The U.S. Air Force has deployed the HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter to East Africa for the first time, establishing a dedicated personnel recovery capability at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. Announced by the U.S. Air Force on June 26, 2026, the deployment significantly strengthens U.S. Africa Command’s ability to recover isolated personnel, sustain dispersed operations, and respond rapidly to crises across one of the world’s most demanding operational environments.

The arrival of the HH-60W gives U.S. forces a modern combat search-and-rescue platform with greater range, survivability, and mission effectiveness than its predecessor. Beyond enhancing force protection, the deployment reflects AFRICOM’s broader effort to improve operational resilience and maintain rapid-response capabilities in a region where distance, austere conditions, and evolving security threats continue to challenge military operations.