First Jolly Green II for Davis-Monthan

On 3 May 2023, the first Lockheed Martin (Sikorsky) "Whiskey" HH-60W Jolly Green II for the 55th Rescue Squadron arrived at Davis-Monthan AFB (AZ).

Having arrived under de Arizona sun, the HH-60W, with serial number 4510 (20-14510), is now known to be the first Jolly Green II to be used for operational duties with the 55th RQS. Earlier, Scramble Magazine wrote about the first deliveries and tests of the HH-60W (See 1*, 2* and 3*). As the precursor, the HH-60G Pave Hawk is being phased out by the 55th RQS.

The Jolly Green II, which features multiple upgrades and a boost of four decades of technologies, will certainly accelerate the rescue mission at Davis-Monthan.

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.

Twenty years ago, the Golf model was inducted by the 55th RQS and it is expected that it will be replaced with a whiskey fleet by 2024.

Having a peculiar structure, the 55th RQS is subordinated to Air Combat Command's 563rd Rescue Group. The 563rd RQG, assigned to Davis-Monthan's 355th Wing, is also part of Air Combat Command (ACC) and is a Geographically Separated Unit (GSU) of the 23rd Wing at Moody AFB (GA).

Credit photos: USAF
Credit patch: www.aviatorgear.com