JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. — The Air Force received its first HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter at Joint Base Andrews on Monday, beginning a planned replacement of aging UH-1N Hueys used for national-security missions in the Washington region.
The aircraft is the first of 26 planned for the transition, according to Air Force. Officials say the newer helicopter has greater range, speed and payload capacity, expanding the service’s ability to transport senior leaders and respond to emergencies.
The installation’s helicopter mission dates to 1969, and its UH-1N aircraft have served since 1971. The change will require crews and maintainers to transition to the new platform while the base continues its existing mission.
Col. Karl W. Seekamp, the 316th Wing commander, said the modernization reflected a decision to update the equipment used to protect the country.
“The UH-1N has been a storied part of Joint Base Andrews for decades and has enabled us to respond 24/7 to a crisis or contingency in the nation’s capital,” said Seekamp. “We’re fortunate to be chosen as the newest home of the HH-60W, which will modernize our fleet and enable our vital mission for decades to come.”
The arrival marks the start of the fleet change, not the retirement of every Huey. The blue-painted helicopters, callsign MUSSEL, are a familiar sight over Washington, D.C. The Huey’s were used to evacuate members of Congress from the Capitol on September 11, 2001.
