'I figured it was destroyed': Iowa Western students restore helicopter used in the Vietnam War
Some of the original crew were in attendance at Monday's unveiling ceremony
Some of the original crew were in attendance at Monday's unveiling ceremony
Some of the original crew were in attendance at Monday's unveiling ceremony
For months, a team of students at Iowa Western Community College has been restoring a Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter.
Those that fly the aircraft prefer to call the helicopter by its nickname, "Huey."
It was one of the most common aircraft used in the Vietnam War.
The helicopter the students have been working on is destined for the Nebraska Vietnam Memorial opening in Papillion.
"I just wanted to sit in it and get pictures before it went up on a pedestal at the memorial," said Vietnam veteran Craig Fouts.
Fouts was a crew chief during Vietnam.
His daily routine would involve missions in the Hueys.
Fouts turned 21 during his time in the country and on his birthday, he became the crew chief of a new helicopter aircraft 68-15532.
Decades later, Fouts asked to get photos in the aircraft the students were fixing since it resembled his own so much.
But upon further investigation, it became clear this was the exact helicopter he used to fly in.
"I figured it was destroyed or pushed off a ship somewhere," said Fouts.
The helicopter was officially unveiled in a ceremony at the Council Bluffs Airport Monday afternoon.
"It was just a helicopter that I flew in," said Fouts. "But when they did this for the memorial, it became a great helicopter because it represents all Vietnam veterans. It makes me so proud to be a small part of it."
The next step is to move the helicopter from the airport to the site of the memorial.
