Air Education and Training Command’s 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB, N.M., has deactivated its 551st Special Operations Squadron. The squadron had trained MH-53 Pave Low helicopter aircrews for special operations since 1989. The Air Force plans to retire the Pave Lows. A base release notes that many squadron personnel will transition to the new CV-22 tiltrotor aircraft, while others, like the Pave Low gunners, will move to the HH-60 Pave Hawk. Kirtland plans to place an MH-53 on static display.
A major planned upgrade for the F-35 fighter’s engine is expected to reach a major milestone in August when it undergoes its critical design review, an Air Force official said July 27.