We’ve all seen movies depicting an emergency that threatens the White House or the Capitol. In those films, a running helicopter is ready to whisk officials away to a secure location to continue governing through the chaos. Some lived it on September 11, 2001. While we hope to never again see such a catastrophe, the fact is that we must be prepared for it. That mission, called Continuity of Government (COG), is central to the Air Force District of Washington.
Unfortunately, tucked away in the Department of Defense’s 2026 budget request is a change that will make the COG mission — and in fact all VIP transport in the DC area — more difficult and more expensive in the long run.
In 2018, the Air Force selected the MH-139A Grey Wolf to replace its aging UH-1N Huey helicopter fleet. The Grey Wolf was chosen specifically to fulfill two critical missions: protecting Intercontinental Ballistic Missile sites across the country and conducting VIP transport missions within the nation’s capital. With greater speed, range, payload, and comfort than its predecessor, the MH-139 is based on the widely used Leonardo AW139 — a civilian-rated VIP/executive transport platform with a proven safety record and modern technology. Boeing won the competition to deliver 84 of these purpose-built helicopters after a thorough, competitive process that balanced performance, cost, and mission suitability.
But now, the DOD is proposing a head-scratching shift: instead of continuing with the MH-139A for the COG and VIP mission, it plans to modify existing HH-60W Jolly Green helicopters to take over the role. On paper, repurposing aircraft already in inventory may seem fiscally responsible — but the reality is far more expensive.
The HH-60W is a superb combat search and rescue helicopter, but that’s exactly the problem — it’s built for an entirely different mission set. Its cost reflects that: the HH-60W has nearly double the acquisition cost of the MH-139A, and it costs roughly six times more to fly. According to the DOD Comptroller, the MH-139 costs roughly $2,000 per flight hour, compared to nearly $12,000 for the Jolly Green. For a fleet flying regular VIP missions, that’s a staggering difference. Over decades, the additional operational costs alone could fund multiple other critical defense priorities.
And that’s just the beginning. The HH-60W’s larger physical footprint could require costly facility upgrades at Joint Base Andrews. Adding HH-60Ws to the flight line may necessitate renovations just to fit them, whereas the MH-139 fits in the same footprint as the UH-1N Hueys being replaced. There’s also the issue of training infrastructure: the Air Force has already stood up a dedicated training pipeline for the MH-139A. Switching to a new aircraft will likely require a third costly training unit, which will slow down pilot and maintenance qualifications and require the support staff to learn yet another new system. This is not efficiency — it’s duplication and delay.
There’s also a lost-opportunity cost: the MH-139A’s design and performance are better aligned with VIP safety and comfort, offering a smoother ride, lower noise levels, and better cabin ergonomics for officials who may need to work en route. More specifically, the MH-139’s main and tail rotors sit high off the ground — increasing safety for passengers approaching the aircraft. Additionally, as an urban-friendly helicopter, it meets all FAA standards for noise. In a crisis, these factors matter. Comfort is not about luxury — it’s about ensuring leaders can remain calm, connected, and operational under stress.
All said, the switch from MH-139A to HH-60W at Andrews could cost the taxpayer an additional $2-3 billion over the life of the program, while delivering a less optimal aircraft for the mission. That’s not sound procurement — it’s a step backward.
Beyond the dollars and cents, there is a critical national security question at heart: why swap out a helicopter custom-chosen for the COG and VIP transport mission in favor of one never designed for it? The MH-139A isn’t just cheaper — it’s better suited to fly cabinet officials, members of Congress, and military leaders swiftly and safely out of harm’s way. This is about ensuring our government can remain functional and secure under any circumstance — an objective where there is no margin for error.
The Senate Armed Services Committee recently reaffirmed its support for the full procurement of 84 MH-139As, as originally planned. That’s the right call. Walking away from that plan now would not only constitute a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars; it risks degrading readiness, creating logistical headaches, and complicating our ability to govern through crisis.
The MH-139 Grey Wolf was selected for a reason. It’s the right aircraft for the right mission at the right cost. We should not let short-term budget optics override long-term strategic sense. Congress and the Department of Defense must stay the course — our leaders and the American people they serve deserve nothing less.
And there’s one more point: readiness itself is a deterrent. When adversaries know that America’s leaders can be moved instantly to secure command centers, our government remains unshakable in the face of any threat. The Grey Wolf isn’t just about responding to crises — it’s about preventing them. That’s why staying with the MH-139 is not just smart policy, it’s a strategic necessity.
George Landrith is the President of Frontiers of Freedom Institute – a public policy think tank devoted to promoting a strong national defense, free markets, individual liberty, and constitutionally limited government. Mr. Landrith is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was the Business Editor of the Virginia Journal of Law and Politics. He is a member of the United States Supreme Court bar. His most recent book is “Let Freedom Ring… Again” with the subtitle “Can Self-Evident Truths Save America from Further Decline?”