How the Huey Became the Workhorse of the Vietnam War The Huey helicopter has been referred to as the workhorse of the Vietnam War.
This is because the Huey — aka the Bell UH-1 Iroquois — performed a variety of roles during that conflict. It flew medical evacuation missions, transported troops into battle, and even served as an attack helicopter.
First introduced into service in the late 1950s, some 17,000 Hueys have been built for service over the years. The United States has used them in countless military operations throughout the latter decades of the 20th century. Marines piloting the UH-1N Hueys even flew gunship support missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
All of which is to say, the Huey has a long, rich history — and one worth revisiting now as it is being phased out of the US military’s fleet to make room for more sophisticated multipurpose helicopter platforms. Here are some interesting highlights.