The blades of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter sliced through the air at Kirtland Air Force Base on Tuesday, raising the helicopter into the air for the final flight before retirement. As the chopping sounds of the helicopter filled the air, Kirtland 58th Special Operations Wing personnel, waved to the aircraft as it lifted into the sky for the last time before piloting in the era of the HH-60W, also known as Jolly Green II.

“It’s a big deal,†said Lt. Col. Andrew Simpson of the 512th Rescue Squadron. “A lot of these guys have deployed on these aircrafts so it’s a little bittersweet saying goodbye ... but we know we’ve got a new aircraft coming.â€

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