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1st Helicopter Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Bell UH-1N Twin Huey of the 1st Helicopter Squadron flying over Washington DC[note 1] | |
| Active | 1944–1945; 1969–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | HelicopterAirlift |
| Part of | Air Force District of Washington |
| Garrison/HQ | Andrews Air Force Base |
| Mottos | First and Foremost[1] |
| Engagements | China Burma India Theater |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2] |
| Insignia | |
| 1st Helicopter Squadron emblem[note 2][2] |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Helicopter | UH-1N |
The1st Helicopter Squadron is aUnited States Air Force unit based atJoint Base Andrews,Maryland reporting to the316th Operations Group, administratively controlled byAir Force District of Washington.
The1st Helicopter Squadron's primary mission is to be prepared to evacuate high-ranking personnel from the Capital area in the event of a national emergency.[3] It also supportsWashington D.C. area airlift for high-rankingExecutive Branch, dignitaries, military leaders and other VIPs. The squadron also supportssearch and rescue missions.[3]
The squadron was first activated in February 1944 as the1st Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron and equipped with a mix of P-51fighter and F-6reconnaissance Mustangs. It trained for operations withThird Air Force and trained at theArmy Air Force School of Applied Tactics. Moved to India, September–November 1944 assigned toTenth Air Force. Combat in CBI, 14 February-9 May 1945. After May 1945 in training. Returned to the US during October— November 1945.
The 1st flew combat missions in theChina Burma India Theater from 14 February to 9 May 1945 as a fighter unit.[2]
The squadron was consolidated with the1st Helicopter Squadron in September 1985.[2]
The Air Force's use of helicopters to transport 'distinguished persons' in the Capital area go back to August 1955, whenMilitary Air Transport Service organized the1401st Helicopter Flight atAndrews Air Force Base, Maryland.[3] In July 1957, a helicopter from the 1401st landed on the lawn of theWhite House to transportPresident Eisenhower, marking the unit's first presidential airlift flight.[3] In October 1957, the flight was transferred toHeadquarters Command, which required renumbering it as the1001st Helicopter Flight.[note 3] The flight moved toBolling Air Force Base in 1963. Expanding demands for helicopter airlift resulted in the flight expanding to the 1001st Helicopter Squadron.[4] On 7 September 1968 the 1001st returned its operations to Andrews.[5]
The squadron received the Air Force's flying safety award in 1963. In 1966, it dropped supplies to snowbound civilians following a blizzard.[3]
In 1969 Headquarters Command replaced the 1001st, which was aMAJCON (four-digit) unit and could not continue its history, with a unit controlled byHeadquarters, USAF, which could continue its history.[6] The conversion was one of unit category and number only and the new squadron would continue the mission and assume the manning and resources of the discontinuing 1001st. The new squadron was entitled to all the awards earned by the 1001st, but not its lineage.[7][note 4]
Since activation in 1969, the1st Helicopter Squadron has provided localairlift for the Executive Department, high-ranking dignitaries, and distinguished visitors, as well as support for emergency evacuation of key government officials,search and rescue, and emergency medical evacuation.[2] The squadron maintains a helicopter on alert for short notice mission assignments.[3]
In January 1983Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street bridge during a blizzard. The squadron participated in the following relief efforts despite the unfavourable weather conditions at the time.[3]
Currently the squadron operatesBell UH-1N Twin Huey helicopters acquired in the early 1970s.[3]Air Force Space Command also operates the UH-1N and has proposed the Common Vertical Lift Support Platform (CVLSP) program to seek a replacement to their UH-1Ns.[8] On June 7, 2022, it was announced that Joint Base Andrews will be the fourth base to the host the newBoeing MH-139 Grey Wolf which replaces the UH-1N.[9]
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
Media related to1st Helicopter Squadron (United States Air Force) at Wikimedia Commons
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