Canadian Warplanes 7: Bell CH-118 Iroquois helicopter

Bell CH-118 Iroquois

(Canadian Forces Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Bell CH-118 Iroquois Helicopter (Serial No. 118103), ca 1969.

The Bell UH-1 Iroquois (nicknamed "Huey") is a utility military helicopter powered by a single turboshaft engine, with two-bladed main and tail rotors.  The first member of the prolific Huey family, it was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet a 1952 US Army requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter, and first flew in 1956.  The UH-1 was the first turbine-powered helicopter produced for the US military, and more than 16,000 have been built since 1960.

The Iroquois was originally designated HU-1, hence the Huey nickname, which has remained in common use, despite the official redesignation to UH-1 in 1962.  The UH-1 first saw service in combat operations during the Vietnam War, with around 7,000 helicopters deployed.  The Bell 204 and 205 are Iroquois versions developed for the civil market.

Bell began development of the UH-1N for Canada in 1968.  It changed to the more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T twin-engine set . The U.S. also ordered the helicopter with the USAF receiving it in 1970.  Canada's military, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. Navy first received the model in 1971.  CUH-1H was the initial Canadian Forces designation for the UH-1H utility transport helicopter.  It was later redesignated CH-118, with a total of 10 built. (Wikipedia)

Bell CH-118 Iroquois Helicopter (10), (Serial Nos. 118101-118110)

(Canadian Forces Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Bell CH-118 Iroquois Helicopter (Serial No. 118103), c1974.

(Canadian Forces Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Bell CH-118 Iroquois Helicopter (Serial No. 118103), ca 1989.

(Canadian Forces Photo)

Bell CH-118 Iroquois Helicopter (Serial No. 118103), ca 1989.

(Alain Rioux Photo)

Bell CH-118 Iroquois Helicopter. (Serial No. 118106), seen here in a Tiger striped scheme on a cold and cloudy day, 10 Sep 1994. These colours were used to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the RCAF by 439 Squadron. This aircraft is now an instructional airframe used for Aircraft Battle Damage Repair (ABDR) training at CFB Borden, Ontario.

(Author Photo)

Bell CH-118 Iroquois (Serial No. 118101), National Air Force Museum of Canada, CFB Trenton, Ontario.

(Alain Rioux Photo)

Bell CH-118 Iroquois (Serial No. 118108).

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Bell CH-118 Iroquois (Serial No. 118110), in an early 1970's Rescue paint scheme, CFB Winnipeg, Manitoba.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Bell CH-118 Iroquois (Serial No. 118110), in an early 1970's Rescue paint scheme, CFB Winnipeg, Manitoba.

(Inga kk Photo)

Bell UH-1H Iroquois flown for the ICCS.

Intelligence Branch members Maj Tom F. Davie, Capt Bernie N. Wright and WO Gary W. Handson served in Vietnam with the International Commission for Control and Supervision (ICCS).

During the First Indochina War (19 Dec 1946 to 20 July 1954) between France and the Indo-Chinese nationalist and communist parties, Canada remained militarily uninvolved but provided modest diplomatic and economic support to the French. Canada was, however, part of the International Control Commission (ICC) (along with Poland and India) that oversaw the 1954 Geneva Agreements that divided Vietnam, provided for French withdrawal and would have instituted elections for reunification by 1956. Behind the scenes, Canadian diplomats tried to discourage both France and the United States from escalating the conflict in a part of the world Canadians had decided was not strategically vital.

Canadian negotiators were secretly involved in exchanging messages between the U.S. and North Vietnam on behalf of the Americans, with the approval of the Canadian government. Canada tried to mediate between the warring countries, aiming for a conclusion that could allow the U.S. to leave the conflict honorably.

Between 28 Jan and 31 July 1973, Canada provided 240 peacekeeping troops to Operation Gallant, the peace keeping operation associated with the International Commission of Control and Supervision (ICCS) Vietnam, along with Hungary, Indonesia, and Poland. Their role was to monitor the cease-fire in Vietnam per the Paris Peace Accords. After Canada's departure from the Commission, it was replaced by Iran. The work of the ICCS continued until the April 1975 fall of Saigon.

The Protocol to the Paris Agreement detailed the functions of the ICCS. At Article 4 it named the locations of seven regional teams and twenty-six teams within those regions in Vietnam. It also called for seven teams to be assigned to ports of entry (for replacement of armaments, munitions and war material permitted the two Vietnamese parties under Article 7 of the Agreement) and seven teams to supervise the return of captured and detained personnel.

In summary, the ICCS was to supervise the cease-fire, the withdrawal of troops, the dismantlement of military bases, the activity at ports of entry and the return of captured military personnel and foreign civilians. It was to report on the implementation, or violation, of the Peace Agreement and Protocols. As with the old ICSC, there were continuous disagreements between the communist and non-communist nations about the causes of treaty violations. Canada attempted to counter this with an "open mouth policy" to the world's media.

For reasons of distance and for reasons of safety, in a time of conflict, the ICCS often traveled by air. Requiring pilots experienced at flying over mountain and jungle, and men accustomed to the unpredictable military background of the region, the ICCS gave a contract to a locally well-established operation, Air America. Initially under the command of Colonel J. A. Mitchell, of Canada, this organization gave a coat of white paint to its aircraft and panels indicating 'ICCS', to operate as: ICCS Air Services. Captain Charles Laviolette (-1973), 12e Régiment blindé du Canada ICCS Canada, was the only Canadian fatality with the ICCS, though others were lost with the ICC.

During the period there were 18,000 alleged cease-fire violations, which resulted in over 76,000 killed, wounded and missing to both sides: on 29 May 1973 the Canadians announced that they were withdrawing from the ICCS because they had come to supervise a ceasefire but were instead observing a war.

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