Joint Base Andrews begins transition from UH-1N Huey to HH-60W Whiskey helicopters

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. — The iconic "whup-whup-whup" of the 1st Helicopter Squadron's UH-1N Hueys still echoes across the Washington, D.C., area as the helicopters shuttle senior government officials and train for contingency response missions around the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, and beyond.

But on Aug. 27, a new helicopter — one that first flew half a century after the Huey — sat beside the stage for the activation of a squadron that is 57 years younger than the 1st. Officials say it marks the beginning of the end for the UH-1N, though much work remains before the final transition.

New Squadron, New Aircraft

The newly activated 5th Helicopter Squadron, commanded by Lt. Col. Jonathan Bonilla, will lead the 316th Wing's transition from the Huey to the HH-60W Jolly Green II, commonly called the "Whiskey." Earlier this month, the Air Force confirmed Joint Base Andrews as its "preferred location" to host 26 of the HH-60Ws, combat rescue helicopters that will be modified for the executive airlift mission.

During the activation ceremony, Bonilla called the transition "one of the most significant rotary wing transitions our Air Force has undertaken."

A Critical Mission

The mission at Andrews extends beyond ferrying VIPs to and from the Pentagon. It involves crisis response — carrying leaders and ensuring continuity of government operations. Crews remain on alert at a facility steps from the Andrews flightline, ready to respond at a moment's notice.

During the 9/11 terrorist attacks 25 years ago, UH-1Ns were airborne before the Pentagon was struck, providing aid and conducting medical evacuations.

A Phased Transition

The 24/7 nature of the mission means the 1st Helicopter Squadron cannot simply retire its UH-1Ns and prepare for the HH-60W, as most units do when receiving new aircraft. That is where the 5th Helicopter Squadron comes in.

"As they activate, all of their aircrew members that are currently flying the Huey will begin the transition to the HH-60 Whiskey first," explained Lt. Col. Kristopher Schmautz, director of operations for the 1st Helicopter Squadron. "And as they convert those aircrews, the 1st will hold down the mission that we are here [to do] as they are getting up to being able to take part of the mission. And then it'll be a slow transition working with the 5th Helicopter Squadron leadership to transfer some different pieces of our mission, so that we can then convert the members of the 1st Helicopter Squadron to the new HH-60 Whiskey."

The new squadron will bring approximately 60 additional personnel to Andrews. For now, the 5th is a small team, largely drawn from the 1st and deeply attached to the UH-1N.

"For about a decade, this is the only aircraft that I've known and operated," said Master Sgt. John Griggs, senior enlisted leader of the 5th Helicopter Squadron. "So it's a little bittersweet to move from something I have such a tenure with, and such a legacy across all the conflicts. … It's very humbling to be able to see what this helicopter has done for the Air Force, and to be a part of transitioning to a newer airframe, to uphold the same mission."

Iconic but Aging

The Huey gained iconic status during the Vietnam War and has been at Andrews since 1971, when the first helicopter arrived. Schmautz noted that the 1st Helicopter Squadron has traced the maintenance records of three of its 26 Hueys directly back to Vietnam.

Over the years, the Huey has received some updates. However, the Air Force never changed the helicopter's distinctive two-rotor-blade design — the source of its famed noise — unlike the Marine Corps' upgraded four-blade UH-1Y Venom.

The interior remains largely old-school, featuring:

• Analog cockpit instruments
• Exposed wiring
• A relatively spartan seating area

The Air Force says the cabin can be modified to accommodate up to 13 people. On an Aug. 24 media flight, however, a few TV reporters with bulky cameras had to squeeze in "like a clown car," one pilot observed.

Safety Record

Despite a recent rash of precautionary landings over the past two months, Griggs, a flight engineer, said the Hueys are "as safe as they've ever been." Air Force statistics show major mishaps have declined over the past decade.

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