The reason Army helicopters are named after native tribes will make you smile

www.wearethemighty.com ^ | Dec. 03, 2017 08:02PM EST | Harold C. Hutchison

[Midwesterner53]

“Huey” comes from Vietnam and Hollywood. The offfical name is UH1 Iroquois and that’s how we learned it in the Army. I’m glad to see it’s official name used for a change.

[The Great RJ]

The US Navy also used the names of Indian tribes for smaller ships. However, I think the Navy should honor war chiefs by naming warships after them. Imagine USS Crazy Horse

[dakine]

Few years back, DOD had me go to a FOB while in AFGH. The trip was on a full Chinook. About 30 minutes into the flight the two side gunners opened up with their .50 cal. I was seated in the front so I was unable to see if the guy laying in the back opened up with his .50 cal. They dropped me off while later with engines running. Never found out why they fired.. Figured it was just practice...

[Retain Mike]

As they say down south, “goddamnyankee”.

[Ancesthntr]

“Most impressively, 25 Native Americans have received the Medal of Honor for heroism.”

---

That is a truly impressive statistic (which, of course, does no justice to the men who earned the CMH), and I think that there is likely no ethnic group that even comes close as a percentage of either the population or of the armed forces. Grateful and appreciative thanks are due to those men, both dead and alive. Not being a Native American, and thus not knowing for sure, I believe that they would be honored to be called courageous warriors.

[depressed in 06]

I always liked the Chinook, or, at least, its nickname.

[Ancesthntr]

“Still waiting for the Hekawi. It’ll be a very small chopper. Maybe a one man gyrocopter.”

---

It’ll have a follow-on model called the “Fukawi,” which will constantly get lost due to GPS malfunctions. However, their crews will proudly boast that “We’re the Fukawi!” and then repeat it quickly and in a questioning tone. :>)

[Red Badger]

https://www.facebook.com/Crazyhorse-2-23-Infantry-359623217420718/

[moovova]

“Most impressively, 25 Native Americans have received the Medal of Honor for heroism.”

Wow.

[doorgunner69]

Well, the swabbies are, “different” in who their heros are?

j/k

[Glenmore]

IIRC Huey is just as bastardization of the aircraft designation “UH-1”

[doorgunner69]

“Slick” sided UH-1 as opposed to the gunships with a lot of armament hanging off the sides.

[doorgunner69]

Mentioned before how some of us were amazed how many native Americans were in our 1965 boot camp platoon. Mostly Navajo.

[jmacusa]

Marines?

[pfflier]

UH-1 Iroquois Is the given name for the Huey.

It was first designated HU-1 hence branded "Huey" by the troops.

[Publius]

In other words, the Army's helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft bear names that reflect fierce and courageous warriors who also have fought well as part of the United States Army.

They were damn good fighters, and there is nothing wrong in recognizing that.

[TalBlack]

“...and I think that there is likely no ethnic group that even comes close as a percentage ...”

First thing that popped into my head too.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Somebody finally got it!

They are both descendants from the long-lost Wheretheheckawi tribe. They predate GPS by many moons. Their smoke signals often malfunctioned, though.

[laplata]

Right. You know better than most, doorgunner69.

I wish I had a dollar for every mile I rode in one.

[laplata]

That sight in the mirror would pucker anybody. LOL