OVERVIEW

 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 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.  

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.

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.

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.

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 101^st 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..

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:

1. Whenever possible, to locate veterans who are experienced with the aircraft (or an aircraft of similar characteristics), to lead a group of AAHF volunteers in it’s restoration and operation.
2. The restoration of the aircraft to its original Army Specifications.
3. Research the aircraft’s Military history and integrate it into our educational presentations.
4. Ensure the aircraft and crew are maintained to high operational and safety standards in full compliance with F.A.A. regulations.

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