Trump Praises HH-60W After Historic Iran Rescue as Air Force Defends Fleet Cap

President Trump praises the HH-60W Jolly Green II after its first combat rescue in Iran, even as the Air Force seeks to end further helicopter procurement.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 8:01 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Breaking Defense

Combat Debut of the Jolly Green II in Iran

The U.S. Air Force’s latest combat rescue helicopter, the HH-60W Jolly Green II, achieved a milestone in aviation history last week by completing its first successful retrieval of an operator behind enemy lines. During a press briefing on Monday, President Donald Trump lauded the performance of the Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky aircraft, describing the rescue of a downed F-15 pilot in Iran as an "amazing" operation. While the rotorcraft has previously been utilized for casualty evacuations and civil missions in deployed environments, the Air Force confirmed that the Iranian mission represented its inaugural use in a high-threat combat search and rescue (CSAR) capacity.

Budgetary Deadlock Over Future Procurement

The successful rescue operation coincides with the release of the Trump administration’s fiscal 2027 budget request, which notably omits any funding for further HH-60W procurement. This move marks the fourth consecutive year of friction between the Air Force and Congress over the Jolly Green II’s fleet size. While the original program of record envisioned 113 aircraft, service officials have consistently sought to cap the fleet at 75. Air Force leadership argues that while the helicopter is effective in the Middle East, its survivability is limited in a potential high-intensity conflict with China, the Department of Defense’s primary strategic focus.

Congressional Resistance and the Connecticut Connection

The Air Force’s plan to truncate the HH-60W program has met with significant pushback from members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut—where the helicopter is assembled—has vowed to continue advocating for additional aircraft in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Lawmakers have expressed concern that a smaller fleet could lead to critical gaps in personnel recovery capabilities during major conflicts. Over recent years, congressional intervention has already successfully raised the program of record to 89 aircraft, including a $100 million "plus-up" in the fiscal 2026 budget.