HU-1 Activity Report for 1950

Summary

" During the period covered by this report, Helicopter Squadron One (HU-1) has expanded it's personnel and it's operations far beyond any previous six month period since it's commissioning. On July 1, 1950 the squadron consisted of nineteen (19) officers, one hundred eighty two (182) men and thirteen (13) helicopters; our Detachments then numbered two (2). On December 31, 1950 the squadron consisted of thirty four (34) officers, two hundred eighty two (282) men and fourteen (14) helicopters; our Detachments numbered thirteen (13). During the months of July and August, Detachments were formed at an unprecented rate and were sent to help man the ships that were required for the support of the United Nations action in Korea and for the protection of the Island of Formosa. At the end of this mass exodus Westward, the officers remaining in the squadron were made up of the Commanding Officer, the Maintenance Officer (non-pilot) and the Electronics Officer(non-pilot). The steward in the pilots' Ready Room was left to drink the coffee in solitude."

In this period 51 rescues were made including 48 ROK military and civilians. One HO3S helicopter was shot down and crashed without loss of life.

Historical Report Narrative
JANUARY - JUNE 1950

From East to West, North to South, Rotory Wing Aircraft from the Pacific Fleets only Helicopter Squadron continues to render Utility Services of varied natures to Ships and Stations from the Pacific coast to the Orient, and from the Equator to Point Barrow on top of the world. Serving both Civilians and Military Personnel as the occasion demands, Helicopter Squadron One (HU-1) leave the impression of a giant octopus with its numerous far reaching arms, but unlike the octopus its aim is to assist and not destroy.

Interest in the Helicopter has inreased considerably during the period covered by this report with many requests for demonstrations, static displays, and the assisting in the filming of movies of a military nature. Probably the most unique service was rendered during the months of March and April, over the sandy deserts of the Imperial Valley, when Pilots of HU-1 maneuvered their Helicopters over predetermined positions at altitudes up to 10,000 feet and herd little or no ground speed while JD and F7F type Aircraft using the lead Helicopter as a target, made passes, flying as close as a 100’ abeam of the Helicopterbefore ejecting a cockpit seat and a dummy of the type being experimented on for high speed and high altitude bail outs from jet aircraft. After the seat has been ejected the Helicopters working in pairs go into auto-rotation, desending abeam the seats and dummies while cameramen in the Helicopters grind away; taking film that will be used both for further research and for historical purposes.

HU-1, Whidbey Island Detachment moved as a unit to Umiat, Alaska, to assist the U.S. Geological Oil Survey. Helicopters of the unit were used extensively by the survey group, but were forcedto return to Whidbey Island due to the altitude and poor flying conditions encountered in that area.

HU-1, Barbers Point Detachment continues to serve the Hawaiian area in an outstanding fashion with a pilot average of 50 hours per month being maintained - the majority of the time being flown for photographic and utility services.

An HO3S helicopter flying from the U.S.S. NORTON SOUND during project research, had the distinction of being the first of this type of aircraft to fly over Christmas Island, a small atoll near the Equator, south of the Hawaiian Islands.This would not be too novel except for the experience witnessed by the pilot and crewman. Upon first flying over London, main island on the atoll, no signs of life was visible. Suddenly a swarm of natives lined the shoreline waving happily. It was later learned thatthe local populace had first believed the strange craft to be of USSR origin and taken cover in fear. After seeing "U.S. Navy " printed across the fuselage, everything once again was serene.

Helicopters, like Jets, are now serving us in war for the first time; the full military value of the Helicopter in combat will no doubt be derermined with its use not only as air - sea rescue by its deployment and worth for liason with front lines, photographic, intelligence work, reconnaissanes, and spotting is sure to be proven.

signed : E. B. Noble, CDR, USN
Commanding Officer

Historical Report Narrative
JULY - DECEMBER 1950

The policy on assignment of helicopters is: on CV's, BB's, CA's and CL's, one (l) helicopter and two (2) pilots, usually one (1) off- icer and one (l) Aviation Pilot, if available. On the unique type of ships, ie: USS BURTON ISLAND (AGB-1) and the Japanese LST, two (2) helicopters and three (3) pilots. The land-based detachments normally consist of one (l) helicopter and two (2) pilots. The number of maintenance personnel assigned to a detachment varies with the mission of that particular detachment. However, the normal crew consists of five (5) men.

