A restored Vietnam War-era UH-1H Huey helicopter is expected to draw attention over Portage and Kalamazoo this weekend as the aircraft arrives at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center, Kalamazoo, MI, for a two-day visiting aircraft event. The June 6-7 program is being organized through a partnership between the Air Zoo and Michigan Flight Museum & Air Adventures and will include helicopter rides as well as opportunities for visitors to see the aircraft on the ground at the museum’s Flight Discovery Center in Portage. To get more information about the event and to book tickets, click HERE.
(Image credit: Michigan Flight Museum)
Built in 1967, the helicopter entered military service before deploying to Vietnam, where it spent much of the next four years flying with the 240th Assault Helicopter Company. Operating under the call sign “Greyhound,” the aircraft was used for troop movements and medical evacuation missions during the war. The unit itself was divided into three groups: the “Mad Dogs,” which operated gunships, the transport-focused “Greyhounds,” and the maintenance crews known as the “Kennel Keepers.” The company’s connection to Greyhound Bus Company reportedly extended beyond the nickname, with support from the transportation company helping shape the unit’s identity during the conflict.
(Image credit: Mark Kolanowski)
After returning from Vietnam, the helicopter continued serving with Army and National Guard units before eventually leaving military service and entering private ownership. It later underwent restoration work by Northwest Helicopters, which returned the aircraft to its 240th Assault Helicopter Company appearance. The aircraft was acquired by Michigan Flight Museum & Air Adventures in 2019 and remains active on the airshow and living history circuit. Visitors interested in flight experiences aboard the helicopter can book seats in advance, while others are invited to visit the Flight Discovery Center at 3101 Milham Ave. in Portage to see the helicopter and meet its crew during the weekend event. For more information and to support the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center, click on this link: www.airzoo.org.
