Interesting article in one of the defense journals I recieve -- the USAF is planning on flying it's UH-1N Hueys for another 30 years -- they had planned on buying a new commercial helo to replace the Huey (the CVLSP program- Common Vertical Life Support Platform) but budget was eliminated for 2013. Air Force GLobal Strike Command announced they may fly them (after endurance, range, speed, navigation, survivability and commo upgrades -- they are used for guarding nuclear ICBM fields and ferrying brass around DC). AF will also take used UH-1's from the USMC and run them thru depot maintenance
for upgrades to keep inventory up. Thus, some of the AF Hueys will fly until they are 70+ years old. Hanging in there better than some of our Forum friends who have lamented thier 60's in recent posts (just kidding friends).

Everyone on this forum remembers their first Huey ride -- and the unmistakeable sound of the rotors. In recent years, with the advent of the Blackhawk, the only ones I saw were some in medevac units and Marine Huey's I saw if on a joint service mission. As much as I like Blackhawks (I was the CJA -command judge advocate for an aviation unit for 8 years, and have hitched rides on Mi-8's, Mi-2's, Pumas, Chinooks and a blast from the past, an H-34 Sikorsky in Thailand), the Huey still brings back many memories. Still an analog airframe (no digital displays/controls) -- a venerable workhorse.

So, even though I am Army to the core, I salute our Air Force
brothers for preserving the Huey -- it will join the C-130 and B-52 as our longest lived airframes. By the way, the "Buffs" from Barksdale AFB In Bossier City (about 190 miles north of Lake Charles), fly down to Chennault International Airpark (here in LC) on training missions, touch&go's, etc -- they are a marvel to witness -- I have met some of the aircrews who
were born years after the B-52 they are flying was manufactured. Chennault (named after the Flying Tiger legend) was a SAC base in the 50's -60's, long before I moved to LC and a thriving airpark now (FEDEX brings in its aircraft for maintenance, Northrop Grumman re-engines AF tnakers here, among other work). Lake Charles has a Huey (1st Cav markings and reported to be one of the airlift helos in the Ia Drang campaign) mounted on a pedestal at our lakefront military memorial -- just dedicated last year at Memorial Day ceremonies -- makes a nice stop if any of you are driving by on I-10, just 2 minutes off the interstate).

There is an ANG Medivac unit in Concord, New Hampshire. Several years ago their Huey's were replaced by the Blackhawk, but they have at least 1 Huey that is occasionally taken out and up, to get the dust off it probably.

I am still waiting for my first ride in one of those things! What I would give...

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Geoff. Since 1960.

Chopper mechanics have a saying-

"When they fly the last Blackhawk to the boneyard, the crew'll ride back in a Huey."

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I love that Huey sound. The last ones flying around here were air ambulances and we're in the direct flight path between 3 hospitals. You could hear 'em coming from miles away. It was a sad day when they replaced the UH-1s with newer birds. The ANG Blackhawks come to play at the local airport on a regular basis, but they're nowhere near as evocative as the old Huey.

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Rick, W0FG
CTR2 68-72

Intrigued, so I searched for the article (Defense News). Mixed emotions about this one. Yes, I remember fondly my first (and subsequent) Huey rides; I figure between boondoggles, air assaults and a dustoff (me) I have 50+hours in them over the years. I agree-- a fine and proven airframe. However nostalgia aside, I think serving troops should be provided the best tools the Nation can provide; certainly not 60+ year old technology. I understand the fiscal realities; but alas,I disagree with the chosen priorities...

i still remember my first ride. bien hoa air base to an loc in quan loi provence. many inbetween that and the last, an AF medivac from 25 miles west of cam rahn bay back to the hospital there. lots of fond and not so fond memories in those old work horses. you hated the ride til you heard them fade into the distance after dropping you off in some god forsaken spot on the map. lee

We had Para Rescue with Jolly Green on my base UBRTAF Flew on them a few times. Great fun. I was LEO.

And here I thought my '72 CJ5 was a little long in the tooth.

Only rode in a Huey once but the sound is forever.

Here is a good example of If it "ain't" broke, do not fix it.

And also, IF it doing the Job that Needs to be done, do not try to re-invent the wheel...

There are a couple of them here at Fairchild AFB that are used on a nearly daily basis. They are used for SAR when needed, but mainly are there to support the SERE school. From my back door/deck I can watch them circle climb to altitude and then watch the SERE instructors earn their jump pay for the month. Between the Hueys thumping around and the sound of 4 T-56 Allisons on the P3s that come there to bounce I really can't ask for more!

bob

Lockheed is still cranking out new C-130s. The USAF is now buying the newest Hercules version, the C-130J. It is longer so it carries more, has more powerful engines, and a "glass" cockpit with a HUD.

Truely, the last C-130 pilot has not been born yet!

Edmo

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TRUTH: Don't delete my posts!

I don't see anything wrong with keeping the UH-1 in the air for some missions.
I guess as long as the welfare ranks swell OUR money will need to be spent on those folks and not our military.
Unfortunately, the *as long as* part doesn't seem to have an end since we no longer have the manufacturing jobs that made The Middle Class from those many that would have been jobless otherwise. There are huge masses of people graduating from high school every year with fewer and fewer jobs to allow them to support themselves.
How much longer can this go on?

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In dog years I'm dead.

I rode around in them during the Kosovo campaign. Great aircraft.

So the B-52, C-130 and UH-1 remain but I just read in the Seattle paper that the first C-17 is being retired. Like many things now there doesn't seem to be an expectation of longevity.

1sg,
You nailed it. I loved stepping out on that skid during Air Assault School (something the Blackhawk is lacking). As much as I love my "airtime" in the UH-1, the UH-60 is a better air frame. The Huey is a Jeep, and the Blackhawk is a Hummer.

Don't forget the KC-135.

Thanks for posting this.

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Where's my dad's America?

I thought the US military dumped the Huey in the 80's?

HerkNav, Northrop Grumman has re-engined and refurbished quite a few KC-135's right here in Lake Charles at Chennault over the last 10 years. They look very nice after they are "renewed".

I was going to post that.