Washington, D.C. (April 6, 2023): In this photo by Master Sgt. Nicholas Priest, three U.S. Air Force UH-1N Huey helicopters from the 1st Helicopter Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland prepares to land on the National Mall during a routine training flight. The 1st Helicopter Squadron’s mission is to provide priority airlift evacuation for national-level civil and military senior leadership in the Nation’s Capital in an emergency. The Squadron is assigned to the 811th Operations Group that supports the Washington D.C. capital area with routine airlift for the Executive Branch, high-ranking dignitaries, military leaders, and other VIPs. The Wing consists of two squadrons of aircrew and support personnel.

The 1st Helicopter Squadron is the Air Force's largest operational helicopter squadron flying the UH-1N Iroquois “Huey”, the indestructible workhorse of the Viet Nam War. The squadron was first activated in February 1944 as the 1st Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron and flew combat missions in the China-Burma-India Theater during WW II. The Air Force's use of helicopters to transport 'distinguished persons' in the Capital area dates to August 1955 when the Military Air Transport Service was organized at Andrews. The unit also stands ready to help civilian authorities in the event of a disaster.