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U.S. Air Force

Helicopter Squadrons

The Air Force's rotary wing force. From HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters to UH-1N Huey security flights, USAF helicopter squadrons perform combat search and rescue, VIP transport, and ICBM security.

Helicopter
Explore Helicopter Squadrons
CSAR / HH-60W / MH-139 / CV-22
Rotary Wing Warriors Est. 1952
HELICOPTER
RESCUE / SECURITY / SOF
Helicopter Squadrons
HH-60 / MH-139 / CV-22
HH-60W
Jolly Green II
MH-139
Grey Wolf
CV-22
Osprey (AFSOC)
CSAR
COMBAT SAR
USAF helicopter squadrons perform some of the most dangerous missions in the Air Force. HH-60W Jolly Green II crews fly combat search and rescue, going deep behind enemy lines to recover downed aircrew. MH-139A Grey Wolves are replacing UH-1N Hueys for ICBM security and VIP transport. CV-22 Ospreys assigned to AFSOC infiltrate and exfiltrate special operations forces. The helicopter force is small but its missions are critical. When a pilot goes down, the helicopters go in. Read more
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Jolly Greens to GWOT CSAR 1962 - Present
JOLLY GREEN
VIETNAM CSAR
Jolly Green Giants - Vietnam
That Others May Live
HH-3E
Jolly Green Giant
HH-53
Super Jolly
CSAR
Combat SAR
Vietnam
RESCUE MISSIONS
The Jolly Green Giants of Vietnam were HH-3E and HH-53 helicopter crews who flew into the most heavily defended airspace in the world to rescue downed aircrews. Escorted by A-1 Skyraider Sandy aircraft, Jolly Green crews pulled pilots out of North Vietnamese jungle while under intense ground fire. The Jolly Green callsign became synonymous with courage under fire. Their motto, That Others May Live, is the Pararescue creed that still drives CSAR today. Read more
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HH-60W
SIKORSKY / STRATFORD
HH-60W Jolly Green II
The Modern CSAR Platform
HH-60W
Jolly Green II
920nm
Combat Radius
Hoist
Rescue Operations
41st RQS
MOODY AFB, GA
The HH-60W Jolly Green II is the newest CSAR helicopter in the USAF inventory. It doubles the combat radius of the HH-60G Pave Hawk it replaces, carries more fuel, and has improved defensive systems. The 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB was among the first units to receive the HH-60W. Paired with HC-130J Combat King II tankers and Pararescuemen, the Jolly Green II gives the Air Force the ability to recover personnel deep in contested airspace. Read more
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HH-60W
Jolly Green II
CSAR
Combat Search Rescue
MH-139
Grey Wolf
TOML
That Others May Live