US Air Force Prepares HH-60 Helicopters For Maritime Operations in High-Intensity Warfare
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On August 27, 2025, the US Air Force announced a series of trials conducted by the 129th Rescue Wing of the California Air National Guard, in cooperation with the 144th Fighter Wing and the Air Force Reserve Command Test Center. This evaluation campaign, the first of its kind, took place off the coast of California and aimed to test the effectiveness of rescue helicopter countermeasure systems against modern aerial threats in a maritime environment. The exercise also received technical support from the Naval Air Warfare Center at Point Mugu, underscoring the importance of interagency collaboration in operational preparation. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
An HH-60G Pave Hawk deploys countermeasure flares as an F-15D Eagle maneuvers overhead during a joint over-water test flight, Aug. 20, 2025 (Picture source: US DoD)
The tests involved an F-15D Eagle from the 144th Fighter Wing engaging two rescue helicopters: an HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 129th Rescue Wing and an HH-60W Jolly Green II from the 305th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The simulated scenarios recreated realistic conditions of confrontation at sea and assessed the aircraft’s ability to survive against aerial threats equipped with modern radars and weapons systems. A central objective was to evaluate the performance of HH-60 sensors and warning systems when targeted by radar tracking and missile threats, while factoring in the maritime environment, where humidity and salinity can affect equipment.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Don Smith, deputy director of the AATC HH-60 Division, this was the first such evaluation for the HH-60W. The data collected will help determine the effectiveness of countermeasures against fighter aircraft operating over water. These results will inform future training programs and equipment upgrades aimed at improving the survivability of rescue crews in contested airspaces. Analytical support was provided by Modern Technology Solutions Inc., a Las Vegas-based company specializing in electronic warfare, which contributed expertise in planning, logistics, test execution, and performance analysis.
The 129th Rescue Wing is currently transitioning from the HH-60G to the HH-60W, a process that requires adapting procedures, tactics, and training. The HH-60G, in service since the 1980s, is a Black Hawk derivative designed for personnel recovery in hostile environments. It is equipped with a comprehensive navigation suite, an in-flight refueling probe, a 600-pound hoist, and can carry two 7.62 mm or .50 caliber machine guns. Defensive systems include a radar warning receiver, infrared jammer, and flare and chaff dispensers, which have supported its use in multiple conflicts and humanitarian operations, ranging from Iraq and Kosovo to disaster response missions such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2011 tsunami in Japan.
The HH-60W Jolly Green II, which is gradually replacing the HH-60G, is tailored to meet contemporary threats. Based on the UH-60M Black Hawk, it integrates modern avionics with digital displays, tactical data links such as Link 16 and SADL, and a full suite of defensive sensors, including a digital radar warning receiver, missile and hostile fire detectors, and integrated countermeasure dispensers. Its armored cockpit and cabin, redesigned exhausts to reduce infrared signature, and optimized rotor blades further enhance protection. The aircraft can be armed with 7.62 mm or .50 caliber machine guns mounted externally and offers extended range, close to 600 nautical miles, with a ceiling of 20,000 feet. Operational since 2022, it represents an adaptation of the Air Force’s rescue capability to high-intensity threat environments.
Photographs released from the exercise show the helicopters deploying flares and chaff while the F-15D conducted simulated attack maneuvers. The purpose was to measure the responsiveness and effectiveness of systems such as the AN/APR-52 Radar Warning Receiver, the AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System, and the AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser. These systems form the helicopters’ first line of defense during recovery missions conducted in contested areas, particularly when retrieving downed pilots behind enemy lines.
The participation of active-duty forces, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve demonstrated the intention to strengthen interoperability and operational coherence across the Air Force. Lieutenant Colonel Terry Parham, director of the AATC HH-60 Division, highlighted that the exercise is particularly valuable for the Air National Guard, which often has fewer opportunities for specialized training despite carrying out missions equivalent to active-duty units. Such training opportunities help maintain operational readiness across components.
These tests mark an important stage in adapting US rescue helicopters to modern threats. By validating new tactics, evaluating protective systems in demanding maritime conditions, and bringing together multiple Air Force components, the service is working to improve the resilience of its platforms. The data obtained will guide future developments in training, doctrine, and equipment, reinforcing the ability of rescue units to operate effectively in high-intensity environments.
