US Air Force, September 16, 2019 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NV by Senior Airman Miranda Loera - The 66th Rescue Squadron (RQS) unveiled the newly constructed helicopter Jolly Pad Aug. 24. The old location of the Jolly Pad caused safety concerns as well as limited space for the HH-60G Pave Hawks helicopters.
This innovation was a partnered effort between Nellis AFB and Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The execution of the project was based on space and safety.
“Through this team effort, flight operations should become safer for both takeoffs and landing approaches,” said Col. Jason Pifer, 563rd Rescue Group commander. “The old location had the helicopters flying over vulnerable locations that were close to facilities and highways. With this new space, it has the potential to improve rotary operations as well as increase safety.”
The project to construct the new Jolly Pad was funded $3 million, and was awarded in 2018 in conjunction with four additional helicopter parking pads and rehab of Taxiway Kilo. Frank Wertin, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron engineering flight chief, oversaw the tasks and operations.
“The 99th CES engineers played a major role in the execution,” said Wertin. “From the planning to programming to design, these engineers have been there from start to finish.”
The old Jolly Pad will be demolished and turned into parking spots, creating more space to house new helicopters.
“I was proud to watch everyone work through this tedious process and taking the right steps to complete the project,” said Pifer. “In the end, everybody had a common goal and that was to increase helicopter operations on the installation by having a larger area to house more aircraft. We’ve made it safer and more effective and that is due in part to the larger team effort between the different wings. I am extremely appreciative of the 99th and the 57th coming together to help bring the vision to life.”
This innovation was a partnered effort between Nellis AFB and Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The execution of the project was based on space and safety.
“Through this team effort, flight operations should become safer for both takeoffs and landing approaches,” said Col. Jason Pifer, 563rd Rescue Group commander. “The old location had the helicopters flying over vulnerable locations that were close to facilities and highways. With this new space, it has the potential to improve rotary operations as well as increase safety.”
The project to construct the new Jolly Pad was funded $3 million, and was awarded in 2018 in conjunction with four additional helicopter parking pads and rehab of Taxiway Kilo. Frank Wertin, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron engineering flight chief, oversaw the tasks and operations.
“The 99th CES engineers played a major role in the execution,” said Wertin. “From the planning to programming to design, these engineers have been there from start to finish.”
The old Jolly Pad will be demolished and turned into parking spots, creating more space to house new helicopters.
“I was proud to watch everyone work through this tedious process and taking the right steps to complete the project,” said Pifer. “In the end, everybody had a common goal and that was to increase helicopter operations on the installation by having a larger area to house more aircraft. We’ve made it safer and more effective and that is due in part to the larger team effort between the different wings. I am extremely appreciative of the 99th and the 57th coming together to help bring the vision to life.”
Nellis AFB See also |
66th RQS
66th Rescue Squadron US Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk in
US Air Force 
