33rd RQS commander takes final flight

U.S. Air Force Col. Louis Nolting, 33rd Rescue Squadron commander, checks the rotor blades of an HH-60W Jolly Green II before his final flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025. Successor to the HH-60G Pave Hawk, the Jolly Green II is equipped with an enhanced avionics package and superior equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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33rd RQS commander takes final flight

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Caleb Partain, 33rd Rescue Squadron special mission aviator, performs pre-flight checks before takeoff at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025. SMA’s are highly trained specialists that perform a multitude of integral roles, including conducting pre-flight inspections of aircraft systems and providing weapon defense when necessary, ensuring mission success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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33rd RQS commander takes final flight

U.S. Air Force Col. Louis Nolting, 33rd Rescue Squadron commander, pilots an HH-60W Jolly Green II at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025. The 33rd RQS conducts training on low-level flying, hoisting, water rescue, entering hostile environments and more to ensure mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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33rd RQS commander takes final flight

A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II flies off the coast of Okinawa, May 30, 2025. The Jolly Green II is designed for mission critical operations to include personnel recovery, humanitarian missions, civil search and rescue, disaster relief, medical evacuations and non-combatant evacuations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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33rd RQS commander takes final flight

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Caleb Partain, 33rd Rescue Squadron special mission aviator, looks out the window of an HH-60W Jolly Green II over Okinawa, Japan, May 30, 2025. The Jolly Green II is designed for mission critical operations to include personnel recovery, humanitarian missions, civil search and rescue, disaster relief, medical evacuations and non-combatant evacuations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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33rd RQS commander takes final flight

U.S. Air Force Col. Louis Nolting, left, 33rd Rescue Squadron commander hugs U.S. Air Force Capt. Troy Fenner, 33rd RQS mobility officer, after his final flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025. Final flights are a time-honored tradition that allow the aircrew's family to have a hand in an important operational moment and celebrate the member’s time at their unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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33rd RQS commander takes final flight

Published June 8, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

U.S. Air Force Col. Louis Nolting, 33rd Rescue Squadron commander and HH-60W Jolly Green II pilot, completes his final flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025. Final flights are a time-honored tradition that allow the aircrew's family to have a hand in an important operational moment and celebrate the member’s time at their unit.