MH-53M Static Display Dedication

A new static display is being dedicated at Maxwell Air Force Base today.

A Sikorsky MH-53M Pave Low IV helicopter stands in front of the Air Force Research Institute. Former crew members and other members of Air Force Special Operations Command will attend the ceremony.

The MH-53M on display (SIN 69-5785) is painted and marked as it appeared in 2008 when it was assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, 151 Special Operations Wing, headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Delivered to the USAF in 1970, #785 served with several combat air rescue units in Southeast Asia, where it successfully recovered at least three aircrew in 1971-1972.

In April 1975, it evacuated U.S. personnel from Phnom Penh, Cambodia; one month later #785 was hit, but not repulsed by enemy ground fire while inserting US forces during the Mayaguez Rescue Incident. The aircraft participated in the restoration of Panamanian democracy (Operation Just Cause, 1989), and it flew special operations missions during the Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm, 1991).

More recently, #785 took US Special Forces personnel into harm's way in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, and in the Iraq War from 2003 until its retirement from active service in late 2008-where this aircraft, flying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, led the final MH-53 combat mission before being flown here.

From the Montgomery Advertiser

Captain Otero, Myself (FO Tyler Gresham) C/CMSGT Joseph Spitzer, and C/SSGT Kyler Gresham attended the dedication of the Pave Low as a static display on Maxwell.

We were fortunate enough to meet, and take pictures with, some really outstanding Air Force men.

General Peck, Commander, Air University

Chief Master Sergeant Wayne Fisk, who himself was a Civil Air Patrol cadet, and is one of the most widely known and decorated enlisted members.

Comments

[Display stands]

Now that's one awesome helicopter!

Ben Cliff