What did a crew chief on a Huey do?

This person is responsible for the overall well-being of the helicopter and its crew, particularly the operations necessary in the rear of the helicopter. A helicopter crew chief helps the pilot with in-flight instruction and safety measures, alerts the pilot to any obstacles not visible from the pilot’s point of view.

What rank were Huey pilots in Vietnam?

Hugh Clowers Thompson Jr.
Years of service	1961–1964 (United States Navy) 1966–1983 (United States Army)
Rank	Major
Unit	Naval Mobile Construction Battalions 2nd Battalion, 123rd Aviation Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Tet Counteroffensive Mỹ Lai Massacre

Who was the most decorated helicopter pilot in Vietnam?

Patrick Henry Brady (born October 1, 1936), is a retired United States Army major general. While serving as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, he received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration for valor.

What rank are helicopter crew chiefs?

An Army crew chief typically holds the rank of specialist, with an E-5 pay grade. In addition to technical knowledge, a crew chief must have a strong work ethic and outstanding leadership skills. Depending on the type of helicopter, a crew chief may accompany the pilot and crew in flight.

What did a helicopter crew chief do in Vietnam?

Hanley’s crew was responsible for inserting infantry troops into forward positions. The infantrymen were to perform command patrol operations in unsecure areas – basically, they were seek-out-and-destroy missions.

How old was the average helicopter pilot in Vietnam?

Guts and Gumption: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Wore Their Hearts on Their Helmets. Like the soldiers who fought in World War II, most of the men and women who served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War in the ’60s and ’70s were remarkably young, between the ages of 18 and 25.

How many helicopter pilots were killed in the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) estimates that over 100,000 helicopter pilots and crew members served during the Vietnam War. Over 4,800 helicopter pilots and crew members were killed in action, and more than 300 are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

What Mos is helicopter crew chief?

MOS 6173, Helicopter Crew Chief, CH-53.

How many Huey helicopters were shot down in Vietnam?

According to the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, a total of 11,846 helicopters were shot down or crashed during the war, resulting in nearly 5,000 American pilots and crew killed. Of those servicepeople, 2,382 were killed while serving aboard UH-1 Iroquois, better known as the ubiquitous “Huey.”

What was a crew chief on a helicopter in Vietnam?

As crew chief, he was responsible for loading, defending, and repairing the aircraft. Takeoff weight was extremely critical with helicopters. An overload of as little as a few hundred pounds could cause a crash. The pilot had to have an absolutely accurate weight every time.