Bell UH-1B-BF Huey

The UH-1 B Iroquois, manufactured by Bell Helicopter, was introduced for Navy use in the early 1960s as a utility helicopter for SAR (Search and Rescue), logistics, liaison, gunship support, and SEAL team insertion and extraction.

The Huey has a typical crew of 2 pilots and 1 or 2 door gunners, and can carry up to 6–8 troops or rescue gear. It is powered by a Lycoming T53-L-5 turboshaft (~960 shp) and features 2-blade main and tail rotors. When configured as a gunship, the UH-1 could support twin M60 machine guns, miniguns, and rocket pods (2.75-inch folding-fin rockets).

The Navy employs the UH-1B for various purposes, including logistics, SAR, liaison, and shore-based transport, particularly in riverine and coastal operations in Vietnam. It was frequently utilized to support SEAL teams and Riverine operations, which typically operated from riverine bases and sometimes off smaller ships or floating platforms in the shallow waterways of Vietnam. The Navy also utilized UH-1Bs in test programs, including weapons and sensor trials, often leading to improvements adopted across services.

Though the U.S. Army was the primary operator, the U.S. Navy's UH-1Bs played crucial roles in Task Forces 116 and 117, which were responsible for Operation Game Warden and Mobile Riverine Force operations.