1966 UH-1H Iroquois
Throughout the Vietnam War, thousands of Hueys served as armed attack gunships or as troop carriers known as “slicks.” Today, this troop transporter returns to the air as an icon of Army aviation and a living tribute to the crews who flew under fire and the soldiers they carried.
Fast Facts
Service & Assignment
Performance & Features
Combat History
From 1967 to 1972, this UH-1H served with multiple U.S. Army Assault Helicopter Companies in Vietnam, including the 191st, 118th, and 173rd. Assigned to combat air assault and mobility operations, it carried soldiers into contested landing zones and sustained Army aviation missions across successive commands.
Combat Highlights
Served with the 173rd AHC (“Robin Hoods”), known for Medal of Honor recipient Sp4c. Gary Wetzel
Served with the 101st Assault Helicopter Battalion supporting the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of Hamburger Hill
Conducted command-and-control operations and insertions and extractions, along with special missions for the Task Force One Advisory Element while stationed at Marble Mountain Army Airfield in 1971
Combat Retirement
Retired from U.S. Army service 1976
Restoration Story
Meticulously restored to fully operational, flight-ready condition by Northwest Helicopters in Olympia, Washington, this UH-1H now flies as part of the Soaring by the Sea Foundation fleet. Acquired in June 2026, this Huey returns to the air to honor Army aviation and preserve Vietnam-era history in motion.
Restoration Team
- Northwest Helicopters, Olympia, WA
- Ongoing maintenance overseen by Soaring by the Sea Foundation and volunteers
Restoration Highlights
- Restored to airworthy condition with attention to Vietnam-era configuration and authenticity
- Wearing its original 173rd AHC colors
Modern Mission
Today, this Huey flies not into combat, but in service of remembrance and education. As one of the most recognizable aircraft of the Vietnam era, it connects veterans, families, and new generations to the legacy of Army aviation through an aircraft that defined a generation of service.
Mission in Motion
No longer deployed overseas, this aircraft now serves the public through:
Airshow appearances and flight demonstrations
Veteran recognition events and commemorative flyovers
Educational programs and youth aviation engagement
A Story That Soars
Icon of Vietnam-era Army air mobility
Served in the Vietnam War from 1967-1972
Tribute to the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company “Robin Hoods”
Built to Serve. Rebuilt to Inspire.
This Catalina embodies the heart of our mission. Whether circling above a memorial, flying a student for the first time, or standing tall on the flight line, it keeps the story of service airborne.
Whether you're hands-on or high-altitude, there’s a place for you in the Soaring by the Sea Foundation mission.