NOVEMBER 3, 2026 – Joint Base Andrews marked a historic milestone Nov. 2, with the arrival of the first HH-60W Jolly Green II, bringing a new generation of Air Force rotary-wing capabilities to the nation’s capital for the first time in 60 years.
The Air Force has flown the UH-1N Huey out of JB Andrews for decades, but with the arrival of the HH-60W, the service will now bring significantly expanded capabilities to the National Capitol Region.
“Our leaders recognized the need for change and decided to rapidly modernize the equipment that we use to protect our nation,” said Col. Karl W. Seekamp, 316th Wing and installation commander. “…this critical mission deserves the modern capability and safety upgrades that are available today.”
With a larger airframe and bigger fuel capacity, the Jolly Green II can fly faster and farther, extending the operational reach of the Air Force’s response in times of crisis and contingency. It also provides nearly three times the airlift capability of the UH-1N.
The arrival of the Jolly Green II represents a new chapter in the Air Force’s rotary-wing history, building on a legacy established by the 1st Helicopter Squadron, which served as the Air Force’s only rotary-wing unit in the National Capital Region for six decades.
The aircraft will first be assigned to the 5th Helicopter Squadron, which is charged with training the force and establishing the new fleet, while the 1st HS will fly the UH-1N to provide continuous support of Andrews’ 24/7 no-fail national security mission.
Since 1969, the 1st HS has conducted immediate-response contingency operations in support of critical national security requirements while maintaining a rigorous training schedule to ensure mission readiness. The squadron has flown the UH-1N Huey since 1971, and three of the aircraft that flew during the Vietnam War remain in service today.
That history is an important part of the transition to the Jolly Green II.
“It is important that we honor the legacy of what the Huey has done for safety and operations as a whole,” noted Lt. Col. Jonathan Bonilla, 5th HS commander. “We must remember this while we, as an Air Force, continue to look into the future.”
While the Huey has a storied history of saving lives through its light-lift capabilities, particularly during the Vietnam War, the arrival of the HH-60W represents an investment in modernizing the Andrews’ rotary-wing capabilities and providing a more versatile aircraft to meet evolving operational requirements.
“I think the [HH-60] Whiskey is absolutely the right call,” said Capt. Joshua Lemon, 316th Operations Group executive officer and UH-1N instructor pilot, who will be part of the first class of aircrew transitioning to the new aircraft. “It is inherently a joint airframe, meaning that almost any branch or agency in the area can call on us and we can lend a hand, or an aircraft. It makes us part of a bigger team.”
Although rotary-wing aircraft represent a small but vital part of the Air Force, their maneuverability and ability to operate in areas inaccessible to many fixed-wing aircraft make them essential to a wide range of missions. The arrival of the Jolly Green II ensures JB Andrews’ long-term ability to respond to national security requirements across the nation’s capital.
Introducing a new airframe also strengthens the Wing’s readiness for future mission needs and modernizes a crucial fleet of aircraft that supports U.S. senior leaders. Beginning in 2027, designated classes of Airmen from JB Andrews’ helicopter squadrons will receive familiarization training from certified Sikorsky aircrews. Following the course, select Airmen will be qualified to instruct their fellow crewmembers in HH-60W safety and familiarization procedures. As each class graduates, both the 1st and 5th HS will have a growing team of aircrew who can fly both the HH-60W and the UH-1N, enabling 24/7 continuous support.
As the Jolly Green II takes its place on the JB Andrews flightline, it carries forward a mission shaped by decades of service. The Huey’s legacy remains an enduring part of that history, while the arrival of the HH-60W ensures the installation is equipped to meet the demands of the future.
By Senior Airman Alexis Redin
316th Wing Public Affairs