Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Airmen innovate, ensure HH-60W’s first deploymentPublished Nov. 19, 2022
                    
                    By Airman 1st Class Deanna Muir
                    
                    
                    23rd Wing Public Affairs
            **MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) --**In preparation for the Air Force’s newest rescue platform’s first deployment, Airmen from the 41st Rescue and Rescue Generation Squadrons conducted extensive training to learn the intricacies of the new HH-60W Jolly Green II.
As a result of the increase in training, the 41st RQS expended more of the aircraft’s hoist cables than anticipated, lending to a potential shortfall. A team of 41st RGS maintenance Airmen, however, quickly recognized the need to replace these cables and jumped at the chance to accelerate change and make an Air Force-wide impact.
“Our maintenance Airmen have a won’t-fail mentality and are constantly working to make things better not only for the 23rd Maintenance Group but for the entire Air Force,” said Col. Jason Purdy, 23rd MXG commander.
These hoists are critical to the success of combat search and rescue operations. They are used in high-stakes scenarios to rescue individuals in dangerous or remote areas that aren’t accessible by ground transportation, or if the victim is trapped by fire or water.Photo of Airmen holding a helicopter hoistAirmen assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron and 38th RS conduct hoist training at Grand Bay Bombing and Gunnery Range, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., March 17, 2022 . Airmen from the 41st RS and 41st Rescue Generation Squadron identified a shortage of hoist cables for their HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, a critical component to conduct combat search and rescue operations. They resolved the shortfall by converting HH-60G Pave Hawk hoists to work in the new aircraft with slight modifications. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    Photo of Airmen on a hoist connected to a hovering helicopterAirmen assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron and 38th RS conduct hoist training at Grand Bay Bombing and Gunnery Range, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., March 17, 2022. Airmen from the 41st RS and 41st Rescue Generation Squadron identified a shortage of hoist cables for their HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, a critical component to conduct combat search and rescue operations. They resolved the shortfall by converting HH-60G Pave Hawk hoists to work in the new aircraft with slight modifications. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    Photo of two helicopters hovering over landAirmen assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron and 38th RS conduct hoist training at Grand Bay Bombing and Gunnery Range, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., March 17, 2022. Airmen from the 41st RS and 41st Rescue Generation Squadron identified a shortage of hoist cables for their HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, a critical component to conduct combat search and rescue operations. They resolved the shortfall by converting HH-60G Pave Hawk hoists to work in the new aircraft with slight modifications. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

Recognizing the need to adapt, the Airmen came together and discovered they could circumvent the supply shortage by using the **HH-60G Pave Hawk** cables in the HH-60W with only slight modifications.
“We used our subject matter expertise to troubleshoot the issue,” said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Cellini, 41st RGS flying crew chief. “We improvised and adapted to overcome the supply shortage, by using a cable that we know is reliable and the Air Force has plenty of.”
Cellini and his counterparts went to the field training detachment hoist trainer to test and write the operating procedures for converting the HH-60G cables for use in the HH-60W. The process ensured the safe use of the hoist cables by synchronizing the speed in which they extend at the appropriate points of the cable.
The 41st RGS submitted an engineer request and engineers from **Warner Robins Air Force Base** came to **Moody AFB** to provide safety checks and approve the process.
With the process approved and implemented, the rescue Airmen ensured the HH-60W was fully mission-capable and ready to deploy by **Air Combat Command**’s initial operational capability deadline.
“Finding and testing this information and realizing it can work for us is going to make a huge difference knowing there will never be a shortage of cables,” said Master Sgt. Jonathan Holford, 41st RGS production superintendent.
Discovering innovative solutions for unpredictable circumstances is a testament to the Airmen who feel **empowered** to do so. The Airmen with the 41st RGS said they feel confident in providing creative solutions to these shortfalls thanks to their leadership.
“People say aircraft maintenance is pretty black and white, but some of it's not,” Cellini said. “Our leadership is open to ideas; as long as it’s safe and we can effectively and efficiently accomplish it, our whole chain of command will back us.”
Holford attributed the success of the organization to this leadership philosophy and the teamwork mentality fostered within the unit.
“We encourage Airmen to solve problems,” Holford said. “We always want to afford them the opportunity to fail, but we fail together; we learn from it and continue to grow on what we learned.”
The mission relies on Airmen’s ingenuity and initiative to succeed, and Moody AFB Airmen have exemplified these traits throughout the transition to the HH-60W.
“I’m very proud of our maintainers for leading the way on the HH-60W fleet,” Purdy said. “Whether it’s been a hoist, a gun system, or a lapse in technical data, our Airmen developed ways to make the entire program better.”LR 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



HH-60 Jolly Green II 



Moody AFB 



rescue platform 



Aircraft 



mission 



training 



41st RQS 



23rd MXG 



Air Combat Command 



ACC 



innovation

Related Links
        HH-60W reaches initial operational capability
            
            Jolly Green II completes developmental testing
            
            HH-60W ‘Jolly Green II’ follows footprints of rescue giants Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil