Posted on 02/03/2020 10:33:45 AM PST by Red Badger
The Army's helicopters have a number of names you recognize immediately: Apache, Black Hawk, Kiowa, Lakota, Comanche. They are also known as the names of Native American tribes. This is not a coincidence.
According to GlobalSecurity.org, this was originally due to Army Regulation 70-28, which has since been rescinded. Today, while the regulation is gone, the tradition remains, and there is a procedure to pick a new name. The Bureau of Indian Affairs keeps a list of names for the Army to use. When the Army gets a new helicopter (or fixed-wing aircraft), the commanding officer of the Army Material Command (the folks who buy the gear) comes up with a list of five names.
Now, they can't just be any names. These names must promote confidence in the abilities of the helicopter or plane, they cannot sacrifice dignity, and they must promote an aggressive spirit. Those names then have to be run by the United States Patent Office, of all places. There's a lot more bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo to go through, but eventually a name is picked.
An OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter from the 1st Infantry Division takes off on a mission from Forward Operation Base MacKenzie, Iraq. It is armed with an AGM-114 Hellfire and 7 Hydra 70 rockets. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Then comes something unique – the helicopter or aircraft is then part of a ceremony attended by Native American leaders, who bestow tribal blessings. You might be surprised, given that the Army and the Native Americans were on opposite side of the Indian Wars – and those wars went on for 148 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Three UH-60 Black Hawk (Blackhawk) helicopters prepare to touch down next to the Point Salines Airport runway during Operation URGENT FURY. (SUBSTANDARD)
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Don't be. The fact is, despite the 148 years of hostilities, Native Americans also served with the United States military. Eli Parker, the only Native American to reach general's rank, was a personal aide to General Ulysses S. Grant. Most impressively, 25 Native Americans have received the Medal of Honor for heroism.
Gen. Abidin Ünal, Turkey's Air Force Chief of Staff, waves during takeoff in a UH-1N Iroquois at Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 6, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ryan J. Sonnier)
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In other words, the Army's helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft bear names that reflect fierce and courageous warriors who also have fought well as part of the United States Army. That is a legacy worth remembering and honoring with some of the Army's most prominent systems.
“Huey” comes from Vietnam and Hollywood. The offfical name is UH1 Iroquois and that’s how we learned it in the Army. I’m glad to see it’s official name used for a change.
The US Navy also used the names of Indian tribes for smaller ships. However, I think the Navy should honor war chiefs by naming warships after them. Imagine USS Crazy Horse
Few years back, DOD had me go to a FOB while in AFGH. The trip was on a full Chinook. About 30 minutes into the flight the two side gunners opened up with their .50 cal. I was seated in the front so I was unable to see if the guy laying in the back opened up with his .50 cal. They dropped me off while later with engines running. Never found out why they fired.. Figured it was just practice...
As they say down south, “goddamnyankee”.
“Most impressively, 25 Native Americans have received the Medal of Honor for heroism.”
I always liked the Chinook, or, at least, its nickname.
“Still waiting for the Hekawi. It’ll be a very small chopper. Maybe a one man gyrocopter.”
“Most impressively, 25 Native Americans have received the Medal of Honor for heroism.”
Wow.
Well, the swabbies are, “different” in who their heros are?
j/k
IIRC Huey is just as bastardization of the aircraft designation “UH-1”
“Slick” sided UH-1 as opposed to the gunships with a lot of armament hanging off the sides.
Mentioned before how some of us were amazed how many native Americans were in our 1965 boot camp platoon. Mostly Navajo.
Marines?
It was first designated HU-1 hence branded "Huey" by the troops.
They were damn good fighters, and there is nothing wrong in recognizing that.
“...and I think that there is likely no ethnic group that even comes close as a percentage ...”
First thing that popped into my head too.
Somebody finally got it!
They are both descendants from the long-lost Wheretheheckawi tribe. They predate GPS by many moons. Their smoke signals often malfunctioned, though.
Right. You know better than most, doorgunner69.
I wish I had a dollar for every mile I rode in one.
That sight in the mirror would pucker anybody. LOL
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