Huyser was drafted into the United States Army in April 1943 and in 1944 entered the aviation cadet program.

In September 1944 he graduated from flying school and received his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant.

During the Korean War Huyser was assigned to the Far East Air Forces Bomber Command as chief, combat operations.

In February 1957 he became chief, Training Division, for the 92nd Bombardment Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, and later was named director of operations.

In July 1966 he assumed duties as vice commander of the 454th Bombardment Wing at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, and in December 1966 he assumed command of the 449th Bombardment Wing at Kincheloe Air Force Base, Michigan.

According to Carter, Huyser, and American sources, he attempted to stabilize Iran during the turbulent early stages of the Iranian Revolution.

While the option of a pro-Shah military coup still was a possibility, Huyser met with Iranian Armed Forces leaders (but not the Shah), and established meetings between them and Khomeini allies, for the purpose of agreeing on Shapour Bakhtiar's transitional government.

Huyser departed Iran on February 3, 1979, two days after Khomeini returned from exile in France and called for the expulsion of foreign military advisors.

[8] In 1996 the family created the General Dutch Huyser Outstanding Aircrew Member Award which is presented by the Airlift/Tanker Association at their annual convention.