Search and rescue ready

Master Sgt. Austin Atkinson, 54th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, raises a force penetrator during a training mission near Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. The crew tested their accuracy with the hoist, performed a series of live extractions and practiced with an unmanned litter. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Liscomb, 54th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, secures an airman on a hoist as they’re lifted into a UH1-N helicopter near Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. Liscomb ensured that the Airman was safely seated and lifted into the aircraft as part of a search and rescue training. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Capt. Jonathan Bonilla, 54th Helicopter Squadron aircraft commander, conducts preflight checks on a UH1-N helicopter on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. Bonilla worked alongside his co-pilot and two flight engineers to ensure the aircraft was mission-ready. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

A UH1-N helicopter takes flight on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. The 54th Helicopter Squadron currently has eight helicopters in use. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Liscomb, 54th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, reviews flight information for a UH1-N helicopter training mission on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. The mission tested search and rescue capabilities in low-temperature conditions. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Liscomb, 54th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, waits near a UH1-N helicopter before a training mission on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. Before the training mission, Liscomb ensured everything from the propellers to the engines were flight-ready. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

A UH1-N helicopter takes off near a stand of trees during a training mission near Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. During the training, the crew accounted for blowing snow and extreme low temperatures as they tested their search and rescue skills. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Liscomb, 54th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, smiles during a search and rescue training mission near Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. During the training, Liscomb and the rest of a UH1-N helicopter crew practiced extracting individuals using a force penetrator. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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The crew of a UH1-N helicopter lowers a force penetrator into a barrel during a training mission near Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. The barrel was used to test the flight engineers accuracy during a simulated search and rescue mission. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Liscomb, 54th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, conducts preflight checks on a UH1-N helicopter on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. During checks, Liscomb ensures that everything from the propellers to the engines were flight-ready. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Master Sgt. Austin Atkinson, 54th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, reviews a binder during preflight checks on a UH1-N helicopter on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. During checks, Atkinson ensures that everything from the propellers to the engines were flight-ready. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Liscomb, 54th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, assembles a litter near Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. The litter was used during training to test the crews search and rescue capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Liscomb, 54th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, assembles a litter near Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. The litter was used during training to test the crews search and rescue capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Liscomb, 54th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, lowers a hoist from a UH1-N helicopter near Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. Liscomb practiced his accuracy with a force penetrator hoist by lowering it into a barrel approximately 50 feet below the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Capt. Jonathan Bonilla, 54th Helicopter Squadron aircraft commander, and 1st Lt. Kyle Nelson, 54th HS co-pilot, maneuver a UH1-N helicopter during a training mission near Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. During the training, the crew had to account for blowing snow and extreme low temperatures as they tested their search and rescue skills. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Liscomb, 54th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, checks his gear in a UH1-N helicopter near Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. Liscomb and a team of five other individuals dispatched to an area surrounding the base and practiced search and rescue operations. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

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Search and rescue ready

Published Feb. 13, 2015
By Senior Airman Stephanie Morris
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Capt. Jonathan Bonilla, 54th Helicopter Squadron aircraft commander; 1st Lt. Kyle Nelson, 54th HS co-pilot; and Master Sgt. Austin Atkinson and Tech. Sgt. Thomas Liscomb, 54th HS flight engineers, conduct search and rescue hoist training at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. The training tested the crews rescue capabilities while employing a force penetrator hoist and a litter. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)