AF’s new helo arrives at Duke Field

The first of two of the Air Force’s newest aircraft, the HH-60W Rescue helicopter, landed at Duke Field, Fla., Nov. 6 to begin developmental testing at its new home with the 413th Flight Test Squadron. A second HH-60 arrived Nov. 7. The initial helo arrived via a five-hour flight from the Sikorsky Developmental Flight Center in south Florida with pilot Maj. Evan McNeal of the 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron Detachment 2. The HH-60W's current experimental flight clearance does not allow instrument flight or the use of its transponder. The aircrew flew the entire trip visually or VFR. “We had to pick our way carefully through densely trafficked airspace while avoiding typical Florida fog and precipitation without the tools that many of the most basic modern aircraft have available,” said McNeal. The aircraft, based on the Army’s UH-60M, is modified to perform missions locating and rescuing downed pilots in hostile territory. The AF is contracted to purchase 113 HH-60Ws to replace its aging fleet of HH-60Gs. “Getting an HH-60W is very exciting not only for the 413th Flight Test Squadron, but also for the 96th Test Wing" (at Eglin AFB), said Lt. Col. Wayne Dirkes, the squadron’s operations officer. (Source: Eglin AFB 11/08/19) https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2012152/new-hh-60-helicopter-arrives-at-eglin/