The 106th Rescue Wing’s first HH-60W Jolly Green II search and rescue helicopter has touched down at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base.

The arrival of the new helicopter, marks the beginning of a new era as the 106th begins its transition from the HH-60G Pave Hawk to the latest rescue helicopter, said Colonel Shawn Fitzgerald, the 106th Rescue Wing Commander.

The crew that ferried the aircraft from Moody Air Force Base in Georgia to Gabreski included two HH-60W instructor pilots, a special missions aviator, and two HH-60 crew chiefs from the 106th Rescue Wing.

The 106th crew chiefs met with their maintenance counterparts at Moody to ensure documentation was in order and performed a thorough check of the aircraft before heading to Gabreski, explained Master Sgt. Jordan Butler, an HH-60 crew chief. “It’s awesome being a part of the team to bring our first ‘Whiskey’ home, knowing that it’s the first of a new era for the wing is exciting. It’s difficult to go from something that you’ve worked on for 12 years, but a lot of the aircraft is similar, so learning the subtleties and nuances is going to be challenging but I’m excited to begin the transition,” Said Butler.

According to Lt. Col. Matthew Forbes, the 101st Rescue Squadron Commander, “ The current “Golf” models have served the wing since 1990.  Maintainers from the 106th have already begun their qualifications training and the first two aircrew members are currently at training receiving their qualifications. The HH-60W features improved turn performance, increased hover-at-altitude capabilities, larger cabin space, and an internal fuel system. From a pilot’s perspective, the biggest difference is the avionics package. You’re going from a federated cockpit to a fully integrated cockpit. There are a lot of upgrades that make us more survivable in major combat operations,” said Forbes.