First HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter received by 55th Rescue Squadron

The 55^th Rescue Squadron (RSQ) at Davis-Monthan (DM) Air Force Base received its first HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter – known as the whiskey model – on 3 May 2023.

This acquisition marks the end of the use of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters – also known as the golf model. This helicopter was used since the formation of the squadron in 2003, but will be replaced with a whiskey fleet by 2024.

Lt Col Jaymes Hines, 55^th RQS Commander, said: “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.”

The two airframes look similar, but the whiskey has a variety of external and internal upgrades that will accelerate the rescue mission at DM.

The key visible characteristic to differentiate between the airframes is the whiskey’s upward facing exhaust designed to reduce the helicopter’s infrared signature. Its cabin has also 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, 55^th RSQ 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.

The squadron will continue to receive more whiskies throughout the year.

This follows the recent first real-world casevac of a whiskey variant by the 303^rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron.