1st Helicopter Squadron earns award for 200,000 accident-free flying hours!

Mobility Forum, Jul/Aug 2001

On March 30, 2001 a special celebration was held to honor and pay tribute to the men and women of the lst Helicopter Squadron for their commitment and excellence. Among those attending the event were Brigadier General James A. Hawkins; Mr. Dean Borgman, President, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation; Mr. Gerald E. Daniels, President and CEO, Military Aircraft and Missile Systems Group, Boeing Aircraft Company; Mr. Terry Stinson, Chairman and CEO, Bell Helicopter TEXTRON; General Charles T. "Tony" Robertson, Jr., Commander-in-Chief, United States Transportation Command and Commander, Air Mobility Command; and the Honorable Richard B. Cheney, Vice President of the United States.

The Department of Defense rotary-wing record encompasses 44 years of flight operations utilizing six different helicopters. The accomplishment of the Ist Helicopter Squadron is a tribute to the dedication, professionalism and pride exhibited by generations of aircrew members, maintainers and support personnel.

The record set by the squadron began in 1957. The primary mission of the 1st Helicopter Squadron is to provide immediate airlift for the White House, Cabinet members, Congressional members and DoD officials as well as maintain maximum readiness to support national security and continuity of operations. Under the present command of Lt Col Tracy W. Colburn, the squadron is estimated to average more than 21 hours per day of flight time, or 5,200 hours per year.

Since 1955, over 25,000 DVs have been flown by the squadron, including: President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Chairman-- Joint Chiefs of Staff, numerous US Senators, members of the House of Representatives, and various foreign, military, and government officials.

Although the squadron's primary focus is to provide the needs of DVs, they have also flown over 600 medical evac missions since 1966.

The six different models which have been utilized in flight operations by the squadron include:

* CH-21 from 1955-1971 (Boeing-Vertol)

* H-19 from 1955-1967 (Sikorsky)

* CH-3E from 1970-1988 (Sikorsky)

* UH-13 from 1962-1967 (Bell)

* UH-1N from 1971 to present

*UH- IF from 1967-1971 (BeU)

* UH- IN from 1971 to present (Bell) "Twin Huey"

In 1955 the unit operated under the direction of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), was manned by 12 officers and 18 airmen and was equipped with two Piasecki/Boeing-Vertol CH-2 is and four Sikorsky H-19 aircraft. In 1957, officials decided that the President was also in need of these specialized services, and under the 1254th Air Transport Group, MATS established a new helicopter operation at Washington National Airport. July 12, 1957 was the squadron's inaugural flight, in which they provided services for the President of the United States. They flew in and landed on the White House lawn picking up President Eisenhower and members of his staff.

Reorganization provided the squadron with many changes included the addition of four CH-21 s and two UH-13Js in March 1962. The number of personnel assigned to the unit grew as well, bringing the total complement to 20 officers and 77 airmen. The following spring the unit received the first of many accolades - the Air Force Flying Safety Award for 10,000 Accident-- Free Flying Hours.

In February of 1967 the unit received their first Outstanding Unit Award, after the arrival of their first turbine-powered aircraft - the Bell UH-IF "Huey."

Over the years numerous changes continued to take place and the squadron continued their record of excellence, chalking up their fourth Flying Safety award in September 1975.

The 1980s ushered in a new era of record-breaking history, and personnel within the squadron jumped to 34 officers and 116 enlisted. Even though massive changes had taken place throughout the years, the squadron continued to maintain one of the safest and most professional flying operations in the world. On September 30, 1980, the unit surpassed the 100,000 accident-free flying hours mark, and in June 1983 they received the Military Airlift Command's 25-Year Flying Safety Award.

As the squadron entered the 1990s, they did so equipped with 10 UH-IN "Twin Huey" helicopters. During the first years of the decade, 1991, they once again were honored for their outstanding flying record and dedication to safety as they surpassed the 150,000 accident-free mark. As a testament to the squadron's ability and dedication to safety, they were awarded the Air Mobility Command Maintenance Effectiveness Award for six consecutive years.

Currently, the 1 st Helicopter Squadron is staffed with 45 officers and 140 enlisted personnel, who continue to carry on the unit's impeccable record. Their latest achievement - which also sets a new record for a military helicopter unit - of 200,000 accident-free flying hours is one that deserves White House recognition.

Photos provided by

Bobby Jones, Capital Flyer.