Page 69 - History of War - Issue 29-16
P. 69
UH-1H IROQUOIS ‘HUEY’
Including the crew, a Huey
could seat up to 15 people,
usually American infantrymen
CREW AND
PASSENGERS
The Huey was manned by four
crewmembers. The Aircraft
Commander (or A/C) was the
main pilot and in command of
the aircraft at all times during a
mission. The co-pilot assisted A medical helicopter picks up an injured
the A/C and ew the aircraft soldier of the 101st Airborne Division near the MISSIONS
when needed. The crew chief demilitarised zone in South Vietnam in 1969 The Huey’s primary task was to carry
was responsible for maintaining infantry into combat, a procedure
the aircraft while the door gunner commonly called, ‘combat assaults’,
assisted the crew chief and which involved a ‘package’ of eight to
manned the right door gun while ten Hueys transporting the infantry.
ying. All crewmembers were These were supported by two to
issued with body armour jokingly three gunships and observed by a
referred to as ‘chicken plates’. Command and Control helicopter
The main passengers were hovering overhead.
usually six to eight American As a multi-purpose helicopter, the
infantrymen en route to, or Huey had other missions including
returning from, combat zones, but supplying food, water, ammunition
the Huey could seat 15 people or and other necessities to infantry
house six stretchers. in the eld or at forward bases. It
was also used as a medical vehicle,
transporting wounded soldiers to
safety and treatment. Hueys are still
used by various countries for re-
ghting missions, humanitarian aid,
research operations and search and
rescue duties.
A Huey door gunner poses
with the command chopper Right: A Huey spraying Agent Orange
of Major General John H Hay over the Vietnam countryside in an
Jr, commanding general of effort to expose hidden ghters
the 1st infantry division
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