Joint Base Andrews, Md. –
The 11th Wing took possession of the first of three "new" UH-1N helicopters, previously owned by the U.S. Marine Corps, Oct. 17. The helicopter arrived at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on Oct. 21.
The helicopters are assigned to the 811th Operations Group, flown by the 1st Helicopter Squadron and maintained by the contract maintenance under oversight of the 811th Operations Support Squadron.
"The entire project is a $14.4 million venture involving 15 modifications turning three Marine UH-1N 'Huey' helicopters into Air Force Block One H-1N helicopters," said Lt. Col. Bob Lockwood, 1 HS assistant director of operations.
The helicopters will have a matching paint scheme to the current UH-1Ns operated by 11 WG and will generally appear the same from the outside.
The UH-1N is a light-lift utility helicopter used to support multiple missions at various bases worldwide. Primary missions include: airlift of emergency security forces, security and surveillance of off-base nuclear weapons convoys, and distinguished visitor airlift. Other uses include: disaster response operations, search and rescue, medical evacuation, airborne cable inspections, support to aircrew survival school, aerial testing, routine missile site support and transport.
"The arrival of the first helicopter marks the culmination of efforts from the squadron level up to the Headquarters Air Force level and across multiple functional components," Lockwood said. "These helicopters will increase the capabilities of the 11th Wing to meet its critical missions."
The UH-1N entered the Air Force inventory in 1970 to provide search and rescue capabilities. HH-1H's and UH-1F's supporting missile wings were eventually replaced by the UH-1N due to the greater safety and capability offered by the twin engine.
The 11 WG's newest addition to their inventory will have some variations and improvements that will require additional familiarization training for the aircrew and maintainers at JBA.
"With this new bird we have the ability with the flick of a switch to go from red lights to night-vision goggle compatible blue-green lights throughout the entire cockpit," said Capt. Kent Reichle, 1 HS Tactics and Exercises flight commander.
Flight safety in low visibility situations will also increase.
"The Marine bird has NVG formation lighting on the outside of the aircraft, so when we start doing night formation flights again it will be safer," Reichle said. "We will be able to tell the direction and speed of aircraft from much further away, and recognize and correct any improper closure rates or angles faster due to the better lighting."
Two more helicopters are scheduled to arrive in January of 2015 once they have completed depot-level maintenance.