SIKORSKY HUS (UH-34) "SEA HORSE"

H - HELICOPTER
U – UTILITY
S - SIKORSKY

The UH-34 first flew on 8 March 1954. The HUS/UH-34 entered Marine units in 1957. This aircraft is best known for its service in Vietnam where at least eight crew members earned the Navy Cross. 

Beginning with operation SHUFLY which ran from April 1962 through December 1964 the HUS was the main assault helicopter for the Marine Corps, as well as carrying out large numbers of RVN operations. 

A Marine HUS lifted Alan Shepherd Jr. out of the ocean on 3 May 1961 after completion of the Mercury 3 space flight; the first US manned sub-orbital flight. The HUS also participated in the Cuban Missile crisis, supporting disaster relief and rescues in the Pacific Northwest, Haiti, Honduras and Japan.

PIASEKI HUP "RETRIEVER"

H - HELICOPTER
U - UTILITY
P - PIASEKI

Originally designed to meet the requirements for the US Navy for shipboard use to include carrier plane guard duty, rescue, observation, inter-ship, and ship to shore utility missions.  The HUP was small enough to fit on a carrier elevator without folding its rotors.  The HUP could carry up to six people or three stretchers. The last HUP was delivered in 1954.  The Marine Corps acquired 13 HUPs.  This helicopter served at MCAS El Toro from 1962 to 1972.

BELL AH-1J "SEA COBRA"

A - ATTACK
H - HELICOPTER
1 - FIRST MODEL
J - 10TH MODIFICATION

After borrowing 38 single engine AH-1Gs from the Army during the Vietnam War the USMC ordered  attack helicopters of their own.   The combat experience learned during this period lead to the development of an AH-1J “Sea Cobra.”  The first AH-1Js had a single engine and a rotor brake system to operate on ships.  Later  models came equipped with two engines.  HMA-269 was the first to receive the Sea Cobra in April 1971. The AH-1J served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm with Attack Helicopter Squadrons HMA-773 and HMA-775.