Seawolves exhibit opens at National Naval Aviation Museum

Seawolves exhibit opens at National Naval Aviation Museum

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) — The National Naval Aviation Museum dedicated a new exhibit honoring Helicopter Attack Squadron Light Three, known as the “Seawolves,” more than 50 years after members of the squadron left the battlefield.

The squadron is one of the most decorated combat units in Navy history.

Veteran helicopter on display

The exhibit includes a UH-1 Huey gunship that flew combat missions in Vietnam. The aircraft was donated by the veterans who once flew it.

For 94-year-old Bruce Borgquist, seeing the helicopter displayed at the museum felt personal.

“I flew this one for about a month in the squadron in Vietnam,” said Lt. Cmdr. Bruce Borgquist, USN (Ret.), a Seawolves veteran.

“It was great. Sometimes it wasn’t so much fun, but we had a mission, and we liked it, and we did it, and got really successful,” Borgquist said.

Pensacola’s training history with the squadron

Pensacola’s tie to the Seawolves goes back decades before the helicopter went on display. Every HA(L)-3 pilot learned to fly in Pensacola at what was then NAS Ellyson Field, the Navy’s helicopter training hub during the Vietnam War. That field is now Ellys...