Final mission for venerable MH-53

[unhappycamper]

MH-53 Pave Lows from the 20th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron fly over Iraq on one of their last combat missions Sept 27. The MH-53 is being retired after nearly 40 years of service to the Air Force.


Final mission for venerable MH-53
By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Oct 1, 2008 19:34:54 EDT

Born from a helicopter designed to pluck aircrews out of the jungles of Vietnam, the MH-53 Pave Low will die just like it was born — quietly in combat.

Six Pave Lows touched down at 1:53 a.m. on Sept. 27 at an undisclosed base after the storied heavy-lift helicopter’s last mission.

Air Force Special Operations Command officials said the MH-53s flew special operators and equipment to an undisclosed destination in Iraq.

Operational security concerns protected kept official from sharing anything else about the MH-53s’ historic final mission.

The fact the MH-53s’ last mission was in Iraq and one that needed to be protected because of its sensitive nature is a source of pride for its current and former aircrews, said Maj. Derrick Stamos, a MH-53 pilot and 20th Special Operations Squadron’ assistant director of operations.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/09/airforce_mh53_retirement_093008w/%2e