After the success of the S-61/SH-3 Sea King series, Sikorsky began a private venture to modify the S-61 for land-based use, dubbing the model the S-61R. While it retained the powerplant and layout of the S-61, the S-61R had a completely redesigned and larger fuselage that lacked the boat hull of the SH-3 (though the S-61R was still capable of making water landings) but added greater internal capacity, portholes for passengers, and a rear ramp. During the S-61R’s development in 1963, the USAF took an interest in it and ordered several examples as the CH-3C, with a follow-on model with uprated engines, the CH-3E, in 1965. Both variants were used in the SAR roles, especially for overwater rescue, and recovery of drones. The US Coast Guard bought the S-61R as the HH-3F Pelican, and these helicopters remained in service until the late 1990s, when they were replaced by HH-60J Jayhawks.
With the US’ involvement in Vietnam and increasing losses to North Vietnamese air defenses, the USAF now needed a SAR helicopter that had the range and defensive ability to reach downed pilots in thick, triple-canopy jungle. At the time, the USAF’s only real rescue helicopters were the UH-1 Iroquois and HH-43 Huskie, neither of which had the range necessary. As a result, the USAF undertook a crash program to convert its CH-3Es, which were the only helicopters that suited the role, to HH-3E standard. This included armoring the fuselage floor with titanium, adding drop tanks and additional underfloor tanks to increase its range still further, a high-speed rescue hoist with a teardrop-shaped jungle penetrator (to get through Vietnam’s thick jungle), and defensive armament to fend off any enemy ground troops. The latter began as two M60 7.62mm light machine guns, but as the war continued and ground defenses grew stronger, HH-3s carried a wide variety of weapons limited only by the crew’s inventiveness, including larger .50 caliber heavy machine guns and M214 Minigun gatling cannons. Inflight refuelling was also added through an extendable nose probe.
The first HH-3Es were deployed to Vietnam in 1966 and immediately began operations throughout Southeast Asia, either from their main base at Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, or from forward bases in Laos. Because of their camouflage, they adopted the callsign “Jolly Green,” after the popular frozen vegetable commercial character of the time. Hearing the radio call, “Here comes Jolly Green” brought hope to many downed pilots fighting for their lives in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Escorted by A-1 Skyraider “Sandies,” the Jolly Greens prided themselves on going anywhere needed, even on occasion disobeying orders and venturing into the deadliest spot on the planet, the area around Hanoi known as “Pak Six.” The Jolly Greens rescued thousands of pilots, and paid a commensurate price; one HH-3E pilot, Gerald Young, was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1967; his story is recounted below. The HH-3E never officially was given a name by the USAF—it was simply known as the Jolly Green Giant.
Following the end of the Vietnam War, most of the HH-3Es were relegated to lesser duties, or USAF Reserve or Air National Guard units—replaced by the larger and more capable HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant series. Nonetheless, HH-3s remained in service into the 1990s, and they logged over 200 missions during the First Gulf War. All HH-3Es were out of service by 1995. The type remains in service with Italy and Tunisia as the HH-3F Pelican, and has seen service in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
This model shows the earlier CH-3C design, which lacked the larger rescue hoist, air refueling probe, and door guns of the Vietnam-deployed HH-3s. These helicopters were bare metal and were attached to the 341st Strategic Missile Wing to assist missile crews.
This model of 63-9680 is part of the 40th Helicopter Squadron's display at the Malmstrom AFB Museum. The real 63-9680 only served in the USAF for a year: it was lost in a crash near Malmstrom AFB in 1965.
