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Air Force bids farewell, retires historic helicopter

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrea Thacker
  • AFCENT News Team -- Combined Air and Space Operations Center
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Since its introduction into the U.S. Air Force arsenal nearly 40 years ago, the MH-53 Pave Low helicopter has proven crucial to special operation missions dating back to Vietnam.

After a lengthy and distinguished career, the remaining six Pave Low helicopters flew their last combat mission in support of special operations forces here Sept. 27.

The last mission, a SOF logistical resupply and passenger movement throughout central and southern Iraq, marks their last before the airframe retires in combat from Air Force inventory.

"We really feel like we are standing on the shoulders of giants," said Lt. Col. Gene Becker, 20th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron commander and a MH-53 pilot of 13 years. "(We owe it to) the folks, who over the past 40 years, have built the capability of this aircraft and the mission. We were just the lucky ones to be here at the end."

"We felt a great responsibility to close the (M)H-53's remaining months in the Air Force in a professional, disciplined and safe manner," he added. "At the end of the last mission, we felt like we achieved that goal. A goal, that we believe, was the best way to honor those (who contributed to) the last 40 years of this magnificent helicopter."

Pave Low helicopters, with their unique special operations mission and capabilities, have played a vital role in several operations during a career spanning four decades.

The MH-53 was the lead command and control helicopter during a raid of Son Tay prison camp in 1970, a mission linked to improving conditions for POWs in North Vietnam.

Again, in 1990, Pave Lows led the way for Army AH-64 Apaches during an air strike, which opened the air war in Operation Desert Storm.

Since March 2003, the MH-53 Pave Low has played a crucial part in special operations missions supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 20th ESOS MH-53 helicopters and their crews have provided much of the vertical lift, direct action and logistical resupply to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force in Iraq.

According to Air Force Special Operations Command officials, the MH-53 costs too much to maintain, fly and keep in the fight because of its age. Although its flying safety record is good, it has reached the end of its service life.

"It is a bitter sweet ending," said Tech Sgt. Corey Fossbender, 20th ESOS MH-53 Pave Low aerial gunner and a crew member on the lead helicopter during the final mission. "These birds have been around for so long. Our maintenance (teams) have basically been magicians keeping them in the air. ... A legacy is going away. With all the history they have been apart of, it's sad to see them go."

Fossbender, who has spent 13 of his 16-year career in the Pave Low community, says he will miss the camaraderie that the Pave Low crews shared the most.

"It wasn't just a job, it was a brotherhood," he said.

The six-man Pave Low crew consists of two pilots, two flight engineers and two aerial gunners.

"Most of the Pave Low crew members ... will head to AFSOC's new weapons systems like the CV-22 (Osprey), AC-130 (Gunship) ... and (MQ-1) Predators," said Becker. "Some will head over to Air Combat Command and fly the HH-60(G) rescue helicopter, and a few will retire."

Senior Master Sgt. Mark Pryor, 20th ESOS superintendent, will retire after more than 28 years; half of which he served as a flight engineer on the Pave Low.

"I don't think it has had an opportunity to sink in," said Pryor. "When I grabbed those throttles and pulled them off for the last time -- Realizing, this is it ... the last time I will fly on the Pave Low and work with this group of guys was bitter sweet. The (M)H-53s are retiring, and then I retire. It's a perfect ending to a wonderful career."

From Iraq, some of the Pave Low helicopters will become relics of the past when they become displays in Air Force museums. Others will go to the Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Center, at Davis-Monthan, AFB, Ariz., commonly referred to as "The Boneyard."

"As the Pave Low goes on to retire from combat today. She goes out, as she came in -- the very best," said Becker.