201116-F-UQ958-1438

Two CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron approach for landings above northwest Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. The Osprey combines the vertical takeoff, landing and hover capabilities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficient and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1236

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Justin Gomez, a special missions aviator assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron, prepares for simulated rescue hoist operations on a CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft above northwest Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. Aircrew members with the 8th SOS fired approximately 600 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition and conducted simulated rescue hoists, honing aircrew proficiency to conduct global special operations any time, any place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1167

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Benjamin Duck, a special missions aviator assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron, conducts preflight inspections on a CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. The Osprey combines the vertical takeoff, landing and hover capabilities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficient and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1125

A checklist binder rests on a .50-caliber machine gun of a CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. Aircrew members with the 8th SOS fired approximately 600 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition and conducted simulated rescue hoists, honing aircrew proficiency to conduct global special operations any time, any place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1060

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Spencer Mikkelsen, a special missions aviator assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron, conducts preflight inspections on a CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. The Osprey combines the vertical takeoff, landing and hover capabilities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficient and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1050

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Spencer Mikkelsen, a special missions aviator assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron, conducts preflight inspections on a CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. The Osprey combines the vertical takeoff, landing and hover capabilities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficient and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1031

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Spencer Mikkelsen, a special missions aviator assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron, inspects .50-caliber ammunition at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. Aircrew members with the 8th SOS fired approximately 600 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition and conducted simulated rescue hoists, honing aircrew proficiency to conduct global special operations any time, any place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1010

Maintenance Airmen assigned to the 801st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron walk out the hoist cable of a CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. Aircrew members with the 8th SOS fired approximately 600 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition and conducted simulated rescue hoists, honing aircrew proficiency to conduct global special operations any time, any place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1415

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Spencer Mikkelsen, a special missions aviator assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron, scans the horizon from a CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft above the Emerald Coast, Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. The Osprey combines the vertical takeoff, landing and hover capabilities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficient and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1410

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Spencer Mikkelsen, a special missions aviator assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron, communicates with a teammate on a CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. The Osprey combines the vertical takeoff, landing and hover capabilities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficient and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1453

A CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron prepares to land above northwest Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. Aircrew members with the 8th SOS fired approximately 600 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition and conducted simulated rescue hoists, honing aircrew proficiency to conduct global special operations any time, any place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1316

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Spencer Mikkelsen, a special missions aviator assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron, fires a .50-caliber machine gun on a CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft above Eglin Range, Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. The Osprey combines the vertical takeoff, landing and hover capabilities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficient and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1448

A CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron approaches for landing above northwest Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. Aircrew members with the 8th SOS fired approximately 600 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition and conducted simulated rescue hoists, honing aircrew proficiency to conduct global special operations any time, any place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1290

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Justin Gomez, right, a special missions aviator assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron, lowers a rescue hoist from a CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Benjamin Duck, an SMA assigned to the 8th SOS, above northwest Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. Aircrew members with the 8th SOS fired approximately 600 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition and conducted simulated rescue hoists, honing aircrew proficiency to conduct global special operations any time, any place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1399

Two CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron approach for landings above northwest Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. The Osprey combines the vertical takeoff, landing and hover capabilities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficient and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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201116-F-UQ958-1427

A CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron approaches for landing above northwest Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. Aircrew members with the 8th SOS fired approximately 600 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition and conducted simulated rescue hoists, honing aircrew proficiency to conduct global special operations any time, any place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

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Ospreys hone rescue capabilities, combat readiness

Published Nov. 18, 2020
By Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --

A CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft crew assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron hone rescue capabilities and combat readiness at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Nov. 16, 2020. Aircrew members with the 8th SOS fired approximately 600 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition and conducted simulated rescue hoists, honing aircrew proficiency to conduct global special operations any time, any place.

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