The Single Most Important Thing A Helicopter Ever Did

At the height of the Vietnam War, the Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter—better known as a Huey flew over the jungles of Laos to the US radar base, Lima Site 85.

On the way, however, the crew sees a quartet of North Vietnamese Antonov An-2 biplanes, unleashing bombs on the hidden base. The crew knew that the destruction of Lima Site 85’s radar would be a severe blow to US operations. Amidst the chaos, an idea strikes Huey’s mechanic- tucked among the supplies are several AK-47 assault rifles.

Bell UH-1 Iroquois

The Bell UH-1 Iroquois was first developed in the 1950s fulfilling the demand of the US Army for a new medical evacuation and utility helicopter. Its Lycoming T53 single turboshaft engine became a highly effective alternative to more common piston-based engines because of its reliability and higher power-to-weight ratio.

As the conflict in Southeast Asia escalated, the Huey found itself in several missions, such as search and rescue operations, transportation of troops and supplies, aeromedical evacuations, and general support. Some were even fitted with guns and rockets to engage in combat.

Not Your Ordinary Huey

The Huey flown by pilot Ted Moore and flight mechanic Glen Woods as they headed out on January 122, 1968 is not your typical Huey. The Huey they flew went on its civilian designation of Bell 205.

They were employed by Air America, a civilian airline owned and operated by the CIA, and conducted covert operations during the Vietnam War. They were headed for a secret base on top of a mountain, known as Lima Site 85 or Channel 97. The area was perfectly positioned to provide accurate targeting for Operation Rolling Thunder, an intensive aerial bombing campaign by the Americans and South Vietnamese against their North Vietnamese enemy. It is believed that the site was responsible for the guidance of 55% of all aerial attacks against North Vietnam.

The area was also used to train friendly forces throughout the region and Moore and Woods’ aircraft was used to supply an assist operation apart from classified CIA missions.

Trouble Brewing Ahead

In early 1968, the North Vietnamese not only learned about the base’s existence but also learned about its location and significance. Thus, they started planning a bombing raid. They took advantage of the primitive Antonov An-2’s ability to fly low and slow to approach the base undetected.

Reaching the Lima site, four An-2s split into pairs one started to attack while the other pair circled above. The personnel in the Lima Site had no idea the sudden bombing raid completely caught them off guard.

In Defense

On the base, a Thai mercenary grabbed his AK-47 and heroically attempted the site single-handed, frantically pumping rounds at them. Fortunately, his efforts weren’t in vain. He kept firing until one of the An-2s crashed on the mountain ridge. The three remaining North Vietnamese planes decided to abort the mission.

Approaching the base to deliver supplies, pilot Ted Moore and flight mechanic Glen Woods knew something was amiss. Without wasting a moment, Woods got one of the assault rifles loading up as Moore chased the An-2s. Fortunately for both of them, the biplanes had limited rearward visibility, meaning they could sneak up from behind without the pilots noticing them.

Woods then started shooting. The pair managed to shoot down another An-2 as the remaining two biplanes raced back to base in North Vietnam. Moore and Woods then went to complete their delivery.

A Unique Score

Their unique score was widely known as the first instance in history wherein a helicopter shot down a fixed-wing plane and the CIA’s first recorded air-to-air victory. The defense of the two airmen as well as the Thai mercenary who shot down the other An-2 ensured there was minimal damage to the bae, with its radar system remaining intact.

However, the US ignored the necessity to increase the base’s defenses. Just a mere two months later known to be the Battle of Lima Site 85, the North Vietnamese came back for revenge, and the elimination of an important asset of the US represented a significant victory for North Vietnam.