On a crisp afternoon, 1 April 1948, the future of naval aviation was changed forever. Standing near the hangar that once housed the Hindenburg, Captain Clayton Marcy read the orders that established the first two fleet-operational helicopter squadrons. Lakehurst, New Jersey, became the home of Helicopter Utility Squadron Two (HU-2) and for the next 20 years, operating from icebreakers, cruisers and aircraft carriers, they moved thousands of tons of cargo, provided support for scientific research missions and completed over ...
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On a crisp afternoon, 1 April 1948, the future of naval aviation was changed forever. Standing near the hangar that once housed the Hindenburg, Captain Clayton Marcy read the orders that established the first two fleet-operational helicopter squadrons. Lakehurst, New Jersey, became the home of Helicopter Utility Squadron Two (HU-2) and for the next 20 years, operating from icebreakers, cruisers and aircraft carriers, they moved thousands of tons of cargo, provided support for scientific research missions and completed over 2,000 at-sea rescues. This is the story of their missions, from the mundane to the heroic saving of lives. Dispersed throughout is some of the quirky humor that got them through many difficult and dangerous times. It is an insight into the aviation pioneers known as The Fleet Angels of Lakehurst.
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