Today’s “SOF Pic of the Day” captures a dramatic moment in the skies: a US Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk unleashing a countermeasure flare as an F-15D Eagle maneuvers above during a joint over-water test flight on August 20, 2025. The scene comes from a Joint Test Evaluation, underscoring the precision, readiness, and coordination that define modern Air Force operations.
The flare streaking across the horizon is more than just a bright display as it’s also a life-saving measure designed to confuse heat-seeking missiles and safeguard both crew and aircraft.
The HH-60G Pave Hawk: Background and Role
The HH-60G Pave Hawk is the Air Force’s dedicated combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter, derived from the battle-proven UH-60 Black Hawk.
Entering service in the late 1980s, the Pave Hawk quickly distinguished itself as the go-to platform for recovering downed aircrew and isolated personnel from hostile territory. Its mission profile extends well beyond combat, with roles in disaster relief, humanitarian aid, medical evacuation, and direct support of special operations forces.
Equipped for survival in contested environments, the HH-60G carries advanced avionics: integrated INS/GPS/Doppler navigation, Satellite Communications (SATCOM), secure anti-jam communications, forward-looking infrared (FLIR), and lighting compatible with night vision goggles. Coupled with an automatic flight control system and weather radar, these systems enable low-level, all-weather missions under fire or in the dead of night.
Crew and Capabilities
The helicopter typically flies with a crew of four—two pilots, a flight engineer, and a gunner—though it can carry additional pararescuemen, medics, or 8–12 troops depending on mission requirements. Powered by two General Electric T700-GE-700 or -701C turboshaft engines producing roughly 1,940 shp each, the aircraft reaches speeds close to 195 mph and boasts a combat range of about 500 nautical miles.
Armament includes twin 7.62mm miniguns or .50 caliber machine guns, complemented by a rescue hoist rated to lift 600 pounds from up to 200 feet. Its 8,000-pound cargo hook and troop capacity further enhance mission versatility. Defensive systems—radar warning receivers, infrared jammers, and flare/chaff dispensers like the one seen in today’s photo—allow it to press into hostile zones and get back out.
A Mission-Ready Workhorse
At 64 feet in length with a 53-foot rotor diameter, the Pave Hawk is a medium-lift machine built to adapt.
From Afghanistan’s rugged terrain to hurricane-devastated coastlines, it has served as both warrior and rescuer. Operators—especially Air Force Pararescue teams (PJs)—rely on its speed, range, and survivability to reach those stranded behind enemy lines or trapped in disaster zones.
This over-water test flight alongside the F-15D Eagle is a snapshot of the Air Force’s commitment to joint effectiveness. While the Pave Hawk sweeps low with countermeasures deployed, the Eagle dominates the high-altitude fight—together creating layered protection in scenarios that demand speed, precision, and overwhelming readiness.
Bottom line: the HH-60G Pave Hawk is more than just a helicopter. It’s a lifeline. From combat rescues to humanitarian relief, it carries forward a tradition of “That Others May Live”—a motto etched into every mission it flies.