Maj. Yonel Dorelis, who considers himself “just a regular guy doing a job,” has retired, ending a not-so-ordinary 28-year military flying career that saw him serve in all four US military branches, deploy to combat multiple times, and save more than 50 lives. “It’s been a great time,” explained Dorelis, who stepped down as an HH-60G helicopter pilot with the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev. A Pave Hawk pilot for 12 years before his Dec. 10 retirement, the New York City native began his military career with the Marine Corps in 1981. However, the Marines had too many pilot candidates, so he transferred to the Navy, where he flew CH-53 Sea Knights until 1991. He then flew Army National Guard UH-1s. Then, in 1997, he joined the Air National Guard, returning to active duty the next year. (Nellis report by 2nd Lt. Ken Lustig)
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.