Articles

20th SOS completes final mountain training

  • Published
  • By Amy Oliver
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The 20th Special Operations Squadron and the 1st Special Operations Helicopter Maintenance Squadron have completed the final MH-53 mountain training exercise in the Appalachian Mountains in western Virginia and southern West Virginia. 

Approximately 90 operations and maintenance personnel arrived in Roanoke, Va., May 28 and returned to Hurlburt Field June 5. 

While there, the aircrews took part in highly realistic training, sharpening their abilities to combat enemies in mountainous regions abroad. 

Despite the fact the MH-53 will be retired from the Air Force inventory at the end of September, training is still vital. The 20th SOS will remain in the fight until the very end, with the final flight being flown in combat. 

The squadron has typically conducted this training in Asheville, N.C., in the past, but scheduling conflicts prevented them from operating there this time. 

This is the first time they've worked in the Roanoke area, an area not accustomed to military presence. A proactive community awareness campaign introduced local residents to the 20th SOS, and the squadron even landed an aircraft in a city soccer field, allowing residents to tour the helicopter they'd seen buzzing over their neighborhoods. 

"Flying in the mountains is much more challenging than flying down at sea level," said Lt. Col. Gene Becker, 20th SOS director of operations. "The mountains here in Virginia offer a great opportunity."