To help alleviate the shortage of officers in the Navy, the Bureau of Naval Personnel closed General Line School located at Newport, Rhode Island, This action greatly aided this squadron in that seven experienced helicopter pilots who had been ordered to Line School rec- eived orders to report here for duty. These pilots plus other pilots ordered here from training in Helicopter Squadron TWO (HU-2) at Lake- hurst, New Jersey, and helicopter pilots recalled to active duty en- abled the squadron once again to function along more normal lines.

The present conflict has demonstrated the great versatility of the helicopter. This versatility has been recognized by CNO by the issu- ance of a change in the missions of helicopter squadrons. This change increases the number of primary missions assigned to the helicopter.

The value of the helicopter has been definitely accepted by those in command of our Fleets and troops ashore as evidenced by the types of assignments given to, the helicopter and the results achieved by the helicopter while on these assignments.
To date, the personnel in this squadron have received ten (10) recommendations for awards; eight (8) Air Medals and two (2) Distinguished Flying Crosses. In addition to these awards, nineteen (19) pilots and crewmen have been awarded the Sikorsky "Winged S" Rescue Awards.

In addition to the commonly accepted missions of the helicopter, ie; Plane Guard, Photographic Flights, Air Spotting, for ship and shore bombardment. Search and Rescue, Utility, etc., it has been found that the helicopter becomes of great value when used for mine re- connaissance, evacuation of the wounded and evacuation of troops whether or not they are behind enemy lines.

Future operations for the helicopter might well include:

a. Ambulance duty
(1) Operations from hospital ships

b. Anti-Submarine search
(1) Identification.
(2) Localization and attack (the first torpedo was launched from a helicopter in the summer of 1950)

c. Guided missile experimental firing searches.

d. Cloud seeding, under Government control.

e. Forest fire reconnaisance (preventative and supervision in case of actual fires).

f. Emergency traffic control of highways.

g. Border Patrol.

h. Wild life surveys.

i. Flood reconnaisance.

j. Delivery of parts from supply ships.12

k. Erosion control of Government areas by seeding. .

The Detachments representing Helicopter Squadron ONE In the various parts of the Pacific have lived up to expectations.

• Detachment ONE, Officer-in-Charge, LT S.D. CARLETON, USN, while aboard the USS BURTON ISLAND flew Ice Reconnaissance for that ship. Detachment ONE also supported Petroleum research Operations at Point Barrow, Alaska. The helicopter proved very useful in transporting geologists to and from their work. During the period covered by this report, Detachment ONE was responsible for rescueing two (2) people; one (l) man who was lost from one of the rigs, the other was a geolo- gist who had been injured in a rock slide and needed medical attention. On 25 June. 1950, Lieutenant CARLTON crashed on take off at Kanayut Lake, in HO3S-1, Bureau Number 123122. The aircraft sank within one (l) minute of impact. One (l) passenger drowned in attempting to swim to the beach. Because of the pressing need for helicopters and pilots elsewhere, Detachment ONE was disestablished on 3 October 1950.

Detachment TWO, Officer-in-Charge, LT F.E. MATTEWSON, USN, has given valuable service to the Hawaiian Area and also to the various detachments which stop over at Pearl on their way East or West. The service to the detachments consists of supply of spare parts, maint- enance of their helicopters, etc. Detachment TWO'S service to the Hawaiian Area consisted of:

a, Administrative flights as requested by Commander Fleet Air Hawaii.

b. Search for missing aircraft as requested by Fleet All Weather Training Unit, Pacific Fleet.

c. Photo coverage of mine laying exercise as requested by Com- mander Submarine Squadron ONE Operations.

d. Photo coverage of Naval Ammunition Depot, West Lock, as re- quested by Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Barbers Point.

e. Photo coverage of torpedo firing exercises as requested by Commander Submarine Squadron ONE Operations.

f. Administrative flights as requested by the commanding officers of the various ships based at Pearl Harbor and by the Commanding Off- icer of Naval Air Station, Barbers Point.

g. Searches for lost mines.

h. Television flights for Fox-Movietone News, as requested by District PIO and approved by Commander in Chief, Pacific Pleet.

i. Mortar observation flights for the Marines.

