Choppers: Helicopters and the Vietnam War – MHHV one-day conference

MHHV and the National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM) will hold a one day conference at the NVVM on Saturday 20 April 2013, between 9 am and 4.30pm:

The conference will be opened by Dr Peter Edwards, AM, Official Historian for Australia’s involvement in South East Asian conflict 1948-1975, and the keynote speaker will be Air Vice Marshal Bob Treloar AO (RAAF Rtd).

The war in Vietnam has left indelible impressions upon our society.  One of the great icons from that decade-long conflict was the helicopter.  It was the first time that helicopters were used extensively in a war and as the war progressed the roles employed by helicopters expanded dramatically.  Whether operating as slicks (troop carriers), gunships, medevac, heavy lift, observation or aerial trucks, ‘choppers’ became the ubiquitous symbol of the war in Vietnam Рand essential for the conduct of the war.  No-one who served in Vietnam left without some experience of helicopters, directly or indirectly.

What Australian helicopter units served in Vietnam and what were their stories?  How did the Australian and New Zealand air and ground crew and performance compare to others? How did they adapt to new helicopter types and tactics? How did helicopters help or hinder our operations in Vietnam? What was the impact on casualty evacuation and survival rates for wounded?  What did we learn from the helicopter experience? These are some of the questions this symposium seeks to address.

This fully catered conference, in the superb setting of the NVVM and under the wings of a Canberra bomber, will be a must-go event for Vietnam veterans, historians and those who want to learn more about the helicopter experience in Vietnam.

To Register and pay online for the Conference, click here

To download a registration form and pay by cheque, click here

To learn more about the Museum dinner on Saturday evening 20 April at the NVVM, click here

Download a copy of the Conference Programme by clicking here

For speakers and delegates and their partners and families who expect to be on Phillip Island for the Choppers: Helicopters and the Vietnam War weekend of activities, an accommodation package has been created with the superb Silverwater Resort nearby if you wish to avail of it.  Click here to book accommodation for 19 and/or 20 April 2013 in one, two or three bedroom villas.   Use the promotional code VETS2013 to obtain the great rates available for this weekend – just enter the promotional code into the box and the special rates will come up.

If you do not have internet access to this link, please call Meg Forsyth at Silverwater Resort who will be able to book you at the discounted rate when you give the promotional code.

Tel: 03 5671 9384.

Please book early to avoid disappointment as rates will go up as the resort fills for that weekend.

To learn more about the Museum Activities day on Sunday 21 April, 2013, click here

This is a Military History and Heritage Week event – to learn more about MHH Week, click here

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