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.
The Pentagon awarded a contract worth over $2 billion for the next batch of F-35 engines to Pratt & Whitney on June 5. The deal for Lot 17 F135 engines, totaling $2.02 billion, is expected to be completed by December 2025.