Public Works Director Hector Chavez informed The News Gram of a very significant labor the city is going to undertake of refurbishing the helicopter, a task that is ongoing at this time as City of Eagle Pass workers have used a crane to bring the chopper down to ground level where the arduous task of cleaning the three feet of bird excrement which needed to be cleaned out of the aircraft that had its windows broken by vandals.

"We noticed that the helicopter was in need of repairs, so we rented a crane and we brought it down and we're working on it," added Chavez, "It's a shame really that all the windows were broken.  I don't know why someone would do that, it's a disrespect to our veterans.  We're looking to see if we can find a way to purchase those original windows so that we can replace them and then we're going to re-paint it."

The first combat operation of the UH-1 was in the service of the US Army during the Vietnam War.  Approximately 7,000 UH-1 aircraft saw service in Vietnam.  UH-1s were outfitted with rocket launchers, grenade launchers and machine guns and were referred to as 'Frogs' or 'Hogs' if they carried rockets and as 'Cobras' or simply 'Guns' if they had guns.  UH-1s also flew hunter-killer teams with observation helicopters.  They could also hold up to six stretchers, an internal rescue hoist, auxiliary fuel tanks, spotlights or many other kits.

The Huey is one of only 7,000 produced, making it that more special and we as Americans should all do our part to preserve this bit of American history as pieces such as this are hard to come by, therefore we should do so with even more intent.