PENDLETON – Pendleton Air Museum took possession of its latest aircraft acquisition Friday.

The UH1 H Iroquois (Huey) Vietnam-era assault helicopter did not fly. It made the trip from Salem on a flatbed truck. It will make its public debut as part of the Dress-Up parade, which starts at 10 this morning in downtown Pendleton.

The helicopter is on long-term loan to PAM from the Oregon Army National Guard and will be displayed at the Army Aviation Support facility, the future site of the permanent PAM facilities.

The Huey is significant to the history of aviation in Pendleton because the first local full-time guard unit was the 463rd Aviation Detachment, supporting the 116th Cav. unit, a detachment of six Huey helicopters.

The Huey was in Pendleton from 1990 to 1995, where it was used for pilot battle and night-vision training. It was at Fort Lewis, Wash., before being stationed in Salem.

The Oregon Army National Guard gratefully acknowledges the support of local members of the Oregon Army National Guard and Col. Tim Kelly of Salem, said Mike Short, PAM publicity director.

Kelly was the former Pendleton Aviation support facility commander and is now the commander of Oregon Army National Guard Aviation.

For more information or to volunteer for future PAM projects or events, call Short at 278-0534 or 509-531-2287.