As with many missions where lives are at stake, teams often work in pairs. Last week I was allowed a rare opportunity to fly aboard one of the 129th Rescue Squadrons’ HH-60G Pave Hawks and witness some of the skills and maneuvers that they constantly practice when they are called upon to save lives.

“JOLLY92, cleared for take off.” With those words, the aircrew of a lone helicopter sets off on another ‘routine’ mission where lives could be hanging in the balance. Mission planning, equipment, and training all become second nature and a tool to accomplish the mission: Saving Lives.

You’re a 21st Airlift Squadron C-17 coming home from an overseas tactical mission, bringing back essential supplies and wounded victims from Afghanistan. Your callsign is COVERT 33. It’s pitch black outside, and you are running low on fuel, AND thousands of miles from the nearest land. There is only one option: Aerial Refueling. Off in [...]