550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Tech. Sgt. Alex Graves, 550th Helicopter Squadron operations superintendent, and Staff Sgt. Collin Carbone-marron, 550th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, sit together on an MH-139A Grey Wolf April 26, 2024, in the Highwood Mountains, Mont. The name Grey Wolf derives from the wild species that roams the northern tier of North America, which also encompasses the intercontinental ballistic missile bases in Air Force Global Strike Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Tech. Sgt. Alex Graves, 550th Helicopter Squadron operations superintendent, scans a landing zone for any potential hazards during an MH-139A Grey Wolf flight April 26, 2024, in the Highwood Mountains, Mont. The rotor diameter of the Grey Wolf is slightly smaller than the UH-1N Huey, but the adjustment from set skids to wheeled landing gear requires special attention while landing in unprepared helicopter landing zones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Capt. Jared Kreuzer, 40th Helicopter Squadron pilot, speaks with his copilot during a flight in an MH-139A Grey Wolf April 26, 2024, over the Highwood Mountains near Great Falls, Mont. Malmstrom Air Force Base’s helicopter crews fly in the mountains because the conditions are the most difficult to navigate and provide the most realistic training for search and rescue missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Maj. Jay Murnyack, 550th Helicopter Squadron pilot, speaks to Capt. Jared Kreuzer, 550th Helicopter Squadron pilot, during an MH-139A Grey Wolf flight April 26, 2024 over the Highwood Mountains near Great Falls, Mont. Once qualified in mountain flying, pilots must fulfill training requirements for each aspect of the qualification every 45 days, to keep their certification current. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Tech. Sgt. Alex Graves, 550th Helicopter Squadron operations superintendent, and Staff Sgt. Collin Carbone-marron, 550th HS flight engineer, prepare to lower a hoist on an MH-139A Grey Wolf April 26, 2024, over the Highwood Mountains near Great Falls, Mont. The Grey Wolf incorporates an autopilot mode for hovering, which reduces pilot fatigue, while increasing safety for both the crew and hoist rider. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Tech. Sgt. Phillip Hill, 582nd Helicopter Group special mission aviator, scans a landing zone for any potential hazards during an MH-139A Grey Wolf flight April 26, 2024, over the Highwood Mountains near Great Falls, Mont. The rotor diameter of the Grey Wolf is slightly smaller than the UH-1N Huey, but the adjustment from set skids to wheeled landing gear requires special attention while landing in unprepared helicopter landing zones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

An MH-139A Grey Wolf from the 550th Helicopter Squadron sits on hill overlooking the Highwood Mountains near Great Falls, Mont. April 26, 2024. The Grey Wolf provides the ability to cruise 50% faster and farther than the UH-1N Huey helicopters, while also having a 30% larger cabin and capability to lift 5,000 pounds more. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Capt. Jared Kreuzer, 550th Helicopter Squadron pilot, speaks with his copilot during a flight in an MH-139A Grey Wolf April 26, 2024, over the Highwood Mountains near Great Falls, Mont. The MH-139A was designed to be a direct replacement to the Air Force’s aging fleet of UH-1N Huey helicopters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Tech. Sgt. Alex Graves, 550th Helicopter Squadron operations superintendent, explains the controls of a forward-looking infrared controller to Staff Sgt. Collin Carbone-Marron, 550th HS flight engineer, April 26, 2024, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. FLIR devices allow objects to be identified within an image due to their temperature, making them integral to the success of the helicopter squadrons search and rescue mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Tech. Sgt. Phillip Hill, 582nd Helicopter Group special mission aviator, speaks with Capt. Jared Kreuzer, 40th Helicopter Squadron pilot, during preflight checks on an MH-139A Grey Wolf April 26, 2024, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. A meticulous pre-flight inspection is the cornerstone of safe helicopter operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Airmen from the 550th Helicopter Squadron conduct preflight checks on an MH-139A Grey Wolf April 26, 2024, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Pre-flight inspections can indicate any possible problems that may exist before take-off, allowing the pilot to assess flight safety conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Staff Sgt. Collin Carbone-Marron, 550th Helicopter Squadron special mission aviator, runs power assurance check numbers with Tech. Sgt. Alex Graves, 550th HS Operations Superintendent, April 26, 2024, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Power assurance checks are done daily to confirm that the engines are producing appropriate power before conducting operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Capt. Jared Kreuzer, 40th Helicopter Squadron pilot, surveys the cabin of an MH-139A Grey Wolf during preflight checks April 26, 2024, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. From checking the mechanical components to reviewing weather conditions, a comprehensive pre-flight checklist is essential for ensuring safety and preparedness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Capt. Jared Kreuzer, 40th Helicopter Squadron pilot, adjusts an altitude selector knob April 26, 2024, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The altitude selector knob directs the aircraft flight director to either climb or descend to the pilot’s selected altitude while using the aircraft autopilot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

An MH-139A Grey Wolf from the 550th Helicopter Squadron stabilizers in a hover atop a hill before conducting hoist training, during a flight April 26, 2024, over the Highwood Mountains near Great Falls, Mont. Hoist training is an integral part of Malmstrom’s helicopter squadrons, posturing them to support civil search and rescue operations when needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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550th Helicopter Squadron undergoes MH-139 conversion training

Published May 28, 2024
By Senior Airman Mary Bowers
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Tech. Sgt. Alex Graves, 550th Helicopter Squadron operations superintendent, and Staff Sgt. Collin Carbone-marron, 550th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, sit together on an MH-139A Grey Wolf April 26, 2024, in the Highwood Mountains, Mont. The name Grey Wolf derives from the wild species that roams the northern tier of North America, which also encompasses the intercontinental ballistic missile bases in Air Force Global Strike Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)