Innovative Combat Defense Test
In a remarkable evaluation, the Air National Guard, U.S. Navy, and Air Force Reserve engaged in a unique combat defense test featuring an F-15D Eagle fighter aircraft alongside two helicopters above water. This unprecedented scenario aimed to simulate real-world conditions where U.S. rescue helicopters might be targeted at sea.
Details of the Test
The test entailed an HH-60W Jolly Green and an HH-60G Pave Hawk defending against simulated attacks from the F-15D. “The HH-60W has never undergone this type of evaluation. This test data will help us determine how effective U.S. countermeasures are against fighter aircraft over water,” stated U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Don Smith, deputy director of the AATC HH-60 Division.
Participants
Two units from the California Air National Guard participated in the exercise. The F-15D was piloted by members of the 144th Fighter Wing, while the HH-60G Pave Hawk was flown by personnel from the 129th Rescue Wing. Additionally, the HH-60W Jolly Green belongs to the Air Force Reserve’s 305th Rescue Squadron, stationed in Arizona.
Significance and Future Implications
This inaugural test provides critical data that can enhance the survivability of rescue helicopters facing potential attacks from enemy air forces. The exercise aligns with a heightened emphasis on preparing U.S. military units for maritime operations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
Earlier this month, the Air Force executed a month-long series of exercises in the Indo-Pacific, marking the largest deployment of U.S. airpower in the area since the Cold War.
About Zita Ballinger Fletcher
Zita Ballinger Fletcher is a seasoned editor and historian, having previously served as editor of Military History Quarterly and Vietnam magazines. She also held the position of historian for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and possesses an M.A. with distinction in military history.