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On August 27, 2025, the US Air Force announced a series of trials conducted by the 129th Rescue Wing of the California Air National Guard, in cooperation with the 144th Fighter Wing and the Air Force Reserve Command Test Center. This evaluation campaign, the first of its kind, took place off the coast of California and aimed to test the effectiveness of rescue helicopter countermeasure systems against modern aerial threats in a maritime environment. The exercise also received technical support from the Naval Air Warfare Center at Point Mugu, underscoring the importance of interagency collaboration in operational preparation. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
An HH-60G Pave Hawk deploys countermeasure flares as an F-15D Eagle maneuvers overhead during a joint over-water test flight, Aug. 20, 2025 (Picture source: US DoD)
The tests involved an F-15D Eagle from the 144th Fighter Wing engaging two rescue helicopters: an HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 129th Rescue Wing and an HH-60W Jolly Green II from the 305th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The simulated scenarios recreated realistic conditions of confrontation at sea and assessed the aircraft’s ability to survive against aerial threats equipped with modern radars and weapons systems. A central objective was to evaluate the performance of HH-60 sensors and warning systems when targeted by radar tracking and missile threats, while factoring in the maritime environment, where humidity and salinity can affect equipment.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Don Smith, deputy director of the AATC HH-60 Division, this was the first such evaluation for the HH-60W. The data collected will help determine the effectiveness of countermeasures against fighter aircraft operating over water. These results will inform future training programs and equipment upgrades aimed at improving the survivability of rescue crews in contested airspaces. Analytical support was provided by Modern Technology Solutions Inc., a Las Vegas-based company specializing in electronic warfare, which contributed expertise in planning, logistics, test execution, and performance analysis.
The 129th Rescue Wing is currently transitioning from the HH-60G to the HH-60W, a process that requires adapting procedures, tactics, and training. The HH-60G, in service since the 1980s, is a Black Hawk derivative designed for personnel recovery in hostile environments. It is equipped with a comprehensive navigation suite, an in-flight refueling probe, a 600-pound hoist, and can carry two 7.62 mm or .50 caliber machine guns. Defensive systems include a radar warning receiver, infrared jammer, and flare and chaff dispensers, which have supported its use in multiple conflicts and humanitarian operations, ranging from Iraq and Kosovo to disaster response missions such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2011 tsunami in Japan.
The HH-60W Jolly Green II, which is gradually replacing the HH-60G, is tailored to meet contemporary threats. Based on the UH-60M Black Hawk, it integrates modern avionics with digital displays, tactical data links such as Link 16 and SADL, and a full suite of defensive sensors, including a digital radar warning receiver, missile and hostile fire detectors, and integrated countermeasure dispensers. Its armored cockpit and cabin, redesigned exhausts to reduce infrared signature, and optimized rotor blades further enhance protection. The aircraft can be armed with 7.62 mm or .50 caliber machine guns mounted externally and offers extended range, close to 600 nautical miles, with a ceiling of 20,000 feet. Operational since 2022, it represents an adaptation of the Air Force’s rescue capability to high-intensity threat environments.
Photographs released from the exercise show the helicopters deploying flares and chaff while the F-15D conducted simulated attack maneuvers. The purpose was to measure the responsiveness and effectiveness of systems such as the AN/APR-52 Radar Warning Receiver, the AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System, and the AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser. These systems form the helicopters’ first line of defense during recovery missions conducted in contested areas, particularly when retrieving downed pilots behind enemy lines.
The participation of active-duty forces, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve demonstrated the intention to strengthen interoperability and operational coherence across the Air Force. Lieutenant Colonel Terry Parham, director of the AATC HH-60 Division, highlighted that the exercise is particularly valuable for the Air National Guard, which often has fewer opportunities for specialized training despite carrying out missions equivalent to active-duty units. Such training opportunities help maintain operational readiness across components.
These tests mark an important stage in adapting US rescue helicopters to modern threats. By validating new tactics, evaluating protective systems in demanding maritime conditions, and bringing together multiple Air Force components, the service is working to improve the resilience of its platforms. The data obtained will guide future developments in training, doctrine, and equipment, reinforcing the ability of rescue units to operate effectively in high-intensity environments.
