USAF interest in the S-61 Navy helicopter resulted in the purchase of the first
<p>three units for use in servicing radar sites in the Atlantic Ocean, often called “Texas
Towers”. These aircraft were designated as CH-3Bs. The fitting of the 1,500 hp T58-
GE-5 engines for the original 1,300 hp units resulted in a redesignation of the craft to
CH-3E. Versions equipped with armor-plate, refueling probe, and machine gun
armament served with the Air-Sea Rescue units in Vietnam, where the aircraft was given
the nickname “Jolly Green Giant”.
</p><p>USAF S/N 65-5690 was manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft, Bridgeport,
Connecticut, and was delivered to the Air Force on October 29, 1965. It was assigned to
the 2nd Air Division (PACAF), Tan Son Nhut AFB, Vietnam in December 1965. It was
transferred to the 377th Combat Support Group (PACAF), Tan Son Nhut AFB, in April,
1966; and the 20th Helicopter Squadron (PACAF), Tan Son Nhut, in October 1966; 14th
AF Communications Wing (PACAF), Tan Son Nhut, in December 1966, and
subsequently to Nha Trang AFB, Vietnam in July 1968, and 14th Special Operations
Wing (PACAF), Udorn AFB, Thailand in August 1968. It was modified to CH-3E
configuration and assigned to the 56th Special Operations Wing (PACAF), Udorn AFB.
In August 1971 it was transferred to the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing (TAC), Davis-
Monthan AFB, Arizona; to the 432nd Technical Operations Group (TAC), and to the
Military Aircraft Storage Center (AFLC), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona in January 1979.
It was withdrawn and sent to the AF Flight Testing Center (AFSC), Edwards AFB,
California in October 1979; and finally to the 129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery
Group (ANG), Moffet AFB, California. It was flown to the 55th Air Rescue and
Recovery Squadron (MAC), McClellan AFB, California, on September 25, 1990, and
</p>
turned over to the museum for display.
<a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:LEHarrison&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1" class="new" title="User:LEHarrison (page does not exist)">LEHarrison</a>
<span class="int-own-work" lang="en">Own work</span>