First AF pilot to fly new HH-60W

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Northwest Florida-based 413th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS) successfully conducted the first Air Force-piloted flight of the HH-60W combat rescue helicopter on July 11 at defense contractor Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach. The unit embedded personnel from its Duke Field, Fla., base with the contractor to provide early war-fighter involvement and operationally relevant developmental testing. The HH-60W is modified to perform missions locating and rescuing downed pilots in hostile territory. The AF is contracted to purchase 113 of the aircraft to replace its aging fleet of HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. “Our entire team has been focused on bringing together a lot of moving parts to get here today,” said Lt. Col. Wayne Dirkes, 413th FLTS operations officer, and are “really excited to be a part of recapitalizing a vital component of our war-fighting strategy.” The test flight crew performed instrumentation and telemetry checkout with the control room, gathered basic engine start data, and flew referred gross weight level flight speed sweeps between 40 knots and maximum horizontal speed. The tests were designed to collect required data the AF requires to move the program into production and deployment phases. The flight also served as a method for test pilot Maj. Andrew Fama of the 413th FLTS to complete required qualifications to fly the aircraft, and becoming the first AF pilot to fly the aircraft. There are six aircraft dedicated to the developmental test program. The 413th’s HH-60W operations are scheduled to begin at Eglin AFB’s auxiliary field known as Duke Field this fall. (Source: Eglin AFB 07/17/19) Although technically part of the larger Eglin AFB complex, Duke Field is essentially a small air force base in its own right. Primarily an Air Force Reserve Command installation, Duke Field is hosted by the 919th Special Operations Wing. The 413th FLTS conducts developmental testing on new aircraft. The unit plans, executes and reports development tests and evaluations of the Air Force’s Special Operations Command’s aircraft, as well as the Air Force’s vertical lift aircraft.