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WASHINGTON (AFNS) —
The Air Force introduced the first of 21 fully built HH-60G Pave Hawk Operational Loss Replacement (OLR) helicopters June 28 at a ceremony in Huntsville, Alabama.

The HH-60G is used to conduct combat search and rescue operations. The OLR program will restore the service’s HH-60G fleet to its authorized size, replacing aircraft lost in nearly 15 years of deployed combat operations since 9/11.

The Air Force acquired 21 UH-60Ls and added a comprehensive kit of modifications and additional equipment to convert them into HH-60Gs. The service ensured the baseline helicopters they received from the Army were well-maintained, structurally sound aircraft with no systemic maintenance problems.

via www.af.mil

Finally, the Air Force does something smart.

The HH-60G fleet is very old, and very tired.

Now, the UH-60L fleet is used (the current production model has been the UH-60M for some years now) but not nearly as old as the original G fleet.

The smart thing for the Air Force to do would be to simply expand this buy, and acquire more UH-60Ls, and replace their ancient UH-1N fleet. The Army would be more than willing to transfer used UH-60Ls while buying new UH-60Ms.

But of course, that makes too much sense.