Air Force Moves Ahead with Plan to Put HH-60W at Andrews

New helicopters, a new unit, and more Airmen are primed to move to Joint Base Andrews, Md., as the Air Force upgrades to modified HH-60Ws for its executive transport needs around the nation’s capital.

In an Aug. 12 announcement, the service said it has selected Andrews as the “preferred location” for 26 HH-60Ws to replace 26 UH-1Ns now serving the executive airlift mission for Air Force District of Washington. The mission includes contingency response for the government and senior leadership transportation. Some 60 new Active-Duty jobs will also relocate to the base.

Before the move can take place, however, the Air Force must conduct an environmental impact analysis. Assuming no issues emerge, initial operational capability is expected in early 2029, an Air Force spokesperson said, with full operational capability in 2030. Andrews’ 316th Wing is already moving forward with plans to stand up a new 5th Helicopter Squadron later this month to prepare for the transition.

Andrews has long hosted presidential and executive airlift, and the existing 1st Helicopter Squadron has flown from there since 1967, according to a unit fact sheet. Its UH-1N “Huey” helicopters went into service there in 1971.

Now, 55 years later, those Vietnam-era helicopter are nearing the end of their service lives. The Air Force said in 2018 it would replace those birds with MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters, but last year revamped those plans and opted for modified HH-60Ws instead.

Opting against the MH-139, which is based on the civilian AgustaWestland AW139, was surprising, but the Air Force determined it would be more cost efficient to modify HH-60Ws already in the backup inventory than buying new MH-139s.
Modifications detailed in budget plans include reconfiguring the cabin to accommodate 11 passengers and removing specialized equipment for combat search and rescue, such as the gun system, chaff/flare buckets, armor, and personnel litter.

Members of the House Armed Services Committee voiced skepticism in their version of the 2027 National Defense Authorization bill, indicating they may yet object: “The committee remains concerned regarding the justification for transitioning these missions to an alternate rotary-wing platform and seeks additional details on cost and operational implications.”

Regardless, the Air Force continues to push ahead with its plan. Budget documents indicate the HH-60W modifications would be made in fiscal 2028 and continue into 2030.