JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
An HH-60G Pave Hawk landed at its new home July 26 on the grounds of the 344th Training Squadron, Career Enlisted Aviator Center of Excellence, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
The aircraft flew its last trip from the 512th Rescue Squadron, part of the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Students, instructors, and guests gathered to welcome the helicopter and the team on board.
Though retired from service, the HH-60G will serve as a training aid to career enlisted aviators, providing technical training students with opportunities to learn through hands-on instruction.
“The addition of an HH-60G brings the CEA COE up-to-date with aircraft systems. While the airframe is being retired, the rotor system, engine, airframe, navigation, and munitions systems are relevant to today’s flying force,” said Master Sgt. Thomas Liscomb, 344th TRS and COE instructor.
Instructors from the Inter-American Air Forces Academy were on-site to prepare the aircraft for permanent placement within the 344th TRS hangar. With over 2,000 students projected to graduate from the COE, students now have the ability to train with a larger inventory.
“While not every student will occupy a crew position on a helicopter, all cross the threshold day one into that hangar and will now feel an even greater emotional weight and significance about their decision to volunteer as career enlisted aviators,” Liscomb added.