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86-01676, Boeing D model kit number M3181, was a CH-47D helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 24 September 1987. As of 13 August 1999, 86-01676 had accumulated 1,516.3 D model hours and 5,104.6 total aircraft hours. 86-01676 was a conversion from the original A model Chinook 64-13135. On 24 September 1986, 86-01676 was inducted into the D model program, converted, and initially assigned to the 205th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Geronimos", 4th Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), United States Army Europe (USAREUR), Finthen Army Airfield, Finthen, near Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) (West Germany). In November 1988, the 205th ASHC was re-designated B Company - "Geronimos", 6th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, and made a subordinate unit of the 12th Aviation Brigade, 5th Corps, USAREUR, when the 4th TRANSCOM was de-activated. B Company was deactivated in September 1992. When the 12th Aviation Brigade stood down shortly thereafter, it was relocated to Fort Bragg, North Carolina and re-designated 159th Combat Aviation Group (CAG). The 159th CAG was relocated to Fort Campbell, Kentucky in 1997. 86-01676 deployed with the "Geronimos" to Saudi Arabia in August of 1990. While on tour in Saudi Arabia and parked at King Fahd Airport during Operation Desert Shield / Storm, 86-01676 was involved in a freak accident. A U.S. Air Force C-130 tried to taxi through Chinook parking one night. Upon realizing the mistake and finding the route blocked, the pilot of the C-130 reversed the propellers and applied power. The end result: 86-01676 was blown into a concrete drainage ditch, severely damaging the structure. 86-01676 waited out the rest of the Operation and became a Tech Supply bird. Eventually, at some point, 86-01676 was repaired and subsequently assigned to A Company, 7th Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, 2nd Army, located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. At some point, 86-01676 was assigned to the Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC) at Fort Rucker and was known as Bear Cat 0. At some point, and as of 22 April 2002, 86-01676 was undergoing modifications conducted by WestWind Tech Incorporated, at Redstone Arsenal, near Huntsville, Alabama. At some point, 86-01676 was assigned to ATTC at Fort Rucker, Alabama, through at least May 2008. As of 1 January 2008, this aircraft was 42.5 years old. As of 9 October 2007, the last known location of 86-01676 was Fort Rucker, Alabama, assigned to ATTC. Aircraft status: Flyable. |
