The iconic Bell UH-1 “Huey,” a rotary-winged workhorse famous for its role in the Vietnam War, appears to have made its final flight with the United States Air Force. The National Interest reports that the 459th Airlift Squadron, based in Yokota Air Base, Japan, flew its last UH-1N Huey in a ceremony that closed a chapter spanning over 45 years of service.
Once operated by all four branches of the US military (Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines), the Huey has gradually been phased out of service. First came the Navy, as it phased out its Huey operations in 2009, followed by the Marines in 2014. The Army retired its UH-1s from 2013 to 2016, and the USAF was the final holdout.
The End Of The Line For The UH-1 Huey
The UH-1 Huey (officially known as the Iroquois) revolutionized military aviation when it entered service in 1960 as the US military’s first turbine-powered helicopter. Roughly 16,000 were produced throughout its lifetime, and over 7,000 saw action in Vietnam, performing roles from troop transport and medevac to gunship operations.
As newer helicopter platforms emerged, each branch began a phased retirement. The US Navy retired HH-1s by 2009, while the US Marines replaced their Hueys with the significantly updated UH-1Y Venoms by 2014. and the Army completed its phase-out by 2016. Many of those final airframes were transferred to state and law enforcement agencies, where they continued flying in police and rescue roles.
The Air Force was the last holdout, retaining UH-1N Twin Hueys for base security, search-and-rescue, and utility missions. At Yokota, the final Hueys were built and honed for long-term service with updates like night-vision compatible cockpits and terrain awareness systems. However, these helicopters have aged to the point where their retirement has become necessary.
Looking To The Future For The Air Force
The Huey’s replacement in Air Force service is the 
Boeing MH-139A Grey Wolf, a twin-engine multi-role helicopter derived from the Leonardo AW139. The Grey Wolf features more advanced technology, more capabilities, and extended endurance to usher in a new generation of service and represent a full transition away from legacy helicopters.
The Huey design remains in production as the UH-1Y Venom; however, this variant has significant differences from its predecessors. The US Marine Corps replaced its Hueys with the UH-1Y Venom, while the Air Force is switching to Boeing instead. As a whole, the UH-1 has ultimately become obsolete, given how long ago it was designed.
|
Specification |
Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf |
|---|---|
|
Entry-into-service |
2020 |
|
Capacity |
Up to 15 |
|
Engines |
2x Pratt & Whitney PT6 Turboshafts |
|
Current fleet requirement |
36 |
The MH-139 program has faced significant challenges and has been cut numerous times by the Pentagon. The tender initially called for over 80 helicopters to be built by Boeing, but now, the order has been whittled and whittled down to just 36 examples. Furthermore, the MH-139’s development has faced numerous setbacks. Most notably, unlike fixed-wing military aircraft, military helicopters are required to receive FAA certification, which Boeing has struggled to attain for the aircraft.
The Service Life And Legacy Of The UH-1
From its introduction in the 1950s, the UH-1 Huey has redefined aerial mobility in military aviation. It was able to transport soldiers and medics to remote or battlefield areas at rapid speed, and it was far more flexible than a fixed-wing transport. During Vietnam, Hueys saved tens of thousands of lives and became cultural icons of the war.
Subsequent variants received modifications over decades to handle everything from armed assault and communications to high-rise city operations and testing roles at locations like Yuma Proving Ground, where some airframes served into the mid-2010s. Known for their robustness and reliability, the Hueys continued to be a critical part of the military’s helicopter strategy for decades.
Today, the MH-139 is taking over the baton for the US Air Force. However, the Huey remains one of the most iconic helicopters to have ever flown for the United States, shaping US military design and identity for decades.
