Air Force Retired HH-60G Pave Hawk Helicopter

The iconic combat search and rescue aircraft officially concluded over three decades of service on September 10, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Emergency Response

A military search and rescue helicopter with twin engines sits stationary on a wide, empty concrete airfield under a clear sky. — The U.S. Air Force officially retired its fleet of HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters on September 10, 2026, ending over three decades of service. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust that the Air Force's current aircraft replacement plan ensures adequate future disaster relief?

The United States Air Force retired the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter following its final flight on September 10, 2026. This conclusion marks the end of an era for the platform, which began military operations in 1982.

Why it matters

The Pave Hawk served as a critical asset for decades, performing essential combat search and rescue, disaster relief, and civilian rescue missions. Its retirement signifies that the aircraft has reached the end of its period of active service.

The Pave Hawk platform served for over three decades after debuting in 1982. The 129th Rescue Wing, which operated the final flight, recorded 1,190 lives saved during its tenure.

The players

United States Air Force

This is the branch of the United States Armed Forces primarily responsible for aerial warfare and the maintenance of the military's rotary-wing rescue assets.

129th Rescue Wing

This California Air National Guard unit is tasked with performing combat search and rescue as well as humanitarian disaster response operations.

The details

Derived from the UH-60 Black Hawk, the Pave Hawk was a workhorse for the Air Force in complex environments including Iraq and Afghanistan. The final mission was conducted by the 129th Rescue Wing of the California Air National Guard.

The Pave Hawk began military operations in 1982.
The aircraft made its final flight on September 10, 2026.

Seasonal Patterns

The retirement of the Pave Hawk marks the end of a specialized evolutionary path for the UH-60 Black Hawk platform. This transition reflects a broader shift toward new aerial search and rescue capabilities within the Air Force.

The transition of this aircraft does not impact civilian access to rescue services, as the Air National Guard maintains continued operational readiness. Residents should note that future search and rescue missions will be conducted by updated platform assets.

The takeaway

The retirement of the Pave Hawk serves as a reminder of the evolving requirements for military combat and civilian rescue technology. Operational units continue to adapt their capabilities to maintain the safety standards established during the Pave Hawk era.