Yokota Centaurs will lose their UH-1Ns imminently
As expected, the last oversees based USAF Bell UH-1N Twin Hueys from the 459th Airlift Squadron 'Centaurs' will be phased out before the end of 2025.
Having flown the Huey for 45 years, the 459th Airlift Squadron, part of the 374th Airlift Wing, will now cease flying the venerable UH-1N from Yokota Air Base (Japan).
While at this time it is unknown to Scramble Magazine if their will be a successor such as the MH-139A Grey Wolf, the Huey has been primarily used at Yokota for humanitarian support, VIP flight missions, bilateral training missions, and Search And Rescue (SAR) missions.
A Yokota based 36th Airlift Squadron C-130J-30 Super Hercules has been sighted with a painted decal commemorating the UH-1N's retirement. It features two Hueys on a white background. Inscribed in black are the words 'Thank you for the memories' and 'Departing Yokota Air Base 1980-2025,' while in red are the words 'SEEEYUH! USAF Yokota AB UH-1N Huey.'
For a long time, until recently, the following UH-1Ns have been sighted with the 459th Airlift Squadron: 69-6614, 69-6639, 69- 6645 and 69-6646.
The 459th Airlift Squadron 'Centaurs', also known as 'The Orient Express', is expected to continue to fly with its three C-12J Huron transport aircraft.
Credit photos: USAF
 |
 |