Apache / Black Hawk CSAR

US Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk escorted by Army AH-64A Apache gunships during a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) exercise. CSAR birds will often try and sneak into hostile territory alone, but on other occasions, like the one practiced here, they will be covered by heavily armed helicopters and/or strike aircraft. Just such a mission occurred in 1995 when a US Air Force F-16 was shot down over Bosnia. A rescue package was des patched from a US Aircraft Carrier, consisting of USMC AV-8B Harriers, AH-1W Cobra gunships and CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopters. This package successfully flew into Southern Bosnia, picked up the ejected pilot and then returned safely, dodging enemy SAM attacks along the way.