After the preliminary IOT&E testing, the MH-139A Gray Wolf took half for the primary time within the train centered on the secure and safe transport of nuclear weapons and supplies.
The U.S. Air Pressure’s new MH-139A Gray Wolf helicopter not too long ago participated for the primary time within the Nuclear Convoy Course (NCC), an important weeklong train which is a part of the annual coaching carried out to make sure the secure and safe transport of nuclear weapons and supplies. Boeing and the ninetieth Missile Wing, the latter stationed at F.E. Warren AFB in Wyoming, introduced the occasion on Could 21, 2025.
Held at Camp Guernsey Joint Coaching Middle in Wyoming, the train was held from Mar. 30 to Apr. 18, 2025, and noticed the participation of Convoy Response Forces (CRF) from the ninetieth, 91st, and 341st Missile Safety Operations Squadrons, that are stationed at F.E. Warren Air Pressure Base, Wyoming; Minot AFB, North Dakota; and Malmstrom AFB, Montana, respectively.
See the @USAirForce‘s latest helicopter in its factor. 🐺
The #MH139 Gray Wolf not too long ago accomplished its first Nuclear Convoy Course, demonstrating speedy response and monitoring capabilities in a simulated risk setting.
Extra:
📸: U.S. Air Pressure… pic.twitter.com/lqr3UgML19
— Boeing Protection (@BoeingDefense) Could 21, 2025
The press launch quoted Air Pressure World Strike Command’s (AFGSC) Operations and Plans Directorate (A3SO) coaching and drive improvement supervisor Grasp Sgt. Kevin Brown, who mentioned the NCC validated new programs just like the MH-139A Gray Wolf and the Payload Transporter substitute automobile (PTR), which offer “safety and secure transport for ICBMs off set up as a part of the modernization of nuclear programs as outlined by Normal Bussiere’s strategic imaginative and prescient.”
Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, chief of the AFGSC, beforehand talked about the Gray Wolf amongst a number of nuclear modernization efforts earlier than the Senate Armed Companies Committee on Could 20, 2025. Different efforts talked about embrace the event of the LGM-35A Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and the B-21 Raider stealth strategic bomber.
The MH-139A participated in its first Nuclear Convoy Course (NCC). A weeklong train in Wyoming to make sure the secure and safe transport of nuclear weapons and supplies. 😎
📷 Workers Sgt. Michael A. Richmond
PS. I nonetheless can’t consider the USAF purchased Italian helicopters for… pic.twitter.com/FkH25eC2Yq
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) Could 22, 2025
Drill parts
The MH-139A Gray Wolf is a variant of the AW139M, itself the militarized model of Leonardo’s AW139 industrial helicopter. Leonardo first produces the bottom helicopter at its facility in northeast Philadelphia, and Boeing then modifies and outfits the plane with the mandatory navy gear.
The 550th Helicopter Squadron at Malmstrom AFB acquired the primary manufacturing Gray Wolf on Aug. 5, 2024, as part of a $285 million Low-Charge Preliminary Manufacturing (LRIP) order of 13 helicopters accredited in 2023. Its main process is to help the U.S.’ nuclear safety mission, which incorporates patrolling its nuclear bases and underground launch silos internet hosting the Minuteman III ICBM, and the LGM-35 Sentinel ICBM, as soon as it turns into operational.
“Techniques, Strategies and Procedures (TTPs) have been developed during the last couple of years main as much as these new property changing into operational and should be skilled and validated previous to them rolling out,” mentioned Brown. “NCC is the avenue for such coaching as the brand new property are in a single location, and all new coaching duties will be streamlined and standardized throughout all three missile wings.”
The drill noticed mock fight between F.E. Warren, Minot and Malmstrom AFB’s CRF groups, appearing as defenders, and the united statesArmy’s a hundred and first Airborne Division (Air Assault), appearing because the opposing forces. Their position was to problem the capabilities of the CRF groups to make the coaching extra lifelike.
