Combat Search and Rescue - USAF needs a Chinook?

Posted By Blackfive

I'm not a *cough* pilot, and it's certainly been awhile since I've been on a helicopter (so apologies if my rusty memory is incorrect).  But I've been on a few MH53Js which I thought were amazing (what the hell is that "pizza rack" doing on a bird?).  Actually, I think the MH53J pilots were the best I've ever seen.   Their crews, unbelievably professional, serious, and combat ready.

Not too long ago, the USAF moved from the MH53J Pave Low to Blackhawks called Pave hawks to perform the Combat Search and Rescue missions.  This is primarily a Special Operations aircraft, and, if memory serves, the USAF 20th SO Wing flew those missions - a great unit if ever there was one...saved some good people I knew upon occasion.

So, now, there's an opportunity to get a really kick ass bird to go in and get our men and women behind the lines undetected, properly ventilate the bad people, and get out of dodge quickly.  But, instead, it appears to be a giant freakin' boondoggle.

Michael Goldfarb reports in the Weekly Standard that the Chinook version for CSAR is Nobody's First Choice.  Chinooks are certainly needed, but I don't think that CSAR is the place for them.  Be sure to check it out.

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Combat Search and Rescue - USAF needs a Chinook?

I'm not a *cough* pilot, and it's certainly been awhile since I've been on a helicopter (so apologies if my rusty memory is incorrect).  But I've been on a few MH53Js which I thought were amazing (what the hell is that "pizza rack" doing on a bird?).  Actually, I think the MH53J pilots were the best I've ever seen.   Their crews, unbelievably professional, serious, and combat ready.

Not too long ago, the USAF moved from the MH53J Pave Low to Blackhawks called Pave hawks to perform the Combat Search and Rescue missions.  This is primarily a Special Operations aircraft, and, if memory serves, the USAF 20th SO Wing flew those missions - a great unit if ever there was one...saved some good people I knew upon occasion.

So, now, there's an opportunity to get a really kick ass bird to go in and get our men and women behind the lines undetected, properly ventilate the bad people, and get out of dodge quickly.  But, instead, it appears to be a giant freakin' boondoggle.

Michael Goldfarb reports in the Weekly Standard that the Chinook version for CSAR is Nobody's First Choice.  Chinooks are certainly needed, but I don't think that CSAR is the place for them.  Be sure to check it out.

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Mike Goldfarb takes the Air Force to task over our new CSAR bird: CSAR stands for Combat Search and Rescue. The Air Force currently operates 102 Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters to perform that mission. The HH-60s average 25 years... [Read More]