It was Oct. 22, 1956, when Bell pilot Floyd Carlson completed the first flight of the “Huey” in Fort Worth, Texas. After landing, I wonder if he realized the significance of the airframe he had just flown. There was no way for him, or the engineers who developed the helicopter, to foresee that Bell would manufacture over 16,000 of them in the next 20 years. It was impossible to predict that he had just flown an aircraft destined to become the most recognized and iconic helicopter in the world.
In 1955, the U.S. Army contracted Bell to develop a utility rotorcraft focused on medical evacuations, leading to the creation of the HU-1, which quickly earned the nickname “Huey.” The designation later changed to the UH-1 Iroquois.
The Huey was the first mass-produced turbine rotorcraft ever made. Over the years, it evolved through numerous models, upgrades, power improvements, and size changes, but its nickname remained as its legacy grew.
The UH-1 began its wartime service in Vietnam in March 1962. During the conflict, 7,000 Hueys served in a wide range of roles, including troop transport, general support, air assault, medevac, cargo transport, search-and-rescue, electronic warfare, ground attack, and command and control.
The Huey served in all five branches of the military and accumulated 1,166,344 flight hours in Vietnam alone, showcasing its versatility and durability.
Preserving history and supporting veterans
Recently, the Blades of Valor team visited Hayward, California, at the invitation of EMU 309 Huey vets and K-9 Torque for a flight in a beautifully restored UH-1 Huey.
Our first impression of the helicopter was its impeccable maintenance and pristine condition. We quickly learned why: the dedicated team, led by Geoff Carr, is committed to keeping this piece of history flying in its 1968 configuration, as if it was with the 135th Assault Helicopter Company (AHC). That is no easy feat and involves significant expense.
Carr located this specific airframe, which had flown with the 116th AHC in Vietnam and later served the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office before its restoration.
After years of dedication, the helicopter was restored to its current state, replicating the slick configuration of Carr’s unit in Vietnam, where he served as a crew chief/gunner with the callsign “EMU 309.” Carr’s unit, EMU, was an experimental military unit composed of U.S. Army and Royal Australian Navy personnel.
EMU Inc. is a non-profit organization whose goals are to preserve the history of the Huey helicopter, honor the memory of all Vietnam veterans, and support veterans impacted by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other invisible wounds of war through comradery and contact with EMU 309.
The stories of veterans flying in EMU 309 are emotional and impactful. Vietnam veterans connect with the Huey’s sound, smell, vibration, and appearance in a way that is unmatched. Even veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who have never been in a UH-1 are moved by its healing power, speaking to how iconic the Huey is. Some saw it firsthand, while many others encountered it through news or Hollywood over the years. The Huey is very special.
K-9 Torque
An additional member of the EMU 309 Huey vets team is a highly trained Belgian Malinois named Torque. This multitalented canine provides comfort to veterans flying aboard EMU 309.
When K-9 Torque isn’t fighting crime by locating cell phones and SD cards of sexual predators, she is completing exposure therapy flights with veterans on the Huey. Torque holds the world record for canine Huey flight hours.
Canines played a big role in Vietnam where over 4,000 dogs were utilized for patrol and detection. The photos of our veterans hugging K-9 Torque inside the Huey during flight are truly touching. A helicopter and a dog are making a significant difference in the lives of the veterans who visit EMU 309.
We must never forget the sacrifices made by our veterans. The history of what they have done must be preserved and shared with generations to come. In Vietnam, 58,220 Americans were lost, along with 523 Australians, 134 Canadians, and over 200,000 South Vietnamese soldiers. Honoring the fallen and supporting our veterans is a duty for all of us.
EMU 309 Huey vets and K-9 Torque are committed to this mission. To learn more about how to support the cause, visit hueyvets.com.
Make sure to check out the Hangar Z Podcast episode featuring the Huey vets (ep. 166 and ep. 167).