TSAMTO, September 21. The Colombian Ground Forces are starting the combat use of five UH-1H multi-purpose helicopters, which were previously operated as part of the Pakistan Air Force Air Corps.
As reported by Infodefensa.com, five helicopters were donated to the Armed Forces of Colombia by the United States for use by the Army Aviation Division in support of operations to counter drug trafficking.
The helicopters were delivered to the Colombian Armed Forces base in Tolemaida on April 22, 2021 aboard a C-17 aircraft of the US Air Force. The acceptance ceremony took place in May. The helicopters have been thoroughly checked by the specialists of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Colombia to ensure their safe operation. However, they still retain the original color in which they were delivered.
The helicopters were operated in Pakistan for a long time and were returned to the United States about two years ago. Two of them are made in the MEDEVAC medical evacuation configuration. It is assumed that the life of their engines and fuselages is expiring and they are not suitable for upgrading to the Huey-II standard.