USAF interest in the S-61 Navy helicopter resulted in the purchase of the first three units for use in servicing radar sites in the Atlantic Ocean, often called ‘Texas Towers’. These were designated as CH-3Bs. A substitution of T58-GE-5 engines of 1,500 hp for the 1,300 hp units resulted in a redesignation of the craft to CH-3E. A version 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’.
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 It was withdrawn and sent to the AF Flight Testing Center (AFSC), Edwards AFB, California in October, 1979; and finally to the 129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group (ANG),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 25 September, 1990, and turned over to the museum for display.