The 54th Helicopter Squadron at Minot AFB, N.D., has added new rescue hoists to two UH-1N Huey helicopters, enabling them to make rescues from terrain—and water—where the helicopters cannot land. SrA. Danny Monahan reports that all the unit needs now is to train more personnel with the new hoist. Last week, it had qualified only one pilot and one flight engineer. The qualification requires a “live hoist.”
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.