The Air Force’s vaunted combat search and rescue forces wouldn’t get very far without the constant behind-the-scenes work of the HH-60 Pave Hawk maintainers. The Red Tail Flyer reports that even though they are few in number, the airmen of the 64th Expeditionary Helicopter Maintenance Unit in Southwest Asia perform vital checks of each aircraft every 72 hours, breaking the helos down into six section to inspect. The unit’s helicopters fly a total of 250 hours a month, which TSgt. Michael Montagno, says, “does wear on the airframe, and things such as cracks and body damage must be fixed on a regular basis.”
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
