Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter 86-01649.

86-01649

86-01649, a.k.a. "Crimson Tide", operating in Afghanistan.

   86-01649, Boeing D model kit number M3154, was a CH-47D helicopter. The U.S Army acceptance date was 17 February 1987. As of 22 June 1998, 86-01649 had accumulated 1,092.7 D model hours and 7,427.0 total aircraft hours.

   86-01649 was a conversion from the original B model Chinook 67-18472.

   On 19 March 1986, 86-01649 was inducted into the D model program, converted, and initially scheduled for assignment to the 2nd Flight Platoon of the 178th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Boxcars", located at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

   At some point, the 178th ASHC was redesignated as A Company, 2nd Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment.

   At some point, 86-01649 was transferred to Hunter Army Airfield as an operational readiness float (ORF) aircraft upon the deactivation of the 178th ASHC.

   At some point, 86-01649 was transferred to the 132nd Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) – "Hercules", Hunter Army Airfield, located at Fort Stewart, near Savannah, Georgia.

   The 132nd ASHC was redesignated B Company, 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment in approximately November 1988.

   In September 1996, 2nd Battalion was deactivated and the unit was redesignated B Company, 159th Aviation Regiment. B Company became subordinate to the 18th Aviation Brigade.

   As of 5 March 2001, the 18th Aviation Brigade was located at Simmons Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was subordinate to the 18th Airborne Corps. The 18th Airborne Corps was subordinate to Forces Command (FORSCOM), which was a major command (MACOM) of the 2nd Army.

   While assigned to B Company - "Hercules", 86-01649 deployed to Southwest Asia to take part in Operation Desert Shield/Storm and accumulated 41.6 combat hours while in-country.

   86-01649 was returned to Hunter Army Airfield at the close of hostilities in Iraq.

   At some point, 86-01649 deployed to Afghanistan to provide support for Operation Enduring Freedom in the "War on Terrorism", accumulating over 300 flight hours in country.

   At some point, 86-01649 was deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Liberation, and accumulated over 200 flight hours in country.

   As of February 2003, the last known location of 86-01649 was in Afghanistan, assigned to B Company - "Hercules", 159th Aviation Regiment.

   Aircraft status: Flyable.

86-01649 operating in Afghanistan, circa 2002.

86-01649, operating in Afghanistan, 2002.

86-01649, operating in Afghanistan, 2002. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

An Afghan MIG-21 wreck is lifted by CH-47D Chinook 86-01649 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, circa 2002.

An Afghan MiG-21 wreck is lifted out of Bagram Air Base via 86-01649, a CH-47D helicopter belonging to the B Company - "Hercules", 159th Aviation Battalion, from Hunter Army Airfield, located at Fort Stewart, Georgia. B Company is part of the 18th Airborne Corps, headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina [2002, exact date unknown]. During this mission, 86-01649 was piloted by CW3 Howard.