Air Force MH-139A Grey Wolf Makes First Flight in Montana

Malmstrom Air Force Base is one of three intercontinental ballistic missile bases set to receive the service’s newest helicopter.

Kimberly Johnson

Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 12:14 PM ET

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A MH-139A Grey Wolf prepares to land at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, March 5, 2024. The Grey Wolf provides the ability to cruise 50 percent faster and farther than the UH-1N Huey helicopters, while also having a 30 percent larger cabin and capability to lift 5,000 pounds more. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force's new MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter completed its first flight from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, on March 21.
Manufactured by Boeing and Leonardo, the Grey Wolf is replacing the aging Bell UH-1N Hueys for critical missions like nuclear weapons convoy surveillance and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) security.
The 550th Helicopter Squadron at Malmstrom AFB is responsible for training on the new aircraft, with the Air Force planning to acquire 42 MH-139s for deployment across three ICBM bases.

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The U.S. Air Force’s newest helicopter—the MH-139 Grey Wolf—has taken its first flight at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana.

The helicopters, which are manufactured by partners Boeing and Leonardo, are scheduled to replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging fleet of Bell UH-1N Hueys that perform missions such as off-base nuclear weapons convoy surveillance and routine missile site support. The service has operated the military variant of the Bell 212 since 1970.