Thailand retires Army UH-1H Huey helicopter after 52 years in service

 

Three UH-1H Huey helicopers represented the RTA's entire UH-1H fleet during retirement ceremonies on 7 October 2020. Photo c/o AAG_Th Thai Defense Page.

The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has retired its fleet of Bell UH-1H Huey utility helicopters after 52 years of operation, with ceremonies held on 7 October 2020.

The aircraft type flew its last mission, with 3 helicopters returning from its deployment in Pattani province, to its home in Fort Somdet Prasinakharinthara in Lopburi province on 29 September 2020.

The UH-1 Huey is known as the Hor Tor 1 (H.T.1)  is RTA service, and has been in operation with the RTA since 1968 after the US handed over several units and formed the 1st Air Mobile Company, which is now known as the 1st Aviaition “Hummingbird” Battalion.

More than 200 UH-1 helicopters served the RTA, many of which were already retired and disposed off with the help of the US Defense Logistics Agency.

The UH-1H Huey has been replaced by various military helicopters in the RTA, including the Airbus UH-72A Lakota, Airbus H145, AgustaWestland AW139 and AW149, Mil Mi-17V5, Bell 212, and Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk.

According to Dutch aviation media Scramble Magazine, the Royal Thai Air Force is still operating some Bell UH-1H Huey helicopters although they might follow the RTA’s footsteps and start retiring the type soon.


[1] Royal Thai Army Aviation Centre
[2] AAG_Th Thai Defense Page
[3] Scramble Magazine