Two MH-139A Gray Wolf helicopters performed their first operational Minuteman III ICBM convoy safety mission to and from a launch facility over 100 miles away from Malmstrom AFB.
The U.S. Air Pressure has introduced that the MH-139A Gray Wolf helicopter is now being employed operationally by the Air Pressure International Strike Command for nuclear safety operations. On Jan. 8, 2026, two MH-139s performed their first operational Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) convoy safety mission.
Convoy Safety Mission
The helicopters, assigned to the fortieth Helicopter Squadron, escorted a column of missile upkeep and armored safety automobiles to and from a launch facility positioned greater than 100 miles east of Malmstrom AFB, Montana. Based on the service, the motion lasted six hours however didn’t require the MH-139s to be refueled, “demonstrating the superior capabilities of AFGSC’s latest helicopter.”
“Executing our first convoy mission with two MH-139s marks a major step ahead in strengthening our missile safety operations,” mentioned Maj. Gen. Stacy Huser, twentieth Air Pressure commander. “The MH-139 permits us to proceed supporting our ICBM enterprise for many years to come back with elevated velocity, vary and carry.”
The crews have been impressed by the helicopter’s capabilities within the new function. Based on the press launch, the brand new Ahead Wanting Infrared (FLIR) and avionics programs enhanced the crew’s situational consciousness and their capability to assist the bottom power commander.
“The efficiency of the helicopter was spectacular,” mentioned Maj. Nicholas Smith, 40 HS MH-139 pilot. “This check proved that the Gray Wolf can convey all of the required firepower essential to defend our nation’s nuclear power in an actual state of affairs. The MH-139 built-in seamlessly and offered a right away enhance in helicopter assist capabilities.”
The Transition
The Air Pressure has been engaged on the introduction of the brand new MH-139A Gray Wolf helicopter in the previous few years, following the primary supply for testing in December 2019. The brand new platform is supposed to switch the UH-1N Huey, which is about to be retired after greater than 5 many years of service.
“The transition from the UH-1N Huey to the MH-139A Gray Wolf is among the first seen steps towards the subsequent period of the International Strike mission, ultimately resulting in the total mission integration with Sentinel,” mentioned Tech. Sgt. Samuel Earney, 341st Missile Safety Operations Squadron Tactical Response Pressure flight sergeant. “The transition from the battle-tested Huey to the high-tech Gray Wolf has been bittersweet, however given the elevated capabilities of the brand new helicopter, it is sensible as to why the Air Pressure selected to make the transfer.”
Among the many enhancements that the brand new helicopter brings are velocity and attain. The service notes that these are required particularly because of the greater than 100 launch amenities dispersed throughout Malmstrom’s 13,800-square-mile space of accountability that spans numerous topography of prairies, plains and mountain ranges.
For a comparability, the service says the Gray Wolf is roughly 50% sooner than the Huey and might transport twice as many troops. Along with being armed, the brand new helicopter additionally has enhanced defensive programs and is constructed to assist missile discipline safety missions throughout huge and austere terrain.
“Our ICBM mission is the muse of strategic deterrence, and it calls for absolute reliability, safety, and readiness,” mentioned Col. Daniel Voorhies, 341st Missile Wing commander. “The MH-139 strengthens nuclear surety by giving our Airmen a extra succesful platform to guard our forces as they perform the nation’s most crucial mission, 24/7/365.”
The press launch highlighted that the latest convoy escort mission gained useful operational expertise for AFGSC as 20 AF progresses towards preliminary operational functionality (IOC) of its Gray Wolf fleet. The latest mission additionally follows the kind’s first participation within the Nuclear Convoy Course (NCC) and the primary Preliminary Operational Check & Analysis flight in assist of nuclear safety operations in 2025.
“I’m extremely pleased with our Airmen who made this success attainable,” mentioned Col. Bryant Bevan, 582nd Helicopter Group commander. “This mission offered us a mess of classes discovered, which we are going to make the most of as we proceed to work towards engaging in IOC for the MH-139.”
The MH-139 Gray Wolf
The MH-139A Gray Wolf is a multi-mission helicopter based mostly on Leonardo’s confirmed AW139 helicopter, designed to guard intercontinental ballistic missiles and transport U.S. authorities officers and safety forces. The MH-139A workforce consists of Boeing, because the prime contractor, and Leonardo as an authentic tools producer. Leonardo produces the helicopter at its plant in northeast Philadelphia, whereas Boeing is accountable for navy tools procurement and set up and post-delivery assist of the plane.
Boeing and Leonardo say that the MH-139A’s enhanced capabilities enable it to perform missions extra rapidly, quietly and effectively, with a 50 p.c enhance in velocity and vary, a 30% bigger cabin and a rise of 5,000 kilos max gross weight. The Air Pressure mentioned beforehand that the efficiency of the plane reveals nice potential for bettering on the myriad of missions which have been lined by the venerable Huey.
The Boeing-Leonardo Crew was awarded the preliminary $2.4 billion contract in September 2018 for 84 helicopters, coaching programs and related assist tools. In August of 2022, the U.S. Air Pressure accepted the primary 4 helicopters, with the deliveries of the six RDT&E MH-139s accomplished in 2023.
Following the supply of the primary 4 helicopters, the MH-139 lastly entered developmental testing, after experiencing surprising delays due to the combination of defensive programs, an airspeed sensor and the FAA certification. Whereas the industrial AW-139 is already licensed by the FAA, the MH-139 conversion wanted FAA-approved Supplemental Kind Certifications (STCs) for military-specific tools.
The Air Pressure reached the Milestone C choice for the MH-139 Gray Wolf helicopter in early 2023, awarding Boeing a $285 million contract to start the Low-Charge Preliminary Manufacturing of 13 helicopters, along with sustainment and assist providers. The primary helicopter is already being flight examined, whereas others are in numerous phases of the meeting course of.
The MH-139A, after being temporally based mostly at Duke Subject, Florida, the place Detachment 7 has been established to assist testing and analysis, are actually being delivered to operational models. The primary location to obtain the brand new helicopter was Malmstrom Air Pressure Base, Montana, the place the primary MH-139 was welcomed throughout a ceremony on March 9, 2024.
Lower than a month later, Maxwell Air Pressure Base, Alabama, additionally acquired its first MH-139. The helicopter is assigned to the 908th Airlift Wing, which was divested from the tactical airlift mission in 2022 with a view to develop into the U.S. Air Pressure’s formal coaching unit for Gray Wolf aircrew.
In January 2025, the Air Pressure launched the Preliminary Operational Check and Analysis (IOT&E) to evaluate the MH-139’s operational effectiveness, suitability and survivability in a practical and operational atmosphere at Malmstrom AFB. Each convoy assist and emergency response eventualities have been included, with the helicopters responding to a simulated risk with a full tactical response power loadout and onboard weapons.
Few months later, between March and April 2025, the Gray Wolf participated for the primary time within the Nuclear Convoy Course (NCC), an important weeklong train which is a part of the annual coaching performed to make sure the secure and safe transport of nuclear weapons and supplies. This version of the NCC allowed to validate the MH-139 throughout lifelike eventualities with opposing forces offered by the U.S. Military’s one hundred and first Airborne Division.
