HH-60Ws Rescue Navy Helicopter Crew in California Mountains

USAF Jolly Green IIs rescue 5 after Navy MH-60S hard landing

Two US Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters recovered five US Navy personnel from mountainous terrain near Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, on August 10, 2026, after their MH-60S Seahawk made a hard landing during a high-altitude training flight.  The 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron (88 TES) at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, was notified by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at approximately 11:30 local time. The …

HH-60Ws Rescue Navy Helicopter Crew in California Mountains

Search and rescue Airmen from Nellis Air Base, Nev., flew more than 200 miles in two HH-60W Jolly Green IIs last week to rescue five of their Navy helicopter crew counterparts who were forced to land in mountainous terrain near Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif. Members of the 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron and the 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Nellis had to work quickly after being notified at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 10 that t…

Airmen Conduct Rapid Rescue of Navy Helicopter Crew

AUGUST 17, 2026 —On Aug. 10, Airmen from the 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, assigned to the 355th Wing but geographically located at Nellis Air Force Base, and the 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron rapidly generated and deployed two HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters to rescue five U.S. Navy personnel following an aircraft mishap near Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California. The 88 TES received initial notification from the Air For…