In between their routine flights, Detachment TWO found time to rescue three (3) people; two (2) of them were pilots that were forced to abandon their aircraft at sea. Five (5) marlne HO3S-l aircraft from the USS LEYTE (CV-32) were based ashore with Detachment TWO from 23 September to 27 September and the Detachment's facilities were placed at their disposal.

Recognizing that no positive means for recovering an injured man from the water had been developed and. feeling that a practical method should be employed, Detachment TWO has successfully tested and eval- uated a device that permits such a recovery without having to carry an extra hoist operator. By taking a PBY mooring pennant shackle, assembly number 28H-1035, and making a slight modification, it was found that the shackle could, be secured to the hoist cable in a matter of seconds by the operator. It was given a static load test of 600 pounds without slippage. Numerous tests were made, both on the ground and In the air, and, as a result of these tests, It was determined that by using this device, a simple and practical water recovery of a completely helpless Individual can be effected.

During the period covered by this report. Detachment TWO flew 595 flights and logged 493 hours. In the operation of helicopters, the number of flights often exceeds the number of hours flown because of the nature of helicopter operations.

Detachment Number SEVEN, Offlcer-in-Charge,LTJG Charles JONES, USN, has bounced around from one ship to another for most of their tour In the Western Pacific; but, they finally hit the jackpot. They participated In the Inchon Invasion with Commander SEVENTH Fleet dur- ing the last part of September. They operated both from the USS ROCHESTER, And the Kimpo Air Strip.

On 25 September 1950. they were ordered to work for the U.S. Marines under General SMITH and General CUSHMAN as a special rescue unit and for the evacuation of the critically wounded from the front lines.

ln the late afternoon of 25 September 1950, LTJG JONES was on a resoue mission near Sabiwon, North Korea, to pick up a downed flier who had taken refuge on a hllltop. The pilot had been forced to land behind enemy lines and was receiving the direct attention of the North Koreans. While making his approach to the pilot, the North Koreans opened fire on JONES and he was driven away temporarily; he returned for a second try, however, but the downed flyer refused to take the . sling and waved JONES away. The North Koreans opened fire again on the helicopter, hitting the gas tank and. JONES was forced, to head back toward our lines, JONES and his crewman were forced to land In the Han river. He and his crewman were picked up by moonlight by a Marine Helicopter.

On 14 December 1950, While aboard LST Q-007, Detachment SEVEN located UN Troops who were trapped by the enemy in the vicinity of Chaugyn, North Korea. Twenty-three (23) ROK soldiers were rescued and flown to the Q-007 anchored about ten (10) miles from the beach, Five (5) more ROK soldiers and twenty (20) dependents were also safely moved to a friendly beach for further evacuation by fishing boats. During this operation, the helicopter was attacked by three (3) enemy MIG-15 Jet aircraft with no damage Inflicted.

Through personal letters and official reports, it has been established that HU-I's Detachments have rescued no less than fifty-eight (58) people during this reporting period. When all the Detachments are finally heard from officially, however, the total number rescued will, no doubt, be much greater.

While our Detachments are serving the Fleet in their unique way, the parent squadron is busy training its pilots and mechanlcs for the time when they will be called upon. During the period covered by this report, the parent squadron has made 3562 fllghts and flown 2310,8 hours. Of the twenty (20) pilots remaining In the parent squadron, eleven (ll) are qualified Gun Spotters, nineteen (19) are fully qualified for shlpboard duty. In the near future, 100% of the pilots will be qualified gnn spotters.

This squadron hopes to receive new helicoptors (HUP’s) in late spring or early summer. To be able to cope with the maintenance problems that will doubtlessly arise upon receipt of these new aircraft, this squadron has sent some of its maintenance personnel to Piasecki Maintenance School in Morton, Pennsylvania, for instruction In maintenance.

On 8 December 1950, the reins of command passed from the capable hands of Commander Easton. B. NOBLE, 0070377/1310, USN to hls Executive Officer, lieutenant Commander Dudley S. BILLETT Jr., 0083985/1310, USN. To assist Lieutenant Commander BILLETT in his duties as Commandlng Officer, Lieutenant Commander Edwin S. CONANT, 0084084/1310, USN, became Executive Officer.