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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lance Milford, 56th Helicopter Maintenance Unit flying crew chief, conducts routine HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter maintenance at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 17, 2026. The 56th HMU relocated from RAF Lakenheath, England, to Aviano AB in 2018 to establish a rescue hub in Southern Europe and has since completed its transition from the HH-60G Pave Hawk to the HH-60W Jolly Green II fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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260717-F-ST571-1139

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jordan Martinez, 56th Helicopter Maintenance Unit crew chief craftsman, performs routine HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter maintenance at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 17, 2026. The 56th HMU falls under the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and is responsible for executing aircraft maintenance to deliver safe, reliable and combat-ready aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Najah Charles, 56th Helicopter Maintenance Unit crew chief, and Tech. Sgt. Jordan Martinez, 56th HMU crew chief craftsman, retrieve tools during routine HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter maintenance at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 17, 2026. The 56th HMU maintains and supports the 56th Rescue Squadron's fleet of HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, ensuring the aircraft remain ready to provide vital combat search and rescue capabilities across the U.S. Air Forces in Europe–Air Forces Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tristan Ronzo, 56th Helicopter Maintenance Unit crew chief journeyman, conducts routine HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter part maintenance at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 17, 2026. The 56th HMU falls under the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and is responsible for executing aircraft maintenance to deliver safe, reliable and combat-ready aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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260717-F-ST571-1101

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Isaac Cooley, 56th Helicopter Maintenance Unit avionics journeyman, reinstalls engine malfittings on an HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 17, 2026. The 56th HMU maintains and supports the 56th Rescue Squadron's fleet of HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, ensuring the aircraft remain ready to provide vital combat search and rescue capabilities across the U.S. Air Forces in Europe–Air Forces Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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260717-F-ST571-1184

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Isaac Cooley, 56th Helicopter Maintenance Unit avionics journeyman, and Senior Airman Najah Charles, 56th HMU crew chief, reinstall engine malfittings on an HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 17, 2026. The HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter was designed specifically to recover isolated personnel from hostile territories, day or night, and in all weather conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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260717-F-ST571-1075

A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 56th Helicopter Maintenance Unit oversees preventative wire maintenance on an HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 17, 2026. The HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter was designed specifically to recover isolated personnel from hostile territories, day or night, and in all weather conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nathaniel Schmidt, 56th Helicopter Maintenance Unit dedicated crew chief, inspects for internal cracks on an HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 17, 2026. The HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter was designed specifically to recover isolated personnel from hostile territories, day or night, and in all weather conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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56th HMU keeps HH-60W Jolly Green II fleet mission ready

Published July 20, 2026
By Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lance Milford, 56th Helicopter Maintenance Unit flying crew chief, conducts routine HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter maintenance at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 17, 2026. The 56th HMU relocated from RAF Lakenheath, England, to Aviano AB in 2018 to establish a rescue hub in Southern Europe and has since completed its transition from the HH-60G Pave Hawk to the HH-60W Jolly Green II fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Karissa Dick)

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