OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A distinct group of Vietnam War veterans from around the country are gathering in Oshkosh for their annual reunion.
They chose to meet at EAA this year to reconnect with “each other” and a “Huey helicopter” that was part of their mission in Vietnam.
“It’s kind of awesome to go back on something like this. You never thought you’d see it again. We thought it was destroyed and it wasn’t,” said U.S. Army Veteran Mike Cusick.
He served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970 as a maintenance crew chief on Huey Helicopter 733, the same exact one that’s on display at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh.
Cusick and others in his unit are getting to see the gunship for the very first time away from Vietnam.
“It takes you back, you know — the good times, the fun times, the excitement. Everybody here pretty much feels the same way.”
The veterans who flew or crewed this Huey got to reminisce about the past and even sign their names on the inside of the doors.
“This is a reunion of the 121 Assault Helicopter Company,” said Army Veteran Don Jackson.
He said the Huey brings back a lot a memories.
“It took me back 50 years. Very heartwarming and very poignant in a way, because it reminds us of all the people who aren’t here anymore.”
The helicopter itself was saved from the scrapyard and refurbished to what it was like, flying its more than 2000 combat hours in Vietnam.
“It doesn’t look new and shiny. It looks like it did in 1969,” said Cusick.
The helicopter is now dedicated to those who flew, crewed and maintained the helicopter force in Vietnam.
“Well, it’s an early attack helicopter, and this group is called the Vikings. They were the gunships that protected the lift ships that took the troops in,” explained Philip Raschke, U.S. Army aviator veteran.
“This helicopter represents a significant change in the tactics of helicopters, so we’re pretty proud of it,” added Robert Green, another U.S. Army aviator veteran.
And that pride was evident amongst these veterans, hoping their Huey will now be around for future generations to understand what Vietnam was like for them.
“Everyone knows about World War II and World War I, but not a lot about Vietnam,” Cusick said. “This will help change that.”
