General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum

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NEWS

Explore the Helicopter’s Role in Combat at the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum’s New Exhibition
​For Immediate Release: July 26, 2021

(Hobart, Okla.) – The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum is proud to host “Vietnam: The Helicopter War,” a special exhibition exploring the helicopter’s role in combat. The exhibition will be showcased at the Museum through Aug. 27.

“The exhibit provides a glimpse into the helicopter’s role in combat and how it expanded enormously from its invention in the early 20th century to the American war in Vietnam,” said Scott Cumm, General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum manger. “Helicopters were able to provide rapid transport, air support in combat and valuable rescue and resource operations in Vietnam. Their impact was so significant that the UH-1 “Huey” became a symbol of the Vietnam War.”

Warfare experienced a great transformation with the advent of the helicopter. Operational and tactical efforts were improved including rapid transportation for medical evacuation, logistical operations, rescue missions and fighting forces. The United States first used helicopters in warfare during World War II to extract flight crews from Burma. Their use expanded during the Korean War, mainly with the H-13 and its role in medical evacuations, as well as troop insertions and in limited reconnaissance roles. During Vietnam, the United States utilized the helicopter as never before. Mobility and firepower were keys to the American operations provided by the ‘choppers.’

As part of the exhibit, the Museum displays include artifacts such as 1st Cavalry patches, a Stetson hat and models of eight different helicopters and information about their uses in the Vietnam War. Books, photos and a movie playing in the exhibit offer more information.

The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please visit TommyFranksMuseum.org.
The General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum was created as a historical foundation dedicated to telling the story of the United States military and education. Its mission is to advance the development of this world class leadership training institution and museum. For more information, visit TommyFranksMuseum.org.

Note to media: Photos from inside the exhibition available for download here. 
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General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum
507 S. Main Street
PO Box 222
Hobart, Oklahoma 73651

(580) 726-5900
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museum@tommyfranksmuseum.org






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