The Jolly Green II will be fully integrated into the 55th Rescue Squadron by 2024 as their HH-60G Pave Hawks are phased out.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paige Weldon.
U.S.Air Force by Airman 1st Class Paige Weldon, 35th Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — The 55th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base received their first Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter, also known as the whiskey model, May 3, 2023.
«This HH-60W represents the first of many rescue helicopters at DM as we re-capitalize and sustain our future combat search and rescue capabilities and capacity,» said Lt. Col. Jaymes Hines, 55th Rescue Squadron commander.
With the first whiskey model acquisition, comes the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter’s, also known as the golf model, farewell. The golf model spurred the formation of the 55th RQS in 2003 and will be replaced with a whiskey fleet by 2024.
While the two air frames look very similar, the whiskey has a variety of external and internal upgrades that will accelerate the rescue mission at DM.
This is the first of many Jolly Green IIs that will be acquired by the 55th Rescue Squadron as they begin phasing out the HH-60G Pave Hawks.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paige Weldon.
The key visible characteristic to differentiate between the air frames is the whiskey’s upward facing exhaust designed to reduce the helicopter’s infrared signature.
The Sikorsky HH-60W whiskey cabin has been extended, allowing pararescuemen more space to perform lifesaving actions.
“The whiskey model is able to achieve a higher speed than the golf as well as having an upgraded weapons system,” said Tech. Sgt. Robert Matthews, 55th Rescue Generation Squadron flight line expediter. “All these upgrades will elevate our ability to rescue those in need.”
Upgraded avionics and other systems will provide aircrew with more accurate information at a faster pace, enabling them to execute the rescue mission more swiftly.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paige Weldon.
The new model HH-60W furthers Airmen’s knowledge and cements them as the backbone for maintaining flying operations to accomplish the mission.
“The new generation of maintainers are arriving and are highly motivated to learn a new platform,” Matthews said. “The squadron is very excited about the whiskey models and are eager to begin working on them.”
The 55th RQS will continue to receive more whiskies as their golfs are retired throughout the next year.
“Securing the whiskies ensures the rescue mission continues at DM,” said Matthews. “We will continue to preserve the motto ‘that others may live’ for years to come.”
-USAF-
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