Submitted Photo Leadership and members of Team Minot tour a Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter at Minot Air Force on Tuesday, shown in this photo by Senior Airman Zachary Wright. The Grey Wolf will replace the current fleet of Vietnam-era UH-1N Huey helicopters and provide essential mission capability to the Air Force.

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – A MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter made a stop at Minot Air Force Base on Tuesday. It was the first time any of the new helicopters has been at the Minot base.

Boeing was testing this particular aircraft and upon completion of testing took a tour to Minot AFB.

Grey Wolf will replace the Bell UH-1N Huey helicopters that are used to protect the intercontinental ballistic missiles at Minot Air Force Base, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, and Malmstrom AFB, Montana.

This past summer, the Department of the Air Force also announced Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is a fourth location to host MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters to replace Hueys and support missions in the National Capital Region.

Boeing was awarded a $2.4 billion contract in September 2018 for 84 helicopters, training systems and associated support equipment, according to Boeing information. The U.S. Air Force received the first four test MH-139 Grey Wolf test helicopters from Boeing in August.

Grey Wolf is a multi-mission aircraft, based on the proven commercial AW139 helicopter, and designed to protect ICBMs and transport U.S. government officials and security forces.

The new helicopters represent the future of rotorcraft support for missile security including enhanced speed, range and survivability, according to Boeing.

The new helicopters are not expected to be permanently assigned to Minot AFB for some time yet. In November 2020, Sen. John Hoeven announced Grey Wolves are expected at the Minot base in 2026.