- The U.S. Air Force confirmed that the 56th Rescue Generation Squadron has received its final HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter at Aviano Air Base, completing the unit’s transition to the new platform.
- The delivery completes fleet standardization for U.S. rescue operations in Europe and supports sustained personnel recovery readiness across the NATO theater.
The United States Air Force has confirmed that the 56th Rescue Generation Squadron (RGS) has received its final HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter, completing the unit’s transition to the service’s newest combat rescue platform, according to a service update released this week.
The final aircraft was delivered to Aviano Air Base, Italy, where the 56th RGS provides maintenance and generation support for U.S. Air Force rescue operations across the European theater. The delivery formally ends the squadron’s re-equipment process and brings its HH-60W fleet to full operational strength.
As noted by the U.S. Air Force, the HH-60W Jolly Green II was designed to meet long-range mission demands and operate in high-threat environments, supporting combat search and rescue, personnel recovery, and other special missions. The helicopter replaces the aging HH-60G Pave Hawk, which had been in service for decades.
The HH-60W features upgraded avionics, extended fuel capacity, improved communications, and enhanced survivability systems compared to earlier variants. These upgrades allow rescue crews to operate farther from base, remain on station longer, and coordinate more effectively with joint and allied forces in contested airspace.
The 56th RGS plays a central role in maintaining the readiness of rescue aircraft assigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe. The squadron is responsible for aircraft generation, inspection, repair, and mission preparation, ensuring that HH-60W helicopters are available for immediate tasking when required.
Aviano Air Base serves as a key hub for U.S. air operations in southern Europe, supporting NATO missions, regional deterrence, and rapid response operations. The completion of HH-60W deliveries to the 56th RGS strengthens the U.S. Air Force’s ability to sustain rescue operations across the Mediterranean region, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe.
According to the service, the HH-60W program is a core element of the U.S. Air Force’s personnel recovery modernization effort. The aircraft was developed to operate in environments where rescue forces may face modern air defenses, electronic warfare, and long distances between operating bases and recovery sites.
The delivery of the final aircraft allows the 56th RGS to fully standardize its maintenance, training, and logistics around a single platform, simplifying sustainment and improving sortie generation rates. Standardization also reduces the need to support legacy systems with limited parts availability.
The U.S. Air Force has steadily expanded HH-60W fielding across active-duty rescue units since the platform achieved initial operational capability. Units in the continental United States and overseas locations are now operating the helicopter as the primary combat rescue aircraft.