Maintenance still turning wrenches amid COVID-19 pandemic Published March 21, 2020 By Andre, 943rd Rescue Group Public Affairs DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- On March 19, members of the 943rd Maintenance Squadron reported to work with minimal staffing, in order maintain readiness of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lt. Col. Anthony, 943rd MXS commander said, “The safety of our personnel is our main priority, so to reduce the chance of exposure we’re combining the use of telework and minimal manning to accomplish the mission.” Through the use of Air Force tools like virtual private network (VPN), Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (AFPAAS), and other digital technologies, these Airmen are able to keep the lines of communication open and continue passing along vital information. Today’s task involves the continuation of a 600-hour phase inspection for the HH-60G Pave Hawk, tail number 227. During this inspection, maintainers go through every nook and cranny of the aircraft looking for damage, rust or corrosion. Aircraft 227 is significant because it was used to make the actual pick up of Navy SEAL Marcus Latrell in 2005, as depicted in the film The Lone Survivor starring Mark Wahlberg. During the entire phase process maintainers remove more than 620 parts from the aircraft in order to access the 1,136 items that must be checked during this process. Once the parts are removed, any discrepancies found must be fixed to meet aviation safety standards. The average phase inspection lasts 100 days, after which the aircraft is reassembled. Lt. Col. Anthony said, “Our folks are motivated and we’re ready for anything, including the potential for rescue missions.”