Pavelow Tribute

[@Krollings2059]

So. Joined the Marines in 84 and wanted to be a F-4 mech. From boot camp was assigned 53 A/Ds. Started flying as a mechanic. The first time I felt 9000+ HP break gravity, I was hooked! After a year we received the E model. Infatuation turned into love. What an amazing machine. What a great bunch of people and task. Meanwhile, went TAD to Pope AFB and the Air Force life ruined me and my perspective. EAS in 89 and joined the Air Guard and was a crew chief on 130s. It never scratched that itch. Why I didn't re-enlist in the chair force as a MH-53 crew bothers me to this day. What a glorious machine!

[@2-Hands]

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".

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

I worked on C models at McClellan. Little night vision camera on the front. Old school.

[@davidf9061]

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.

[@LK-pc4sq]

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.The squadron would also perform yearly Join Special Operation cross training with US Navy Seas and US Army Rangers. Other requirements was training H-3 NATO Pilots from Germany, Sweden and England. The MH53 at that time in history was globally the most advanced helicopter in the world. The First Gulf war, a J Model 53 led the flight a flight of Apache Helicopters to radar sites in Iraq and then they would take them out with missiles leading to the air campaign into Iraq.

[@christopherterrell1805]

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.

[@Jellyman1129]

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! 🥲🫡

[@d.w.richard7811]

I’m a retired 53e crewman this was a amazing video ty

[@Naseneruuu]

My father flew in the 20th SOS, with the MH-53s. SSGT Lee Ericson. He knew most of these guys who were KIA.

[@derekmaddox7236]

I had the privilege of working on the H, J, and M models. What an incredible aircraft.

[@TheBigford460]

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!

[@jasonmichael5894]

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. 😂

[@Johnnyblash123]

Know anyone named skelly? He was a crew chief around that time

[@jasonmichael5894]

@ajtikalsky9704 Name sounds familiar. I'm getting old, and my memory is going. (Lol)

[@Johnnyblash123]

@@jasonmichael5894 full name was Benjamin Tikalsky

[@lorilynn244]

MSGT Steve Brown served 1980-2001, Gunner Special Ops. Cowboy on a Steel Horse. Thank you all for your service 😘

[@system87music]

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!!

[@Woody-nc1ru]

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.

[@weswilliams8432]

You probably know my father then

[@Woody-nc1ru]

@@weswilliams8432 who's your dad?

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

Top speed about 200 I think. I used to work on the C models at McClellan AFB till 1979.

[@rigmat9872]

A beautiful aircraft

[@RandyAlexander100]

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.

[@StrikerVTB5]

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.

[@d.w.richard7811]

I was a 53e crewman navy side at HC4

[@drewb72]

Blewitt

[@drewb72]

Blewitt