The AH-1G "Cobra" or "Snake" helicopter system met the Army's need for a fast, armed escort and attack helicopter in Vietnam. Unlike the lightly armed Huey, the Cobra carried an array of weapon systems that quickly proved their tactical value to the airmobile doctrine by providing immediate fire suppression and rocket barrages. This Cobra helicopter, tail number 67-15663, first entered service in Vietnam in August 1968 with F Troop of the 8th Cavalry stationed in Chu Lai, and its fuselage is patched where it took ground fire during a combat mission on November 25, 1969. In Vietnam the Cobra proved it could engage Soviet-made armor during the North Vietnamese forces' attack on An Loc on April 13, 1972. After Vietnam, Cobra series helicopters added the XM65 TOW missile system to their weapons package, were designated AH-1S, and were redeployed with an additional anti-tank role on the front lines of the Cold War. The Cobra went to the front line protecting areas such as Frankfurt to counter a Soviet and Warsaw Pact invasion of Germany through the Fulda Gap. This Cobra served with the 175th Aviation Company and then with 3rd Infantry Division in Germany from 1973 to 1975.