The Helicopter War

The advent of the helicopter in the early 20th century had a profound impact on transportation, communication, and myriad other areas of human endeavor. Warfare also experienced an important transformation at the operational and tactical levels as a result of rotary wing technology, and has perhaps had an equally important influence on the development of the helicopter. Helicopters afforded rapid transportation of fighting forces on the battlefield, and have also evolved to embrace a much larger role as an efficient and deadly weapons platform, but also serve vital support roles in medical evacuation, logistical operations, search and rescue operations, and in many other uses. In many ways, the evolution of the military helicopter mirrors the rapid changes of American society while still reflecting Americans' faith in technology and efficiency.

The United States first employed helicopters in warfare during the Second World War. When downed American bombers in Burma could not be reached by the vaunted American glider forces, helicopters were called in and successfully extracted the flight crews. Recognizing the immense potential of the helicopter, military planners focused on developing a rotary wing force to buttress the American arsenal. The Korean War witnessed a much wider usage of helicopters, most famously with the H-13 and its role in the medical evacuation of wounded personnel to field hospitals, but in minor troop insertions and in a limited reconnaissance role, as well.

During the Vietnam War, the United States relied on the helicopter as never before. The helicopter's role in combat expanded enormously in this conflict as thousands of "choppers" rapidly transported personnel throughout the war zone. Heavily armed helicopters offered a fearsome component to ground operations as close air support. Mobility and firepower would be the keys for American operations in Vietnam, and the helicopter provided an abundance of both. But the role of the helicopter in support activities in the Vietnam War must not be overlooked, as thousands of missions were flown to resupply and reinforce troops on the ground, to evacuate American and South Vietnamese wounded, and to offer countless other services in pursuance of the war effort. The UH-1 "Huey" is the ubiquitous symbol of the American war in Vietnam. Indeed, the Vietnam War was the Helicopter War.