FALL RIVER, MA:  Battleship Cove, home of the world's largest and most diverse collection of historic naval ships, is proud to announce the christening of a new capital project: "Vietnam: The Helicopter War." Launched by a generous $85K Destination Development Capital Grant award from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT), the project will fund the construction of a permanent edifice and exhibit to restore, preserve, and interpret the museum's Iroquois and Cobra helicopters. 

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"As home of the official memorial to all Massachusetts service personnel killed in the Vietnam War, we must preserve the history and cultural legacy of those who served in that conflict, and we are so grateful to MOTT for supporting that mission," states Board Vice President Richard Angelini. "As the ancestors to our modern combat helicopters, these historic aircraft are also critically relevant to today’s veterans, symbolizing the deep connection between generations of American warfighters. Combined with our two Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopters on board Destroyer Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., this aircraft collection helps visitors to understand how helicopter technology transformed the combat landscape in the years between World War II and the War on Terror."

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Through the centuries, cavalry soldiers supported their infantry brethren and turned the tides of battle with superior arms, armor, and mobility. As America expanded westward, her military employed cavalry troops decisively in the wars against the indigenous peoples of the plains. A century later, as the United States stormed into a new battle in the jungles of Indochina, their descendants, the "Air Cav," would honor those fallen warriors on airframes named after them, a tradition that continues to this day. Blackhawk. Chinook. Kiowa. Apache. All these titles recall the bravery of these native peoples, as well as the American servicemen and women who serve on and with these historic "birds." Among them all, none is more iconic than the Iroquois, or, as it will be forever known, the "Huey."

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The legendary symbol and workhorse of the Vietnam War, the Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter was the most produced aircraft since World War II. Utilized in both insertion and extraction operations of US troops along with the gunship configuration, the Huey still is the most recognized helicopter in the world. Her "cousin," the Cobra attack helicopter, traces its design lineage directly to the Huey and was the first helicopter conceived specifically for direct fire support of ground troops. Battleship Cove’s new, immersive exhibit will showcase both of these authentic Vietnam-era choppers within the engaging environment of a simulated wartime aircraft hanger. Vintage music, lighting, and aesthetics will immerse visitors into the past as they observe active conservation and restoration efforts that show how such aircraft are maintained against the enemy and Mother Nature.

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Battleship Cove is a non-profit maritime history museum that preserves the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ official memorials for its citizens killed in World War II, the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars, and the 9/11/01 attack on America. The museum welcomes the public to follow its social media channels and visit www.battleshipcove.org for more information on upcoming exhibits and events.