Cadets from the Squadron have recently visited an infamous helicopter based only a few miles from the Squadron. Cadet Corporal Gaskin picks up the story...

Our visit to the Huey Helicopter in Kirkham gave a hint of what it was like for an American solider during the Vietnam War fighting against the Vietcong. We experienced different perspectives of the helicopter such as the pilot seat, internal helicopter management also an external machine gunner!

There was also a range of different equipment dotted around the hanger like real smoke grenades issued for the war, these were used to help the pilot for landing and targeting attack zones. We all were surprised by the weight of the grenade. Cadet Drew said,

It was heavier than I thought, it must have been difficult to for a solider to run with it

Inside the helicopter itself, you feel a bit of eeriness, bullet holes remain from the war, still embedded on the floor, ‘the stories they must of told’ I thought ‘they all have a different event that caused that shot’

A highlight for everyone was definitely playing the role of the machine gunner, a lot of photos were taken with the decommissioned machine gun. During the Vietnam War it played a key role in many rescue missions, saving lives and future generations. Something that was challenging was leaning out of the Huey Helicopter whilst aiming either side, people found it fun at the end of the day still.

Respect to this day is still carried out for those fallen with the helicopter and in the squadron it was based at and used by, it is signified via a plaque on either side of the helicopter.

Our thanks to Cpl Gaskin for his thoughts on the evening, and of course to the Kirkham Huey team for hosting us.