“Preventing as OPFOR (opposing drive) for this coaching occasion has significantly enhanced our personal capabilities,” mentioned 1st Lt. Luke Davey, scout platoon chief with the a hundred and first Airborne Division (Air Assault). “It has given us an incredible understanding of militia and paramilitary ambushes and the way small parts can battle off bigger enemies. As a reconnaissance platoon, that is notably helpful for us as a result of it’s enhanced our understanding of impediment emplacement, sniper engagements and priorities, non-woodland camouflage, and maximizing firepower as a smaller factor — all of that are pivotal to our position as small reconnaissance groups.”
The first purpose of the train was “to assist Missile Safety Operations Squadrons establish gaps of their defenses, make changes, and return dwelling stronger and extra ready.” Utilizing Joint Mild Tactical Autos, MSOS groups skilled “C-UAS, mounted operations, heavy weapons, helicopter integration” whereas “working in low-visibility circumstances and safe high-value property in lifelike, high-pressure environments.” MSOS models from all three missile wings at the moment are wanting ahead to the third annual Superior Recapture Restoration Operational Warfighter (ARROW).
Enhancing floor safety whereas reinforcing joint air-to-ground coordination. Try a few of the motion that befell throughout the Nuclear Convoy Course at Camp Guernsey Joint Coaching Middle’s South Coaching Space, Wyo. pic.twitter.com/wtg8L2zqLs
— Division of Protection 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) April 21, 2025
Current IOT&E workout routines
The MH-139A Gray Wolf was put by means of an Preliminary Operational Take a look at and Analysis (IOT&E) for every week from Jan. 28, 2025 at Malmstrom AFB in Montana, one of many bases which hosts Minuteman silos. Geared in direction of finally changing the older UH-1N Hueys on this position, thee testing concerned two Hueys from the fortieth Helicopter Squadron (fortieth HS) and two MH-139A Gray Wolfs from the 550th HS assessing its “operational effectiveness, suitability and survivability in a sensible and operational setting.” The “rigorous testing and analysis course of” noticed the “helicopters responding to a simulated risk with a full tactical response drive loadout and onboard weapons.”
The helicopters, actually, carried a staff of 5 fully-armed TRF (Tactical Response Pressure) airmen, to check the helicopter’s capability to “insert and extract tactical response drive Airmen, whereas sustaining efficient communication between the air and floor forces.” The TRF groups have been additionally “individually evaluated on their efficiency by Defenders from the weapons and techniques division.” Each the MH-139s have been additionally carrying two M240 7.62 mm belt-fed machine weapons on the crew’s home windows.
This was adopted by one other IOT&E train on Feb. 21, 2025, when a Gray Wolf from the 550th HS at Malmstrom AFB, “executed a number of flyovers throughout the train earlier than touchdown at a safe distance to deploy 341st Missile Safety Operations Squadron’s TRF Airmen.” The TRF Airmen have been additionally “evaluated on their response to a simulated enemy assault” with the help of a Gray Wolf. To reinforce their emergency response techniques, the TRF Airmen responded to a “simulated emergency notification from a nuclear launch facility,” finally “neutralizing a risk and regaining management of the world.”
Flying coaching continues
The 908th Flying Coaching Wing at Maxwell AFB in Alabama in the meantime continues its coaching sorties with the Gray Wolf, as proven by the images of a “native familiarization and proficiency sortie” going down on Apr. 22, 2025. A Gray Wolf from the 908th Operation Group beneath the 908th FTW was photographed in a drill the place crew members carried out “visible terrain and impediment clearance checks to make sure the touchdown zone is obvious of hazards like bushes, wires, uneven floor, or personnel.”
“This gives real-time steering to the pilots, serving to keep situational consciousness and guaranteeing a secure, exact touchdown – particularly in unimproved or tactical environments,” mentioned the caption accompanying the pictures. Maxwell AFB additionally witnessed an MH-139A Gray Wolf from the 908th FTW conducting the sort’s first ever coaching train on Sep. 7, 2024, in a “visitor participation” of the 908th Operations Help Squadron’s Prepared Airman Coaching Train. The 908th FTW has been transitioning from the C-130 to changing into a proper coaching unit for the MH-139A Gray Wolf helicopter for almost 4 years.
