SUMMARY OF HELICOPTER OPERATIONS IN THE EVACUATION OF WOUNDED FROM APRIL 1950 TO DECEMBER 1954

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00423R001800130003-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 25, 1999
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: March 11, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

proved For Release WP/09/1 0 : CIA-RDP83-00423RO018001.30003-5
SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL SPECIAL CONTROLS, IF ANY
INFORMATION REPORT
PREPARED AND DISSEMINATED BY
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
COUNTRY
Indochina
This material contains Information affecting the
National Defense of the United States within the
meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C.
Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation
of which in any manner to an unauthorized per.
son Is prohibited by law.
25X1A2g
Summary of Helicopter Operations in the
Evacuation oi' iVounded from April 1950 to
December 1954
STRIBUrED
I S,~. s s
NO. OF PAGES I NO. OF ENCLS.
R
25X1A
DATE OF INFORMATION (Date or dates, on or between which,
events or conditions described in report existed)
Dec 54 and Earlier
25X1 X
Z. "UH-12A Helicopters - The first two UI-l2A helicopters were put in service
in April 1950. These helicopters showed excellent qualities. This equipment
was maintained with periodical overhauls of short duration and was found to
be sturdy and easily maintained. Loading wounded was rapid enough and could
be carried out without lifting off the litter carriers (particularly valuable
under fire). These aircraft, being very light, could be landed in very small
areas and were often transported in Bristol freighters to airfields nearer
to the combat zone.
3. "The problems raised by their short range were easily resolved in multiplying
the fuel dumps throughout the Indochina territory. These dumps allowed us to
refuel in a few minutes..
4. "these aircraft carried two lying wounded, and sometimes three.
5. "H-23A Helicopters These were put in service in March 1952, and these
tz rcraft were found to be inferior to their predecessors. In fact, the
difference of 150 lbs in empty operating weight with the same 178 HP engine
gave a large handicap to the H-23A in which we were only able to evacuate one
lying wounded. Nevertheless, whenever conditions were favorable, the tempera-
ture was low, the wind was light and the landing place open, we were able to
evacuate two lying wounded.
v Put. Jul iervioe in IUiaroh LV5;5, and proved
themselves to be excellent from, all points of view. Equipped with 200 HP
engines, giving them a reserve of power, these aircraft assured us, often U
under very trying circumstances, successful evacuation of wounded in the
Tonkin Delta as well as Health Department missions in mountainous and wooded
areas. Landings under fighter cover in posts surrounded by the rebels were
made particularly delicate because of the confined landing space (often simply
the yard of a block house) and by the fire of enemy arms. Being very maneuver-
able, they permitted us in the months of September and October 1953, alone, to
evacuate more then 800 wounded soldiers. Fitted with skid landing gear, they
were able to land on the banks of rivers and on very rough ground.
"These aircraft, despite their limited range, were indispensable in the Indo-
china theatre of operations. They complemented perfectly the o
eratic ...
p
l
th
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e
aj e L a of nelico ters...
WHITED: Dissemination limited to full-time and
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offices produ bv~~e ~ gc ?~/?111 ii ~
unless the written permission of the originating office has been obtained through the Assistant Director for Collection and Dissemination,
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 Approved For Release,4 9/09/10 : CIA-FDP83-00423RO0180V3 003-5
"Results obtained by Hiller helicopters in the Indochina theatre of
operations from 16 Apr 50 to 31 Dec 54.
1950
1951
Total Flying
Hours
218.40
362.00
Flying Hours in
Operations of War
79.35
241.50
Flying Hours Under
Fire
43}.00
161.00
Number of Wounded
Evacuated
69.00
238.00
Shot Down Pilots
Saved
5.
CK-11Sj-Ot_
1952
1953
1954
Total
939.40
1543.30
1388.55
4452.45
860.15
1268.30
565.50
3016.00
540.00
1265.00
744.00
2753.00
699.00
1692.00
847.00
3545.00
4. 6.
TYPE ACT-DATE INFO-TPD-OATE AREA
Appr ved For Release 1999/09/ t a 4238001800130003-5