by Carabeth Pitchford
Kick the season into high gear by attending this year’s Aviation Heritage Park Hangar Party on Saturday, June 16, at the Bowling Green/Warren County Regional Airport.
The 2018 party will introduce AHP’s newest acquisition, a Bell UH-1 “Huey” helicopter paying tribute to the late WKU grad and Army pilot Col. Raymond Nutter. Colonel Nutter was one of the most highly decorated soldiers of the Vietnam War. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross (second only to the Medal of Honor), the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Soldiers Medal, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal. After his service in the Army, he and his family settled in Bowling Green where he was active in construction and property management. He was a member and former president of the “W” Club at WKU and was a long-time member of the Bowling Green Rotary Club.
Just a year ago, the helicopter was retrieved from the Boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base where it had been in storage for over 35 years. After thousands of hours of meticulous research and restoration, the Huey is ready for her big reveal.
At last year’s Hangar Party, the Huey made her debut, but only in her “as found” condition.
“It’s been sitting in the high desert for decades, so it’s a little rough,” AHP President Joe Tinius said. “We want the public – and particularly Vietnam era veterans – to see it in its fully restored glory.”
This year’s theme is “Warriors Remembered,” signifying that AHP is honoring not only Col. Nutter and his comrades, but also the 7,000 Huey Helicopters that were used in the war as well. This particular helicopter is also a combat veteran, having served with the USAF 20th Special Operations Squadron, known as “The Green Hornets.” It was stationed in Ban Me Thuot and supported unconventional warfare missions in South Vietnam and Cambodia.
Party goers will enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner, unlimited free beverages and a stroll down memory lane through pictures and displays of the men and women and artifacts that make up the vivid aviation history of south central Kentucky, with a special emphasis on the Vietnam era. Several aircraft of interest are scheduled to be on hand, including a Blackhawk from the Kentucky National Guard.
Party gates open at 5 p.m. Limited tickets are on sale now, with pre-purchase recommended, available at Ford’s Furniture, Nat’s Outdoor Sports, Chuck’s Liquor on Three Springs Road, and Barbara Stewart Interiors, or online at www.aviationheritagepark.com. Tickets are $40 each for adults, $15 for children six-12, five and under are free. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.
For more information about Aviation Heritage Park, the aircraft, the pilots, or this event, go to AviationHeritagePark.com. Aviation Heritage Park is located at the corner of Three Springs Road and Smallhouse Road at Basil Griffin Park. Access to the park is free and open during daylight hours year-round.
If you or your organization is interested in sponsoring a table, please contact AHP at 270-421-4885.
