Republic file photo The Columbus Indiana Huey landed on Sunday at a private hanger at the north end of the Columbus Municipal Airport. The UH-1H Helicopter was manufactured in 1970 as one of more than 7,000 contracted by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
The Columbus Indiana Huey (HUEY) organization will host a fish fry at the Columbus American Legion from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Free will donations will be accepted.
The event will be a fundraiser for CIH activities honoring military veterans and other civic activities.
The CIH is a 501c3 non-profit organization of volunteers who work to support and maintain the Columbus HUEY helicopter. CIH spokesman George Dinn said the group is trying to raise money to “keep the HUEY in the air.”
Dinn explained the privately-owned helicopter is frequently requested for fly-overs at burial sites in honor of local veterans during their funerals and for various other civic events.
“We acquired the HUEY in 2020 and soon learned about the expenses involved in housing a helicopter,” Dinn said.
“A HUEY can only fly about two hours before refueling and, at the current price of jet fuel, it costs between $750 and $800 every time the HUEY refuels,” said Dinn.
“Our HUEY will never be self-supporting and our volunteers will always have to think of ways to raise money,” said Dinn.
