Recommended Free Tools
The HH-60W Jolly Green II replaces the HH-60G Pave Hawk as the U.S. Air Force’s dedicated Combat Rescue Helicopter. It is intended to recover isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory by day or night and in adverse weather, while also supporting humanitarian, civil-rescue, disaster-relief, medical-evacuation and non-combatant-evacuation missions.
The replacement is the HH-60W Jolly Green II
The Air Force’s successor to the HH-60G is the HH-60W Jolly Green II. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s official fact sheet identifies it as a dedicated Combat Rescue Helicopter and explicitly describes it as the replacement for the Pave Hawk.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
That designation describes a mission transition, not an overnight fleet swap. Air Force and Air National Guard units are converting at different times, so HH-60G and HH-60W aircraft can appear in the force during the same broader transition period. Recent official reports document individual unit milestones, but they do not establish one date on which every Pave Hawk leaves service.
What the HH-60W is designed to do
Combat search and rescue in contested areas
The Jolly Green II’s primary purpose is personnel recovery: reaching isolated personnel in hostile or denied territory and bringing them home. The Air Force describes operations across day, night and adverse-weather conditions. That mission can require a helicopter to penetrate a defended area, locate a survivor, coordinate with other aircraft and forces, and depart while exposed to threats on the ground and in the air.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
“Combat rescue” therefore means more than a conventional emergency response. The aircraft is part of a larger rescue task force that may include pararescuemen, command-and-control aircraft, fighters, tankers and other support. The helicopter’s equipment is designed to help its crew understand the threat environment, exchange information and protect the aircraft while the recovery is conducted.
Humanitarian and civil missions
The official fact sheet also lists missions outside wartime personnel recovery:
- Humanitarian assistance
- Civil search and rescue
- Disaster relief
- Medical evacuation
- Non-combatant evacuation
Those roles do not change the aircraft’s identity as a combat-rescue helicopter. They show why the platform can be tasked for a wide range of recovery and evacuation operations when a military aircraft’s equipment, crew and reach are useful.
How the HH-60W differs from the Pave Hawk
The sources support a clear distinction in mission systems, warning equipment, survivability features and interoperability. They do not provide a controlled, side-by-side test that would justify saying the HH-60W is categorically superior in every performance measure. The most defensible comparison is therefore feature-based.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
| Comparison point | HH-60G Pave Hawk | HH-60W Jolly Green II |
|---|---|---|
| Combat-rescue role | Air Force combat search and rescue and personnel recovery helicopter | Dedicated Combat Rescue Helicopter and explicit successor to the HH-60G |
| Mission continuity | Established personnel-recovery platform | Continues the personnel-recovery mission, including recovery from hostile or denied territory |
| Integrated mission systems | Not stated in the cited official comparison | Official fact sheet identifies updated integrated mission systems |
| Threat warning | Not stated in the cited official comparison | Digital radar warning, laser warning, missile warning and hostile-fire warning are listed features |
| Countermeasures | Not stated in the cited official comparison | Integrated chaff and flares are listed |
| Protection | Not stated in the cited official comparison | Cockpit and cabin armor are listed |
| Tactical networking | Not stated in the cited official comparison | Link 16 is listed as an integrated capability |
| Measured performance advantage | Not stated | No controlled numerical comparison was supplied by the cited sources |
These features matter because a rescue helicopter must operate as part of a networked force, not as an isolated aircraft. Warning sensors can alert the crew to different classes of threat; chaff and flares are countermeasures; armor helps protect occupants and critical spaces; and Link 16 can support tactical information exchange with suitably equipped participants.
Maj. John Kerr, an HH-60 pilot with the 129th Rescue Wing, described the practical objective in the wing’s February 19, 2025 report: “It brings new systems with new interoperability, with those systems not only with our aircraft but with the rest of the combat Air Force.” That is an interoperability claim attributed to a unit pilot, not a government-wide performance statistic.
Why the Air Force is replacing the Pave Hawk
Aging aircraft and mission-system renewal
The Air Force’s FY 2027 procurement exhibit describes the Combat Rescue Helicopter program as replacing the aging HH-60G. A replacement allows the service to renew the aircraft’s mission systems and survivability equipment rather than continue adapting an older platform indefinitely.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
For crews, the change is not simply a new airframe. Training, maintenance, software, tactical procedures, logistics and integration with other aircraft all have to move to the new configuration. That is why a replacement program can remain active while some units still operate Pave Hawks.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Interoperability as an operational requirement
Combat rescue depends on rapid sharing of location, threat and mission information. The HH-60W’s listed Link 16 capability and updated integrated systems are intended to connect the helicopter more effectively with the wider combat Air Force. The cited sources identify those capabilities, but they do not quantify a particular range, response-time improvement or rescue-success rate.
