| The United States Marine Corps has a long and proud | | | | were resistance was expected. Initially, this role fell |
| history of operating helicopters and developing, and | | | | to UH-1 Hueys modified to carry rocket and gun |
| implementing helicopter tactics. The Marines began | | | | pods. The Huey was not a purpose built gunship. It |
| developing helicopter assault tactics after WWII. In | | | | lacked sophistication especially in its targeting system, |
| the Korean and Vietnam Wars, they put their | | | | which consisted of grease pencil drawn crosshairs on |
| theories to the test, improving what worked and | | | | the windscreen. |
| altering or discarding what didn't. | | | | The Cobra was the first purpose built gunship to |
| The Marine Corps of today is a highly effective, | | | | enter production. It immediately made its presence |
| highly mobile fighting force. They owe a great deal of | | | | felt. It's ability to accurately target and engage |
| their mobility to helicopters and the Marine aviators | | | | enemy forces made it an ideal platform for |
| who developed and perfected present day tactics. | | | | operations in the varied environments of Vietnam. |
| The Marines use a variety of helicopters to perform | | | | The Marine Corps version of the Cobra was the |
| their mission. One of them is the Bell AH-1 Cobra. | | | | AH-1J Sea Cobra. It had two engines, which provided |
| The current Cobra, the AH-1Z, derives from a long | | | | an extra layer of redundancy when operating from |
| line of Cobras that began with its introduction in the | | | | naval vessels. |
| mid 1960's. In the early days of Vietnam, another Bell | | | | The Marines currently operate a mix of AH-1W |
| design, the UH-1 Huey, was making a name for itself | | | | "Whisky" Model Cobras and AH-1Z Vipers. The |
| in the rice paddies, jungles, mountains and river deltas | | | | Whisky models were sought because earlier models |
| of Southeast Asia. The Huey was used to insert and | | | | were not navalized (built to withstand the harsh, |
| extract troops. It became evident that an armed | | | | damaging, and corrosive effects of the salt water |
| helicopter was needed to escort troop carrying | | | | salt air environment. |
| helicopters (commonly called slicks) into landing zones | | | | |