MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – The 908th Airlift Wing passed a couple milestones in October as it continues to make progress in its transition from a fixed-wing tactical airlift mission to rotary-wing training unit.
Four pilots received their initial qualifications on the Air Force’s MH-139A Grey Wolf, simultaneously earning Federal Aviation Administration certification to fly the civilian AW-139 helicopter and its military variant. The first in the Air Force Reserve Command, two of the pilots attended training at the main training and simulator facility of the aircraft’s manufacturer, Leonardo, in Philadelphia, and the other two attended FlightSafety International in Lafayette, Louisiana. All 908th AW pilots are expected to earn their mission qualification in conjunction with initial operational test and evaluation expected to begin in autumn of 2024. Two more pilots are currently attending initial MH-139 training at the Leonardo facility.
Additionally, two special mission aviators, who will serve in non-pilot positions aboard the MH-139, have completed academic training at the Leonardo facility. They will complete aircrew qualification in the spring of 2024 upon arrival of the first of the new aircraft here.
908th aircraft maintenance personnel are on duty at Duke Field, Florida, verifying and validating Air Force technical orders and instructions pertaining to the MH-139. This is to ensure that the translation of civilian manuals to military manuals meet military requirements.
For more information, please contact the 908th AW Public Affairs office: 334-953-6804/7874
The 908th Airlift Wing is Alabama’s only Air Force Reserve wing. The wing has approximately 1,100 Reserve Citizen Airmen, serving in more than 80 career fields, with Traditional Reservists, Air Reserve Technicians, Active Guard-Reserve, and civilian employees conducting day-to-day operations.
