that OK for use with its HH-60 Pave Hawk helos. The test with the 106th RW was the first time the basket had been used to carry people.
Unit commanders are being told to separate service members who can’t shave their cheeks and chin for medical reasons for more than a year, according to new guidance from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
