Originally published in 2002
The Army plans to retire its UH- I “Huey” helicopter fleet, between 400 and 600 aircraft, over the next few years. The Aviation and Missile Command Project OLR will recondition the helicopters for use in foreign military sales or international humanitarian missions.
One of the six Project OLR sites worldwide is in Killeen, and Temple Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport will expand its capacity to handle the helicopters. According to knowledgeable sources, the Temple location allows operations to be coordinated closely with the existing center in Killeen and the workload will be shifted or spread between two locations as necessary.
The Temple location would be used for the initial processing of incoming helicopters: basic inspections, preparation for storage, and removal of sensitive equipment, including addition into the Project OLR database. Additionally, the Temple location would only process aircraft that can be rehabilitated; unflyable aircraft would go to a location in Arizona. Extensive helicopter reconditioning would be done at the Killeen facility.
Huey helicopters have been used in flood and brush fire rescue operations, and for medical evacuations, as well as anti-terrorism efforts. Indeed, a win-win situation for Central Texas and the govemment–the additional revenue added to the U.S Treasury and a worthwhile program for Texas. This program, which is already on its way, is expected to result in 50 new jobs spread between Temple, Killeen and San Angelo (Project OLR’s other Central Texas facility).