MH-53s fly final combat missions

Tech. Sgt. Corey Fossbender checks a weapon gun prior to the last combat mission of the MH-53 Pave Low helicopter Sept. 27 in Iraq. The MH-53 is being retired after nearly 40 years of service to the Air Force. Sergeant Fossbender is an MH-53 aerial gunner from the 20th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)

MH-53s fly final combat missions

Lt. Col. Gene Becker speaks to the crews and maintainers after the last combat mission of the MH-53 Pave Low Sept. 28 in Iraq. The 20th ESOS MH-53 helicopters and their crews provided much of the vertical lift, direct action and logistical resupply to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force in Iraq. Colonel Becker is the 20th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)

Taking a bow

An MH-53 Pave Low flies over the coastline near Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 20. The helicopter, assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, flies long-range missions for infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces, and will retire in October. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

New MH-53M helicopter exhibit opens at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force's newest exhibit, the Sikorsky MH-53M Pave Low IV, sits on display in the Cold War Gallery at the museum in Dayton, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Fly high, pave low

MH-53 Pave Low helicopters from the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., fly over a live-fire range June 12 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Pave Low's mission is low-level, long-range, undetected penetration into denied areas, day or night, in adverse weather, for infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Emily Moore)

Fly high, pave low

MH-53 Pave Low helicopters from the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., fly over a live-fire range June 12 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The helicopter's terrain-following and terrain-avoidance radar, forward-looking infrared sensor, inertial navigation system with global positioning system enable the crew to follow terrain contours. This helps the crew to avoid obstacles in adverse weather, making low-level tactical penetration possible. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Emily Moore)