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 Air Force plans to have its new Integrated Capabilities Command stood up by the end of 2024, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said May 2, offering new details of one of the signature reforms announced by the service earlier this year. Allvin said around 500-800 Airmen will…