An HH-60 helicopter crew assigned to Det. 1, 33rd Rescue Squadron, at Osan AB, South Korea, flew a 74-year-old Korean woman suffering a heart attack on April 19 from Teong Pyeong Do Island to a South Korean naval base. Officials said that the Pave Hawk’s capabilities came in handy, allowing it to fly in the severe weather conditions that were preventing other helicopters from recovering the woman. The helicopter was piloted by Capt. Chris Spindler and Capt. James Humphrey.
The withdrawal of about 700 U.S. forces from Somalia required a massive nocturnal airlift, movement of fighters and tankers from the Middle East, and other overwatch from drones and other special operations aircraft, all planned and executed within weeks. The mission, called Operation Octave Quartz, came after former President Donald…