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Army
Aviation Heritage Foundation |
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The
Army Aviation Heritage Foundation (AAHF) is a non-profit public educational
foundation filed under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS. The
Foundation is dedicated to presenting the Army Aviation story to the American
people through narrated, patriotic flying presentations and static displays
of the actual aircraft and equipment used by the men and women who served in
Army Aviation. This is accomplished through the acquisition,
restoration, and maintenance of historic flyable army aviation aircraft
representing Army Aviation (Vietnam to present). The Mission The Army Aviation Heritage
Foundation (AAHF) is a national, one-of-a-kind non-profit all-volunteer
organization composed of over 700 veterans, their families, and civilian
supporters and is acting to connect the American soldier to the American
public as an active, accepted, and admired member of the American family by
presenting the story of Army Aviation and the American soldier. The
AAHF is providing America an opportunity to hear its veterans share their
stories and see its military legacy in flight and in action. The Method To best share the legacy
of the Army and Army Aviation with the American public, the members of the
Army Aviation Heritage Foundation have chosen to take the story TO the
American people, versus having the people come to them, through extensive and
elaborate use of its historic flyable Army aircraft fleet in "living
history" programs presents at major public venues, such as air shows,
and at numerous other smaller community outreach initiatives. Each
living history program is designed and presented to honor our Country's
military and its veterans while inspiring patriotism in the public that
ultimately supports them and giving a glimpse of military life, service and
devotion to the next generation. Every aspect of the AAHF's air show
outreach programs is designed to provide an exciting yet realistic,
demonstration of the soldiers, equipment, and role of Army Aviation and the
Army in American military history, delivered with a meaningful and patriotic
presentation and narration of grab the public's ear so that they might hear
the foundations message of enthusiasm, love and pride in the accomplishments
of the Army, Army Aviation, and America's military services to our
Country. As an example, the Vietnam program combines seven of the
AAHF's veteran Army helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft with actual infantry
assault teams to deliver a realistic and powerful portrayal of the use of
Army Aviation and Air Assault infantry forces in a typical AirCav troop
action in Vietnam. The program includes multiple aircraft gun and
rocket runs, artillery support, a low-level supply air drop, and an infantry
air assault with a realistic ground "fire fight", complete with
opposing forces and the liberal use of blank ammunition by both sides.
Realistic pyrotechnic effects support the action throughout this program to
convey realistic weapons effects to the crowd. Every effort is made to
ensure that the audience receives a realistic representation of the Army and
Army Aviation in action during those troubling time in Vietnam. The Need Few military branches
have had a dynamic a growth and development as Army Aviation, yet it’s
heritage and the professionals who made this history are little known or
recognized. Further, the various types of historic Army Aviation aircraft are
rapidly disappearing, they are being given to foreign governments or sold for
scrap. Finally, there is a present generation of young Americans who have no
first hand knowledge on the contributions of these sky soldiers and their
aircraft. When their aircraft are gone and their stories left untold, their
legacy will remain forever unknown to the American people. The Foundation In 1997, the AAHF was organized
by a group of concerned citizens and veterans to improve the public’s
awareness of Army Aviation and it’s Veterans. Utilizing flyable historic Army
Aviation aircraft, the AAHF tell the story of Army Aviation to the public
through country-wide education presentations. To secure the long-term
success of this "first-of-a-it's-kind" organization, the Foundation
has: 1. Incorporated as a Non-Profit Domestic
Corporation, in June of 1997. 2. Received I.R.S. approval as a 501 (c)(3)
public educational foundation. (Donations of money and equipment are fully
deductible under IRS guidelines). 3. Qualified to receive Federal surplus
property and supplies through the Federal Surplus Program. Aircraft The Foundation is
constantly on the search to obtain examples of historic Army Aviation
aircraft. These aircraft are acquired and maintained solely as a
"means" to tell the Army Aviation story to the American public. To
date, the AAHF has been successful in acquiring both fixed-wing and rotary
aircraft, representing the eras from World War II, Korea, Vietnam to present.
Some of the aircraft have already been restored to "show quality"
condition, while others are waiting their turn for full restoration as funds
become available. Several AAHF aircraft
have actual combat experience. The OH-6A (1966) served in Vietnam from
1968-1971 with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Mobile). Several
of our UH-1H "Hueys" have years of combat experience in Vietnam.
The Foundation also has a flying TAH-1P Cobra (1976) helicopter. Also
the only remaining flying OV-1B Grumman Mohawk is in the AAHF inventory.. Aircraft Preservation One of the unique
functions of the AAHF is to obtain, restore and maintain in flyable
condition, examples of historic aircraft representing Army Aviation from
Vietnam to present. No other known educational foundation is totally
dedicated to preserving only flyable U.S. Army Aviation aircraft for future
generations of American to experience. Following acquisition of
an aircraft, the AAHF has four primary tasks:
The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation understands that today’s soldiers and their families are watching how America treats her veterans. We are using veteran aviators and veteran aircraft to inspire Americans of all generations and ensure that our Nation’s military legacy and heritage of service are never forgotten.
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