68th AS Airlift Helicopters to Retire, Usher in Next Generation Published Jan. 26, 2024 By TSgt. Jacob Lewis & Julian Hernandez 433rd Airlift Wing JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- The 68th Airlift Squadron aircrew had the honor of loading two HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 920th Rescue Wing, onto a C-5M Super Galaxy at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Jan. 19. The two HH-60G Pave Hawks were airlifted to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, to be retired as the 920th Rescue Wing transitions to the HH-60W model. The 68th Airlift Squadron loadmasters onload a HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 920th Rescue Wing onto a C-5M Super Galaxy with help from members of the 920th RW at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Jan. 19, 2024. The loadmasters work together with precise calculations to fit the HH-60G Pave Hawk onto the C-5M Super Galaxy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jacob Lewis) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The aircrew consisted of loadmasters, flight engineers, pilots and support staff that completed vital mission critical training. The 68th Airlift Squadron loadmasters prepare to onload a HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 920th Rescue Wing onto a C-5M Super Galaxy with help from members of the 920th RW at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Jan. 19, 2024. The loadmasters review loading instruction, plans, and are meticulously reviewed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jacob Lewis) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “The pilots completed take-off and landing requirements and proficiency,” said Senior Master Sgt. Steven Martinez, 433rd Airlift Wing chief standards and evaluations flight engineer. “One flight engineer completed a mission re-qualification evaluation, one student flight engineer completed “Flight Engineer Scanner Certification,” and two loadmasters had no-notice evaluations successfully completed.” The 68th Airlift Squadron loadmasters prepare to onload a HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 920th Rescue Wing onto a C-5M Super Galaxy with help from members of the 920th RW at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Jan. 19, 2024. The loadmasters review loading instruction, plans, and are meticulously reviewed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jacob Lewis) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Senior Airman Ali Gundogdu, 433rd Airlift Wing loadmaster, completed his first mission loading helicopters onto a C-5M Super Galaxy. “This was my first time loading up helicopters,” said Gundogdu. “To be honest, at first it was nerve wracking, but going over the loading instructions, going over the plans beforehand, and getting to know what I was getting myself into I felt more prepared. As new crews come to the squadron it’s good to get missions like this, we don’t see them often, and it helps build our proficiency.” Senior Airman Ali Gundogdu, center, 68th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, offload a HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 920th Rescue Wing off a C-5M Super Galaxy and onto the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base to be retired at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, Arizona, Jan. 19, 2024. The loadmasters onloaded the HH-60G Pave Hawk from Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, and offloaded at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on the same day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jacob Lewis) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The retired HH-60G Pave Hawks dutifully completed combat search and rescue missions saving many lives. The HH-60G Pave Hawk with the tail number, 6236, entered service in 1990, saved a downed pilot in Iraq in 2003, deployed with a team to Afghanistan saving approximately 600 lives, and most recently deployed for six months as the primary combat search and rescue aircraft at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia in 2023. The HH-60G Pave Hawk with the tail number, 6115, entered service in 1988, and arrived at the 920th Rescue Wing in 2019 after serving the Alaska National Guard. Staff Sgt. Thomas Wawrzyniak, 68th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, helps chain down a HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 920th Rescue Wing onto a C-5M Super Galaxy at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Jan. 19, 2024. Loading up the retiring HH-60G Pave Hawk prepares loadmasters for other active assets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jacob Lewis) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The HH-60G Pave Hawks were flown to the 309th AMARG by Major Gary Koivisto, 433rd Operations Support Squadron instructor aircraft commander. “This younger than average crew performed exceptionally, overcame multiple obstacles, and completed the mission on time,” Koivisto said. “This mission facilitated three check rides as well as vital upload training and proficiency sorties across the loadmaster, flight engineer, and pilot sections. Considering the short mission duration and number of accomplishments, it was one of the most efficient missions I've had the pleasure of flying.”