Vietnam War icon flying to Shelbyville http://www.shelbynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=93&ArticleID=60273&TM=61281.56
Helicopter serves as link to the past for Guardsmen 4/10/2009 Jeff Tucker Staff writer A helicopter that rescued injured troops during the Vietnam War and that has been restored to vintage condition is scheduled to touch down in Shelbyville next month as part of a reunion of former Army National Guardsmen based in Shelbyville. The Bell UH-1H Huey, Serial No. 70-16369, was flown in Vietnam in 1971 and 1972 by the 498th Medical Co. where it was used as an air ambulance and saved untold lives. After the southeast Asian conflict, the battle-tested aircraft was flown by different U.S. Army and Army National Guard units before it was retired in 1995. It was subsequently bought by John and Alan Walker of Peru, Ind., in 2005. The nonprofit group American Huey 369 maintains the helicopter in Peru and has flown it to patriotic events since 2007. "It's a wonderful machine that can do a lot," said John Walker, who flew Hueys for the U.S. Marine Corps. "We never take her for granted because we know this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get to educate all generations and the veterans about the Huey by using the helicopter and taking it to celebrations like this." The aircraft is scheduled to be flown from Peru to Shelbyville on May 16, Armed Forces Day, for a reunion of the former 38th Aviation group of the Indiana Army National Guard. The 38th was based in Shelbyville and is a forerunner of today's 238th General Support Aviation battalion, which is presently deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. "This is just about those guys and we're just bringing those guys the type of aircraft they worked on and flew on and flew overseas on," Walker said. The helicopter is scheduled to land at Shelbyville's American Legion Post No. 70 at 1125 S. Miller Ave. where it will be on display for a couple of afternoon hours while former 38th Aviation Guardsmen reunite. "We're just having an old pilot-crew reunion because we haven't seen a lot of the guys in 10, 15 or 20 years," said former Guardsman John Smith, who worked on a Huey crew from 1974 until 2005. "It's all going to depend on the weather, but that is our proposed date," Smith said, adding families from across the United States are expected to attend the reunion. The vintage Huey aircraft will also be flown to the Shelby County Fairgrounds, weather permitting, before heading back to Peru, Smith said. Walker said the Huey, designed in the 1950s and the first jet-turbine helicopter used by the Army, is known for the sound of its blades and the smell of its jet fuel. "The Huey is the icon of all helicopters and it's best known for its famous sound," Walker said. "Hearing the Huey meant to the men on the ground that help was on its way. We also call the Huey the sound of hope." The Bell Helicopter UH-1 Iroquois became famous for its use in the Vietnam War. The initial designation of HU-1 (helicopter utility) led to its Huey nickname. The aircraft was first used by the military in 1959 and went into widespread production in 1962. The last Hueys were produced in 1976. More than 16,000 Hueys were made, and about 7,000 of them saw action during the Vietnam War. Walker said the Hueys were durable, capable of sustaining several hits and could be serviced in field with standard tools. "This is the only flying one in the state of Indiana and the first Huey in the state of Indiana that has flown since the Shelbyville Guard flew their last one out four years ago and turned it into the Army," Walker said. "That's why it's so unique to have 40 years later." Walker said the medivac aircraft, which was designed to carry 14 passengers and crew, had a life expectancy in Vietnam of only three to six months because they were frequently targeted as they approached landing zones. In Vietnam, 2,202 Huey pilots were killed and approximately 2,500 Huey aircraft were lost, roughly half to combat and the rest to operational accidents. "The Huey is very much a healing machine now. A lot of people died in Hueys," Walker said. "The Huey is kind of a gateway for an opportunity to heal for the men that were in Vietnam." For more information about the helicopter and American Huey 369, go to americanhuey369.com. . --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Sixties-L" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/sixties-l?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
