Press Release
December 19, 2018
Contact: Steve Hawkins
Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-0754
shawkins@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/historycenter
Oklahoma History Center to Present Smithsonian Channel’s “Helicopter Missions: Vietnam Firefight”
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma History Center (OHC) is pleased to announce the showing of “Helicopter Missions: Vietnam Firefight” on Saturday, January 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. The program will be moderated by former Huey helicopter pilot, retired Captain Bob Ford. The cost is included in admission to the OHC.
“Helicopter Missions: Vietnam Firefight” tells the story of one of the most dangerous helicopter missions of the war. A company of more than 100 South Vietnamese soldiers, led by US Special Forces, had just been ambushed and surrounded by more than 600 North Vietnamese soldiers. The only escape would be by helicopter; only two Huey helicopters are able to answer the call, and they were unarmed. To add to the dire situation, there was no place to land in the 40-foot-high bamboo. They decided to use the blades of their helicopters to chop their own landing zone. After five trips, they managed to rescue every single survivor.
This episode of the Smithsonian Channel series “Helicopter Missions” is directed by Richard Max, a freelance director and producer with more than 15 years’ experience overseeing all stages of production. He has written, produced and directed more than 75 hours of broadcast television, including work on channels such as BBC, C4, FIVE, Discovery, National Geographic and Smithsonian Channel.
The Oklahoma History Center is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. It is a designated Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to all veterans, active duty military and their dependents. Regular admission to the Oklahoma History Center is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for students. Before or after the showing, attendees are encouraged to tour the museum, including the special exhibit “Welcome Home: Oklahomans and the War in Vietnam.” That exhibit opened in November 2017 and will remain open until November 2019. For more information about the event, please contact Kathryn Grossman at 405-522-0793 or kgrossman@okhistory.org.
The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
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