Photo By 2nd Lt. Jorge Intriago | Soldiers from the South Dakota Army National Guard and the South Carolina Army...... read more read more
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COLUMBIA, S.C. - CH-47D Chinook crew members from the South Carolina Army National Guard received some special training during a cross country mission from July 9-12. Bravo Company, 2-238th General Support Aviation Battalion soldiers trained for their upcoming deployment while giving an old bird one more chance to soar.
The South Carolina Military Museum recently acquired a H-13B Sioux helicopter from the Pierre Military Museum in South Dakota after a competition between South Carolina and two other states.
The Sioux is a three-man observation and basic training helo, manufactured by Bell Aircraft Corporation. This model gave birth to Army aviation in the South Carolina National Guard making the battle with the other states an easy win for South Carolina.
The director of South Carolina Military Museum, E.G. (Buddy) Sturgis Jr. said he is excited about the opportunity to have this aircraft as part of South Carolina’s military history.
“The helicopter was significant to South Carolina. It was the first rotor wing in South Carolina Army aviation,” Sturgis said.
The only problem was how to get the newly acquired helicopter down to South Carolina. That’s where the South Carolina Army National Guard stepped in. Bravo Company has been preparing for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan by performing cross country flying missions. A Chinook crew consists of two pilots and two flight engineers. The pilots are in charge of flying and monitoring all instruments and the FEs are responsible for the physical condition of the aircraft. The Chinook mission varies from carrying personnel, cargo-large and small, both inside and outside using a sling load underneath its belly.
Other methods of transportation could have been utilized, however, B Company needed cross country flying time for their future mobilization. The Chinook crew jumped at the chance to perform this unique historical mission to help both states.
“I think it was nice to be involved in the aircraft’s last flight from South Dakota to South Carolina before the aircraft final home at the museum,” said Spc. Tommy Hunt, FE for the CH-47D Chinook.
The Sioux is scheduled to go on display at the South Carolina Military Museum in the near future. Army guardsmen and the museum are working together to restore the piece of history to its original condition.
Visit the S.C. Military Museum’s website at: http://www.scmilitarymuseum.net/ for updates on this project as well as other exhibits.
| Date Taken: | 07.13.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.16.2012 16:59 |
| Story ID: | 91635 |
| Location: | COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 353 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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