The UH-1 evolved from a 1955 Army competition for a new utility helicopter. The Army employed it in various roles including that of an armed escort or attack gunship in Vietnam. The USAF, USN, and USMC eventually adopted the model, as did Canada, and West Germany. The initial Army designation was the HU-1, which let to the common unofficial nickname of "Huey". It was redesignated in 1962 as the UH-1 under a tri-service agreement.

USAF orders for the Huey began in 1963 for the UH-1Fs, intended for support duties at missile sites, and for TH-1Fs for instrument and hoist training and medical evacuation. The HH-1H incorporated a longer fuselage and larger cabin for a crew of (2) and up to eleven passengers or six litters. The USAF ordered these in 1970 as a local base rescue helicopter to replace the HH-43 "Huskie". The first of the USAF's UH-1Ns, a twin-engine utility version capable of cruising on one engine, was obtained in 1970.

Warner Robins Air Logistics Center provides logistics and program support for all UH-1s worldwide. Some versions continue to be in service today. The UH-1P on display was delivered to the USAF as a UH-1F in March 1966, assigned to the 43rd Bombardment Wing (SAC), Little Rock AFB, AR. In July 1966 it was transferred to the 606th Air Commando Squadron Nakhon Phanom AB, South Vietnam. In Feb 1967 it was transferred to the 20th Combat Support Squadron in Nha Trang AB. In June 1969 it was converted to an UH-1P while assigned to the 14th Special Operations Wing and deployed to Tuy Hoa and Ton Son Nhut ABs. Later it was assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Cam Ranh Bay AB and finally the 14th SOW before being shipped back to the U.S. in November 1970. It continued to serve with various units before being retired from the 405th Tactical Training Wing at Luke AFB, AZ in October 1987. It was shipped to the Museum in 1992 for display.