By John Turner, 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. (AFNS) —  Two MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters assigned to the 40th Helicopter Squadron conducted their first operational Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile convoy Jan. 8, marking an important milestone in the modernization of Air Force Global Strike Command’s nuclear security operations. 
 
The MH-139s shepherded a column of missile maintenance and armored security vehicles to and from a launch facility located more than 100 miles east of Malmstrom Air Force Base without needing to refuel during the six-hour movement, demonstrating the superior capabilities of AFGSC’s newest helicopter as the Air Force prepares to retire the UH-1N Huey after more than five decades of service. 

“Executing our first convoy mission with two MH-139s marks a significant step forward in strengthening our missile security operations,” said Maj. Gen. Stacy Huser, 20th Air Force commander. “The MH-139 allows us to continue supporting our ICBM enterprise for decades to come with increased speed, range and lift.” 

Speed and reach are demanded specifically due to the more than 100 launch facilities dispersed across Malmstrom AFB’s 13,800-square-mile area of responsibility that spans diverse topography of prairies, plains and mountain ranges. 

Not only is the MH-139 approximately 50% faster than the UH-1N and can arrive on-site several minutes sooner – armed and with twice as many troops on board – it also has enhanced defensive systems and is built to support missile field security missions across vast and austere terrain. 

The recent convoy escort mission gained valuable operational experience for AFGSC as 20th AF progresses toward initial operational capability of its Grey Wolf fleet. 

“I am incredibly proud of our Airmen who made this success possible,” said Col. Bryant Bevan, 582nd Helicopter Group commander. “This mission provided us a multitude of lessons learned, which we will utilize as we continue to work toward accomplishing IOC for the MH-139.” 

The MH-139’s implementation into Air Force operations has been an ongoing program for the last several years. 

Boeing delivered the first MH-139A to the United States Air Force on Dec. 19, 2019, at Duke Field, Florida. This began combined developmental testing for the UH-1N replacement program. 

Malmstrom AFB then hosted a welcome ceremony for the MH-139A on March 9, 2024. The 550th Helicopter Squadron at Malstrom AFB began MH-139 conversion training the following month. 

The first Initial Operational Test and Evaluation flight in support of nuclear security operations was on Jan. 29, 2025.