Hurlburt Field in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant"

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016

1. HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant" Marker

Inscription.
The Sikorsky Helicopter Company initially developed the H-3 for the Navy from which the Air Force developed a general-purpose version designated the CH-3E. Some of these were converted to HH-3E "Jolly Green Giants" for the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service and were used throughout Southeast Asia for rescue operations. Special Operations Forces also used the HH-3E in combat operations throughout the region. This aircraft carried a crew of two or three and up to 30 troops or 15 stretchers. The 1 SOW received its first CH-3Es on 13 March 1973, and they saw service at Hurlburt Field until September 1980, when they were replaced by the larger HH-53H. This aircraft was installed in the Air Park and dedicated in May 1992.

Erected 1992 by the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is March 13, 1973.

Location. 30° 24.825′ N, 86° 42.058′ W. Marker is in Hurlburt Field, Florida, in Okaloosa County. Marker can be reached from Cody Avenue. Located at the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park and access to the base is restricted. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 Independence Road, Hurlburt Field FL 32544, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Operation Kingpin (a few steps from this marker); MH-53 Pave Low (a few steps from this marker); A-26 Counter-Invader (a few steps from this marker); Lieutenant Colonel William Atkinson Jones, III (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Major Bernard Francis Fisher (within shouting distance of this marker); A-1E Skyraider (within shouting distance of this marker); Combat Talon Aircrew S-59 (within shouting distance of this marker); Medal of Honor Recipients (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hurlburt Field.

Regarding HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant".

HH-3E tail #65-12784 history:
Delivered to the USAF on 30 May 1966, this helicopter provided Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and transport services at multiple locations throughout Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Philippines and in the United States at Suffolk Air National Guard Base, NY in 1984, Homestead AFB, FL in 1990 and Davis Monthan AFB, AZ in 1991.

Also see . . . Sikorsky HH-3E Jolly Green Giant Search and Rescue (SAR) Helicopter (1967). Military Factory website entry (Submitted on November 22, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant" helicopter. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016

2. HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant" helicopter.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.