Where the transition stands
Publicly reported milestones show a phased conversion rather than a single fleet-wide retirement event.
| Date | Unit or program event | What it establishes | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 19, 2025 | California Air National Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing reported its first two HH-60Ws had arrived. | The wing had begun receiving the replacement helicopter. | It does not confirm that all six planned aircraft had arrived. |
| End of 2026 plan | The 129th Rescue Wing report said four additional aircraft were planned by the end of 2026, for six aircraft for the wing. | The unit’s stated acquisition plan at the time of the report. | It is not confirmation that deliveries occurred on schedule. |
| June 2026 | The 56th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron deployed HH-60Ws to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. | An HH-60W rotary-wing rescue capability was established in East Africa. | It is not a statement that every Air Force rescue unit had converted. |
| July 2026 publication | An Alaska National Guard photo record described the HH-60G’s final training mission and flight and said Alaska’s Pave Hawks had been replaced by HH-60Ws. | Alaska’s transition had occurred by the time of that record. | It does not provide a fleet-wide retirement date for the HH-60G. |
Because conversion is unit by unit, the status of a particular base depends on that unit’s delivery, training and operational milestones. A report that one wing has completed its transition should not be read as proof that all Pave Hawks have been retired.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →How many HH-60Ws will the program procure?
The Air Force Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller lists 91 aircraft as the Combat Rescue Helicopter program’s total planned procurement quantity in its April 2026 FY 2027 procurement exhibit.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
That number is a budget-program figure. It describes the planned total for the program; it is not a count of aircraft delivered, accepted by units or currently operational. Delivery schedules, inventory and readiness can change as appropriations, production and unit conversion progress.
What “replaces” means for pilots and rescue units
Conversion is more than receiving helicopters
A unit moving from the HH-60G to the HH-60W must build proficiency on new systems and tactics. Typical conversion work includes aircraft acceptance, aircrew and maintainer training, simulator or academic instruction where available, weapons and defensive-systems training, mission-planning updates, and integration with the rest of the rescue force. The cited reports confirm unit deliveries and deployments, but they do not publish a universal conversion checklist or a single completion date for all units.
Deployment capability follows training
The June 2026 Djibouti deployment demonstrates that HH-60W-equipped forces can provide an expeditionary rescue capability, not merely conduct domestic training. It should not be interpreted as evidence that every newly delivered aircraft is immediately deployable or that all units have identical readiness levels.
What is not yet established publicly
Readers should be cautious with broad claims that go beyond the official material:
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
- No cited source gives a single date for the complete retirement of every HH-60G.
- The 91-aircraft figure is not a delivered or operational inventory count.
- No controlled source comparison supplies a universal percentage improvement in speed, range, survivability or rescue outcomes.
- The listed warning, countermeasure, armor and Link 16 features establish equipment categories, not a guarantee of success in every threat environment.
These limits do not make the replacement uncertain. They define what can be stated accurately: the HH-60W is the designated successor, its systems are being fielded through phased unit conversions, and official program documents describe a planned total of 91 aircraft.
For aviation and scale-model enthusiasts
A specialist reference titled HH-60W Jolly Green II – Walkaround is described by its publisher as a 48-page photo reference containing more than 250 color images for scale plastic modelers. A combined book-and-decals listing appeared sold out in the available material, so availability should be checked directly before purchase. The reference is optional and does not change the aircraft’s operational role or replacement status.
How to identify reliable claims about the replacement
- Check the aircraft designation. The replacement is HH-60W Jolly Green II, not a generic “new Pave Hawk” label.
- Separate role from equipment. The role is combat rescue and personnel recovery; warning sensors, armor, countermeasures and Link 16 are specific listed features.
- Date transition statements. A unit report from 2025 or 2026 describes that unit at that time, not the entire Air Force.
- Qualify quantities. Treat 91 as the FY 2027 budget exhibit’s planned procurement total, not as the number already flying.
- Reject unsupported superlatives. Official sources cited here do not provide a controlled test proving that the HH-60W is better in every measurable category.
Answer in one sentence
The HH-60W Jolly Green II is replacing the HH-60G Pave Hawk as the Air Force’s dedicated combat-rescue helicopter, with updated integrated mission systems and survivability equipment introduced through a phased, unit-by-unit conversion.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
