WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. – The New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing presents its new HH-60W Jolly Green II Search and Rescue Squadron during a ceremony at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base on Oct. 25. officially announced the arrival of
The aircraft will replace the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter previously operated by the wing. New high-tech helicopters are more capable than the aircraft they replace.
“This is an important opportunity to reflect on where we are as an organization and where we are headed,” said Col. Sean P. Fitzgerald, commander of the 106th Rescue Wing. spoke.
The 106th Rescue Wing relied on HH-60Gs in responding to hurricanes and major storms during missions in Florida, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Wing pilot Col. Nick Arosemena said the HH-60G, nicknamed “Golf” by pilots because of its name, was an excellent aircraft that saw service in the Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. . 101st Rescue Squadron.
“His contributions solidified our reputation as a mainstay of the U.S. Air Force rescue community,” Arosemena said.
“The ‘Whiskey’ model you see may look almost identical to the Golf, but I can tell you it’s very different,” Fitzgerald said. “So training crews and mechanics takes months and requires more intensive training and hands-on experience. It’s not an easy transition.”
Maj. Gen. Michael W. Bank, commander of the New York Air National Guard and former commander of the 106th Rescue Wing, said the new helicopters are part of the wing’s efforts to increase its combat readiness.
“The 130-J, right now with the addition of Whiskey, building construction here, you guys are modernizing the wing for the 21st century Air Force that we need,” Bank said. Ta.
Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Shields Jr., adjutant general of New York, said modernizing the wing’s aircraft is critical to helping the New York Air National Guard meet new challenges.
New York recently signed an agreement to jointly train with the Swedish military, adding to existing relationships with South Africa and Brazil.
Shields said the 106th Rescue Wing is heavily involved in training with Brazil and expects the wing’s airmen and new aircraft to perform missions similar to those in Sweden.
Wing leaders also praised Tech at the ceremony. Sergeant Michael Tesser named him the first full-time crew chief of the brand new HH-60W.
“As military aircraft technology continues to advance, so will the skills of myself, my fellow mechanics, and our crew members,” Tesser said. “It’s an exciting time to be a part of the 106th Air National Guard, especially as we stand at the forefront of these innovations and are ready to meet any challenges ahead.”
The ceremony concluded with an HH-60W demonstration flyby by Lt. Col. James Liston and Sergeant Johnson, the first crew members to qualify for the aircraft. Joe DeVito.
“While we celebrate the arrival of a brand new helicopter, we must always remember that it is the Airmen who make the system work,” Fitzgerald said.
The 106th Rescue Wing is a New York Air National Guard unit based at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, New York.
The wing operates HC-130J Combat King II and HH-60W Jolly Green II search and rescue aircraft. The wing provides personnel recovery, combat search and rescue capabilities, expeditionary combat support, and civilian search and rescue support to federal and state authorities around the world.
