The U.S. Air Force 129th Rescue Wing is replacing the HH-60G Pave Hawk with six newer HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters.

The first two helicopters arrived this month and the wing plans to receive the next four by the end of 2026. The Jolly Greens offer better integration tools, advanced avionics and improved survivability, with upgraded radar, laser, missile and fire warnings.

“It brings new systems with new interoperability, with those systems not only with our aircraft but with the rest of the combat Air Force,” said U.S. Air Force. Maj. John Kerr, an HH-60 pilot assigned to the wing. “What really makes the HH-60W have a better power advantage is its aerodynamics,” said Kerr. “The blades are much more aerodynamically efficient, so they produce more lift, and that translates to more power and torquing capability.”