New York Air National Guard Wing Unveils Historic Aircraft, Hosts Islanders Members

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HH-3 "Jolly Green Giant" being refurbished

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY (09/04/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York Air National Guard's 106^th Rescue Wing will commemorate its history by dedicating a restored HH-3 "Jolly Green Giant" rescue helicopter Saturday at Gabreski Airport Air National Guard Base at Westhampton Beach. Members of the New York Islanders hockey team will also be present to salute the wing's members.

Who: The 1200 members of the 106^th Rescue Wing, wing members and volunteers who refurbished the aircraft, members of the New York Islanders who will present an award to the members of the unit.

What: The 106^th Rescue Wing will hold a quarterly wing formation, where all members of the wing come together in the main hanger. During the formation the Airmen and civilian volunteers who have worked to restore an HH-3 "Jolly Green Giant" rescue helicopter that will be displayed at the base entrance, will be recognized for their efforts. The 106^th flew these aircraft from 1975 to 1990.The New York Islanders will also have team members present who will present an award to the Wing's personnel, thanking them for their service.

When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008.

Where: Gabreski Airport Air National Guard Base, Westhampton, Beach,

In order to obtain access to this secure military facility members of the press must contact Lt. Col. Maryann Cline at 631-723-7401 no later than noon on Saturday, Sept. 6. Press cards and a driver's license will be required to access the base. Members of the media should plan on being at the air base no later than 3 p.m. on Sept. 6.

Background:

Coverage Opportunities:

Members of the 106^th Rescue Wing who took the helicopter from a hulk to an operational appearance will be available to talk to the media about the challenges of the work. For example, the helicopter requires 50 bolts of a specific type to fasten the rotor blades to the rotor hub, but only 32 were left in the Air Force supply system. In many cases parts had to be fabricated.

The 106^th Rescue Wing:

The Air National Guard's 106^th Rescue Wing specializes in long-range search and rescue operations, and combat search and rescue. Wing members conducted the longest over-water rescue mission of all time in 1998, and a crew from the Wing is featured in the movie "The Perfect Storm", about a 1991 storm in which a Pararescue jumper died trying to save lives. Wing aircraft and crews deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 and two of the wing's HH-60 Pavehawk rescue helicopters and one HC-130 search and rescue aircraft are currently in Louisiana in support of Hurricane Gustav Recovery. The 106^th Rescue Wing lays claim to being the oldest unit in the Air National Guard. The Wing can trace its lineage back to a 1908 Signal Corps balloon unit formed in the New York National Guard.

The HH-3E Jolly Green Giant:

Built by Sikorsky the HH-3E was the Air Force version of the Navy Sea King helicopter that has also served as "Marine 1", the Presidential helicopter. It won fame during the Vietnam War as a long range rescue helicopter that could fly long distances by refueling in mid-air and take enemy fire and keep flying. The aircraft restored by the 106^th members and volunteers was built in 1966 and served throughout the world, including Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. The aircraft served for 25 years before being decommissioned in 1991. The aircraft was crewed by at least three men and could carry two 50 caliber machine guns.

Photo Cutline:

Photo by Senior Airman Chris Muncy,106^th Rescue Wing

Members of the New York Air National Guard work to refurbish a HH-3 "Jolly Green Giant" rescue helicopter, like the ones the wing operated from 1975 to 1990. The refurbished helicopter will replace an F-102 Delta Dagger fighter at the base's main gate.