Air Education and Training Command’s 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB, N.M., has deactivated its 551st Special Operations Squadron. The squadron had trained MH-53 Pave Low helicopter aircrews for special operations since 1989. The Air Force plans to retire the Pave Lows. A base release notes that many squadron personnel will transition to the new CV-22 tiltrotor aircraft, while others, like the Pave Low gunners, will move to the HH-60 Pave Hawk. Kirtland plans to place an MH-53 on static display.
Improving Guam’s Defenses is Top Priority for INDOPACOM
March 4, 2021
Protecting Guam is the top priority for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, as the island territory and its large military presence has grown in strategic importance and the command is calling on Congress for billions more to build up its infrastructure there and across the region. INDOPACOM boss Adm. Philip S. Davidson,…