Free Republic

YAKIMA, Wash. -- An icon of the Vietnam War, a faithful conveyer of American troops across the globe and savior to countless lost or injured civilians, the Huey helicopter’s long Army service is ending. For the medevac detachment at the Army’s Yakima Training Center, that distinguished career concluded Wednesday. More than 50 years after the first models lifted off, the Army is retiring the few single-bladed UH-1 variants still sitting on the flightline. Wednesday’s retirement ceremony at the training center was a bittersweet moment for the pilots, crewmen and passengers who came to know the Huey as a reliable machine...

A fast-food restaurant in this western Ontario city served cheeseburgers to a Canadian Forces pilot Thursday — while his helicopter was parked outside. Michelle Patterson said Friday she thought something was wrong when she looked out one of the windows of the A&W restaurant. All she saw was flying dust. "I thought, 'Oh gee,' and I went over to the side of our building and there was a helicopter there with a police car," she said. Moments later, the helicopter pilot walks into the restaurant. "He said he was here to pick up some supper before taking off again," said...

AL ANBAR PROVINCE ? A risky maneuver by a Marine helicopter crew saved an injured Army soldier?s life Sept. 25. UH-1N Huey pilots, Capt. Clint R. Marshall and 1st Lt. Ryan N. Harshman, and their two crew members, Staff Sgt. Mark Pipasquale and Sgt. Samair Alyassini, were conducting a convoy support mission in Iraq?s Al Anbar Province when they were redirected to provide cover for a disabled aircraft. "We knew there was an injury when we arrived to the site," said Marshall, assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, Marine Aircraft Group 16 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)....

AL ASAD, Iraq (May 5, 2006) -- A distinctive beating is heard overhead as two attack helicopters circle ground forces patrolling the western Al Anbar Province of Iraq. The slim, grasshopper-like powerhouses and barrel-chested gunships belong to the pioneers of close air combat support, the Gunrunners of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Aircraft Group 16 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Both the AH-1W Super Cobra and the UH-1N Huey, are organic to the squadron. The aircraft, as a team, are capable of distributing massive amounts of firepower to both ground and air opposing forces. The Gunrunners returned to...

CAMP AL QAIM, Iraq (Nov. 18, 2005) -- The UH-1 Huey helicopter is one of the oldest aircraft in the Marine Corps’ war arsenal. Like its counterpart, the AH-1 Cobra, Hueys have been around since the days of Vietnam, and in Iraq, the helicopters named for utility are living up to their title. At Camp Al Qaim, Iraq, a detachment from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 provides the rotary wing close-air support for the ground forces in the area. They know firsthand the importance of the less glorified cousin of the Cobra. Hueys fly with crews of four, two...

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<p>MERRITT ISLAND -- As a UH-1H Huey helicopter was prepared to stand sentry high on a pedestal in front of the Veterans Memorial Center, it began to capture attention.</p> <p>"One man came up, left a bouquet of flowers, put his hand on it and started to cry," said Maurice Meisner, co-chairman of the Veterans Memorial Center. "I didn't think it would be such an emotional thing."</p>

Olie North reporting, happened just a few minutes ago.