Worked on them at Depot and used to have a sign on the back of my Tool Box that read: "We are Gray, We stand between the Candle and the Star, Between the Light and the Darkness, We live for the ONE, We die for the ONE, We are PAVELOW"... "PAVELOW Leads".
Great video! Flew as an Operational Support Medic on these amazing machines back in the 90s, 551st, Kirtland AFB. Some great aircrew, PJs!! Thanks for sharing this video!!
i WAS stationed at Kirtland AFB 1550 CCTW and these were our birds among the other squadrons. Our mission was to train PJs and Pilots before final assignment around the world.
My Dad was in the 1550th.(Then spent another 14 years on the civilian side there) I have his retirement sand painting from Tiffany Sand Designs outside the Wyoming gate…featuring the C-130,MH-53, HH-3, & UH-1. Have a patch too with the archaic looking sim…spent a lot of summer hours in those sims. Then logged over 2,000 hours in Army Aviation myself. I remember walking those jolly green foot prints outside of Chapman Hall as some of my earliest memories.
21st Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall U.K. from 2000-2002. I will always cherish those memories, especially my first TDY to Stuttgart AAF with Capt Plumhoff as my Aircraft Commander.
To all my brothers and sisters who had the luxury of living an loving this time and to the ones paid the ultimate sacrifice. God speed and I will never forget any of you!
My only thought is that the list of names is short. If this is the history of the Airforce H-53 there are a lot more names on the list. RIP too all who were lost in service on this wonderful bird.
Thank you for your comment. Yes, the names /video is a tribute specifically to the MH-53 Pavelow and its community that flew, maintained, and supported the Steel Horse throughout its history. I also included a tribute to pre-PaveLow as well in the first part. This video was created at the end of the MH-53's tenure in the USAF and played at its official retirement.
I’m not involved in the military whatsoever and this video still made me emotional. I just love the look of that chopper, especially from Transformers 2007. I’m sad to see it go. An amazing legacy that will live on in the hearts of millions. Great video! 🥲🫡
Hurlburt Field....16HMXS (Air Force Special Operations Command) 2004-2005. Balad Iraq...2005. Loved and missed working on these beasts. If it wasnt leaking hydraulic fluid, something was wrong. 😂
Worked on them at Depot and used to have a sign on the back of my Tool Box that read:
"We are Gray,
We stand between the Candle and the Star,
Between the Light and the Darkness,
We live for the ONE,
We die for the ONE,
We are PAVELOW"...
"PAVELOW Leads".
I worked on C models at McClellan. Little night vision camera on the front. Old school.
Great video! Flew as an Operational Support Medic on these amazing machines back in the 90s, 551st, Kirtland AFB. Some great aircrew, PJs!! Thanks for sharing this video!!
i WAS stationed at Kirtland AFB 1550 CCTW and these were our birds among the other squadrons. Our mission was to train PJs and Pilots before final assignment around the world.
My Dad was in the 1550th.(Then spent another 14 years on the civilian side there) I have his retirement sand painting from Tiffany Sand Designs outside the Wyoming gate…featuring the C-130,MH-53, HH-3, & UH-1. Have a patch too with the archaic looking sim…spent a lot of summer hours in those sims. Then logged over 2,000 hours in Army Aviation myself. I remember walking those jolly green foot prints outside of Chapman Hall as some of my earliest memories.
21st Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall U.K. from 2000-2002. I will always cherish those memories, especially my first TDY to Stuttgart AAF with Capt Plumhoff as my Aircraft Commander.
A beautiful aircraft
I had the privilege of working on the H, J, and M models. What an incredible aircraft.
To all my brothers and sisters who had the luxury of living an loving this time and to the ones paid the ultimate sacrifice. God speed and I will never forget any of you!
My father flew in the 20th SOS, with the MH-53s. SSGT Lee Ericson. He knew most of these guys who were KIA.
When? ask him if he knew a capt. kim!
MSGT Steve Brown served 1980-2001, Gunner Special Ops. Cowboy on a Steel Horse. Thank you all for your service 😘
I’m a retired 53e crewman this was a amazing video ty
My only thought is that the list of names is short. If this is the history of the Airforce H-53 there are a lot more names on the list. RIP too all who were lost in service on this wonderful bird.
Thank you for your comment. Yes, the names /video is a tribute specifically to the MH-53 Pavelow and its community that flew, maintained, and supported the Steel Horse throughout its history. I also included a tribute to pre-PaveLow as well in the first part. This video was created at the end of the MH-53's tenure in the USAF and played at its official retirement.
I was a 53e crewman navy side at HC4
I’m not involved in the military whatsoever and this video still made me emotional. I just love the look of that chopper, especially from Transformers 2007. I’m sad to see it go.
An amazing legacy that will live on in the hearts of millions. Great video! 🥲🫡
Hurlburt Field....16HMXS (Air Force Special Operations Command) 2004-2005. Balad Iraq...2005. Loved and missed working on these beasts. If it wasnt leaking hydraulic fluid, something was wrong. 😂
Know anyone named skelly? He was a crew chief around that time
@ajtikalsky9704 Name sounds familiar. I'm getting old, and my memory is going. (Lol)
@@jasonmichael5894 full name was Benjamin Tikalsky
I think it was so cool at the beginning of GW1 that the apache pilots had to ask for the 53 to slow down, they can't keep up.
You probably know my father then
@@weswilliams8432 who's your dad?
Top speed about 200 I think. I used to work on the C models at McClellan AFB till 1979.
Blewitt
Blewitt