Climatic Test
Looking Back / By Mark Albertson: February 1963 – A U.S. Army YUH-1D Iroquois has completed the Air Force phase of its adverse weather testing program and has been turned over to the Army for more climatic torture. In successive periods, the YUH-1D endured climatic testing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The aircraft has drawn favorable reports after testing in temperatures that ranged from 65 degrees below zero to 125 above. The Iroquois “D” model has since been turned over to the Army in Alaska for further testing. Army...
Learn MoreWidespread Debuts
Looking Back / Army Aviation, January 1956: FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Tomorrow’s helicopter is on display today at Bell Aircraft Corporation’s Fort Worth plant. Labelled as the Bell XH-40, is a prototype that emerged the winner of the Army’s utility helicopter design competition. Bell’s single-rotor, turbine-powered craft is capable of matching the climbing performance of some World War II fighters, together with the get up and go of many of today’s light airplanes. YH-16 A detailed, full-scale mock-up model of the radically different military helicopter was unveiled late in November, more than three months ahead of schedule, for a going-over by a seven-man...
Learn MoreAnytime, Anywhere!
Looking Back / Army Aviation, January 1956: Aerial ferrying of H-21 assault helicopters by U.S.A.F. Globemaster transports will provide a highly mobile striking force . . . The aerial ferrying of H-21 assault helicopters by giant Globemaster transports is under study as a means of sending a highly mobile striking force to virtually any part of the world within hours instead of days, it was revealed by Major General Chester E. McCarty, Commander of the 18th Air Force, U.S.A.F. C-124 Globemaster swallowing a Piasecki H-21 helicopter Tests by the 516th Troop Carrier Group at Sewart Air Force Base, Tennessee,[1] with a...
Learn MoreReview of World-Wide Accidents
Looking Back / By Mark Albertson: From the editor: The entry below is from “Accidents,” a column which appeared in the pre-Army Aviation publication, The Army Aviator, Vol. 3, No. 6, page 14, June 1954, for those readers who would care indulge the Army Aviation archives. Type and Model: H-13E Total Flying Time: Unknown Cost: $31,943.00 This Model: 161:00 Injuries: Temp. Total (2) At approximately 1115 hours on 9 March 1954, an H-13E was flying on an official operational mission near Yangyang, Korea. After making a high reconnaissance of a hill top area, the pilot brought the helicopter to a hover above...
Learn MoreEssence of Overlord
Looking Back / By Mark Albertson: Army Aviation magazine cannot forget that June 6 marks another anniversary of Operation: OVERLORD, June 6, 1944. Elements of the 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One), as they disembark from an LCVP onto to Fox Green section of Omaha Beach, defended by the German 352nd Division. During the opening phases of the assault, two-thirds of Company E had become casualties. On a front upwards of sixty miles wide, 156,000 Allied troops dropped by parachute, crash-landed by glider or assaulted five beaches on the Normandy coastline for the invasion of northwest Europe. Sixteen days later,...
Learn MoreNew Division – 1955
The Army Aviation Division, OAC of S. G-3, Operations was established on 1 February 1955. Brigadier General Hamilton H. Howze was announced as Chief of the new Division that formally replaces the Army Aviation Branch, O&T Division. BG Hamilton H. Howze The new Division, acting under the general direction of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, is the General Staff Agency charged with performing all staff work related to the discharge of the functions and responsibilities assigned to the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, as they relate to Army Aviation. Also assigned to duty with the new Division are Col....
Learn MoreArmy Aviation – 1954
Army Aviation is an unofficial, all-component publication financially and editorially supported by voluntary subscriber-correspondents. It is mailed monthly to Army Aviators in the National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, and active service & to the friends of the Army Aviation. No implication must be made that “Army Aviation” is an authorized Army publication. The views and opinions expressed in the publication are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army. News items are earnestly solicited from all readers & should be mailed to: Army Aviator Newsletter,[1] 726 Eleventh Avenue, New York, 19, New York. Army Aviation Magazine, 1954 Correspondents are...
Learn MoreAward of the Medal of Honor – 1862
By direction of the President, under the Joint Resolution of Congress approved 12 July 1862 (amended by act of 3 March 1863, act of 9 July 1918, and act of 25 July 1963), the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty is awarded by the Department of the Army in the name of Congress to: SPC Gary G. Wetzel Specialist Four Gary G. Wetzel, RA16860289 (then Private First Class), United States Army, 173rd Assault Helicopter Company, who distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk...
Learn More1956: Memorandum for Members of the Armed Forces Policy Council
Looking Back / By Mark Albertson: “Persistent and intensifying differences among the armed Services over their respective roles and missions, particularly those pertaining to development and operation of guided missiles, impelled Secretary of Defense Wilson[2] to issue on 26 November 1956 a memorandum entitled ‘Clarification of Roles and Missions to Improve the Effectiveness of Operation of the Department of Defense.’”[3] EDITOR’S NOTE: The above preface to the ensuing Memorandum is indicative of not only the changes then ongoing in the American defense establishment, but an understanding of the rising quality of the Soviet competitor and, the Army’s attempt to acclimate itself...
Learn MoreWanted for Historical Research
The Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog, used by the U.S. armed forces, as well as the armed forces of 19 other countries.
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