Kirtland AFB, N.M., will be the first base to receive the next-generation combat rescue helicopter, a New Mexico senator announced. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) said in a statement this week that Kirtland’s 58th Special Operations Wing will get the first new helicopter in 2020. The base currently has 14 HH-60G Pave Hawks, and each will be replaced by 2028. The wing at Kirtland is the main training site for rescue pilots. The new HH-60W helicopter, which is based on the Army’s Blackhawk UH-60M, in May completed a preliminary design review, which identified operations and maintenance challenges for contractor Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky in June 2014 received a $1.28 billion contract for the replacement program.
Army Building Up New Space Operations Branch
Oct. 15, 2026
The Army has long been dependent on space capabilities to navigate terrain, communicate in hard-to-reach areas, and identify and strike targets. Now, the service wants to deepen its space operations expertise and is making plans to expand its own cadre of operators in the coming years.