Air Force Rescue Helicopter Proves Worth Amid Budget Uncertainty
The US Air Force’s latest combat rescue helicopter, the HH-60W Jolly Green II, has seen its first combat deployment, successfully retrieving a downed F-15 pilot in Iran. The operation highlights the helicopter’s capabilities, despite the Air Force’s decision not to request additional funds for the program in its fiscal 2027 budget. The HH-60W, built by Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky, is a derivative of the Army’s iconic Black Hawk. This development was first reported by Breaking Defense.