Joint Base Andrews Receives First HH-60W Helicopter
The Air Force's first Jolly Green II arrived at the Maryland installation as part of a planned replacement of aging Huey helicopters.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Military
Joint Base Andrews received its first HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter on Monday, the first of 26 planned aircraft to replace the UH-1N Hueys. The helicopter will initially be assigned to the 5th Helicopter Squadron, which was activated Aug. 27, while the 1st Helicopter Squadron continues flying Hueys during the transition.
Why it matters
The arrival reflects a decision to modernize the equipment used for the national security mission at the base. The HH-60W's larger airframe and greater fuel capacity offer a substantial change from the Huey that has served the squadrons for decades.
The HH-60W can fly faster and farther and carry substantially larger loads than the UH-1N Huey, with nearly three times the airlift capability. Delivery timing for the remaining aircraft in the 26-helicopter program was not detailed in the source.
The players
Col. Karl W. Seekamp
Seekamp serves as commander of the 316th Wing and the installation at Joint Base Andrews, overseeing the base's operations and mission.
The details
Designated Andrews aircrews will receive familiarization training from certified Sikorsky crews beginning in 2027, and selected personnel will qualify to instruct fellow crew members afterward. The 1st Helicopter Squadron, established in 1969 and flying the UH-1N since 1971, will keep flying Hueys during the transition.
Timeline
Aug. 27: 5th Helicopter Squadron activated at Joint Base Andrews.
Monday: First HH-60W helicopter received at the base.
2027: Familiarization training from Sikorsky crews begins for Andrews aircrews.
2030: Air Force anticipates full operational capability.
Roadmap
The arrival advances the Air Force's program to replace its decades-old UH-1N Huey fleet, which the 1st Helicopter Squadron has flown since 1971. The Jolly Green II's expanded range and payload mark a generational step in the service's rotary-wing capability for the national capital region.
Residents near Joint Base Andrews may notice new helicopter activity as the HH-60W enters service with the 5th Helicopter Squadron. The Air Force's timeline for full operational capability is 2030, so the transition will unfold over several years.
The takeaway
The replacement of the Huey with the HH-60W shows how the Air Force is modernizing its helicopter fleet step by step. Watching the 2027 training start and the 2030 operational milestone will show whether the program stays on schedule.
Further reading
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