Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 2-158 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade conduct routine flight training at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. on Feb. 7, 2023.
U.S. Army photo by Capt. Kyle Abraham, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade.
The US Army and Air National Guard H-60 Black Hawk helicopter aircrews represent a combined force that is always ready. Defined by unique multi-mission and mobilization capabilities, the Army and Air National Guard are uniquely positioned components of the United States Army and Air Force.
Search And Rescue
The UH-60M Black Hawk is the multi-mission backbone of the US Army, supporting search and rescue (SAR) efforts around the world today and during next decades, thanks to ongoing technology enhancements and a sturdy rescue hoist. This critical mission is also supported by the HH-60M, a MEDEVAC-equipped Black Hawk variant.
Currently, rescue efforts continue in Hawaii as the wildfire crisis continues. Hawaii Army National Guard helicopters have conducted medical evacuations and patient air transports in efforts to rescue residents.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Enrique Barcelo.
The Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II Combat Rescue Helicopter is an all-new helicopter developed and based on the design of the battle tested Black Hawk.
The HH-60W brings extended range, enhanced high/hot hover performance, highly integrated sensors, advanced defensive systems, additional data links, new weaponry, and situational awareness enhancing capabilities to allow for increased survivability and combat search and rescue (CSAR) mission success in the most challenging environments.
Cargo & Supply Transport
Sikorsky’s Black Hawk is well-known for its involvement in transport missions, including those critical to disaster relief efforts. It can carry up to 9,000 pounds of supplies. For example, the Arizona National Guard used Black Hawk helicopters to airlift vital PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to health care workers fighting COVID-19.
The Boise Fire Department’s Swiftwater/Dive Rescue Team joins the Idaho Army National Guard biannually for helicopter hoist training.
U.S. National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur.
Wildfire Suppression
The US National Guard’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters often serve in a firefighting capacity, sometimes alongside other Lockheed Martin aircraft such as Sikorsky’s Firehawk helicopter. UH-60 aircraft extinguish wildfires with the help of a Bambi Bucket, which can scoop and drop up to 650 gallons of water.
Most recently, amidst the wildfire crisis in Hawaii, National Guard units have been activated to assist with fire suppression, with the help of Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Guardsmen supported the firefighting efforts by doing 58 aerial water drops of more than 100,000 gallons of water in just one day.
U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Eddie Siguenza.
Personnel Transport
For decades, National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters have safely transported Guard personnel to vital missions close to home and around the world.
Medical Evacuation (medevac)
The US National Guard takes seriously its commitment to leave no one behind.
When a service member or civilian is hurt the HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter aircrews are on the way, equipped with stretchers, electric hoists and the technological enhancements for the mission that including more powerful engines and most developed avionic systems and flying instrumentation.
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