20th Air Force members traveled to Ireland to learn how to operate the AW139

Fourteen pilots, flight engineers, and security forces members from the 20th Air Force had the valuable opportunity to travel to Ireland recently to learn from AW139 operator, the Irish Air Corps.

The 20th Air Force team of pilots, flight engineers and security forces members pose for a group photo with the Irish Air Corps (IAC) leaders and Ambassador Claire Cronin, U.S. ambassador to Ireland, Nov. 2, 2022, at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, Ireland. The U.S. team spent a week with the IAC to enhance their understanding of the AW139 helicopter in preparation for their transition to the MH-139; Cronin visited with the two teams during the knowledge exchange. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Emily Seaton)


The helicopter type has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to replace its UH-1N and is designated MH-139A in service.

The Irish Air Corps has been operating the AW139 since 2006 and is the first military operator. The No. 3 Operations Wing of the Irish Air Corps was generous in sharing lessons learned, techniques, tactics and procedures with the Americans.

The team from 20th Air Force were given the ride in the Irish AW139 for day and night flights and eventually flew the helicopter as well.

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