Artifact Friday: Support Squadron Pilot BPH-2 Helmet

This week we will be taking a look at one of our newer collection items at our new exhibit here at the museum.

The BPH-2 Helmet is a part of a new collection that shows the impact and history of service. This particular BPH-2 Helmet was used primarily in 1965 and 1966. Its coloring and engraving are unique to it. This helmet was designed for aircrews for patrol, transport, and reconnaissance missions, essentially for non-fighter or non-high-performing fighter jets. It was distinct in its particular design for maritime patrol, particularly used by the Navy.

This particular helmet was a helicopter combat support pilot helmet that has its Navy inscription at the tip of the forehead and Fleet Angels written across the top. The HSC-2, or the Fleet Angels, is a helicopter sea combat squadron that served in Vietnam. This combat group provided combat search and rescue, vertical replenishment, and logistics for the Seventh Fleet.

HC-1, Helicopter Support Squadron One, pioneered helicopter organizations in Vietnam before the fleet was organized into specialized squadrons. Throughout the Vietnam War, the Fleet Angels were credited with numerous critical rescues in which this helmet was a part.

A key identifier of the BPH-2 helmet was a microphone assembly that was attached to the chin of the helmet. The design we see was revolutionary compared to the previous BPH-1 helmet. It has a fiberglass outer shell with a white finish and an inner fabric helmet liner. This helped to bridge the gap between soft helmets and the far later jet helmets.

This helmet signifies integral operations, designs, and men throughout the Vietnam War. The service and specialized combat operations that were carried out by the Fleet Angels were significant and can be seen through the 1965 BPH-2 support squadron helmet in our new display in Building 1.