EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - High above the Eglin AFB range, the Air Force’s newest combat and rescue helicopter, the HH-60W Jolly Green II, connected with an HC-130J tanker for the first ever aerial refueling on Aug. 5. This connectivity was the start of two weeks of developmental testing of the aircraft’s aerial refueling abilities by 413th Flight Test Squadron testers and mission partners. “This capability is essential for the CSAR mission since it greatly extends the operating range of the aircraft and thus allows the unit to extend their rescue capabilities over a larger battlespace,” said Joe Whiteaker, 413th FLTS Combat Rescue Helicopter Flight Chief. The HH-60W was piloted by both AF and Sikorsky pilots, and flew at 110 knots in order to perform the contact. The flight lasted just under two hours. "The aircraft performed flawlessly during the testing and met all of the program objectives,” said John Biscaino, Sikorsky’s test pilot. Throughout the tests, the aircrew and engineers will evaluate the helicopter’s ability to connect with the fuel drogue and its handling qualities during the fueling. They also monitor the functionality of the systems and gauges to ensure the aircraft receives the fuel appropriately with the proper pressures. (Source: Eglin AFB 08/10/20) https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2306870/jolly-green-ii-begins-aerial-refueling-tests/ Gulf Coast: AF test engineers received virtual training via the Florida Tech Helicopter Flight Test Engineer Performance course related to helicopters’ performance testing. “The 413th has grown a lot in the last two years … It is unrealistic to find many new employees with a specific helicopter skill-set,” said Joe Whiteaker, Combat Rescue Helicopter Flight Chief, about the need for specific training. After the course, both the MH-139 Grey Wolf and HH-60W Jolly Green II test teams increased their engineers with rotary wing performance expertise by 80 percent, according to Whiteaker. (Source: Eglin AFB)
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