4 1 AVIATION BATTALION HISTORICAL RECORD OPS

File: 090496_jul96_decls33_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 17
Subject: 4 1 AVIATION BATTALION HISTORICAL RECORD OPS                    

Box  ID: BX001066

Document Number:          9

Folder Title: MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION-4TH BN-1ST AVN REGIMENT                                           

Folder Seq #:         11

Unit: 1ST ID      

Parent Organzation: VII  CORPS  







                       With AVSCOM assistance from a Lockheed contract maintenance team, the battalion
               completed phases on UH-60's 006, 338, and 140. EH60 473 and LTH-l's 354 and 160 also
               underwent phases. All aircraft had erosion protective tape applied to both main and tail rotor
               systems.
                       A Co conducted lst annual "NBC Olympics." Company members donned protective
               masks and participated in numerous grueling sports events such as the crab walk, the egg and
               spoon race, and the ever popular egg toss . The company was preparing its troops for the eventual
               NBC alerts.

               01 - 04 December
                       Companies of 4-1 Avn Bn inventoried, loaded, and then shipped equipment by rail from
               Camp Funston (Ft. Riley) to Houston, TX.
                       Flight crews received crew briefg for air movement to a seaport outside Ellington Field,
               TX, and all aircraft were loaded for movement.

               05 - 07 December
                       D and E companies departed Ft. Riley at 0400 to fly aircraft to Ellington Field, TX.
               Service Company personnel took part in aircraft preparation operations at LaPorte,, TX. SGT
               Wemer received an ARCOM for his commendable service during port operations, caring for
               aircraft records and logbooks . SSG Dunagan received an AAM for his actions as the Service
               Company detachment NCOIC during port operations.
                       2AD(FWD) inventoried equipment and ordered laser goggles and GPS navigation systems.
               Equipment was then loaded inside three sea-land containers. These containers were then
               transported from Lucius D. Clay Kaseme to the port city of Bremerhaven.
                       WOI Belanger, CW3 Sidonio, and SPC Racca departed Marshall Army Airfield as a flight
he deployment to Houston. Due to unforecasted winds,
               the UH-IH did not reach the first location of Independence, KS . They landed at Neodesha, KS at
               Mr. Joe Smith's private airfield at 0715. The crew remained at Mr. Smith's until the aircraft was
               refueled. Then, departing the airfield at 1000, they landed at Independence Municipal Airport at
               1030. The flight was delayed until 1350 due to 56 knot winds, at which time they departed for
               Tulsa, OK. They arrived at Tulsa at 1445. Upon landing, WOI Belanger perfon-ned a hovering
               pedal turn to hover to the Air Guard ramp, but the aircraft began an uncontrolled right turn. The
               aircraft turned four and one-half times before CW3 Sodonio could land and turned another quarter
               turn on the ground before coming to a stop. Post flight inspection revealed both fore and aft cross
               tubes bent, damage to the fuselage just aft of the right forward area, and a bent cargo hook . The
               ninety degree gearbox had failed intemally, al lowing the tail rotor to turn freely.

               08 - 22 December
                       All D Co. aircraft arrived at port, and preparations began for shipment. Two more E Co.
               aircraft (980 and 843) arrived.
                       At Ft. Riley, all companies were busy turning in excess and unserviceable items.
               Inventories were completed in preparation for installation and FMO property transfer to UPECO.

               09 December
                       The last three UH60A Blackhawks (006, 843, 01 1) arrived from Ft. Riley. All battalion
               aircraft were now in port preparing for shipment,

               10 December
                       Crewmembers that shuttled the aircraft to port board buses for movement back to Ft.
               Riley. Spouse support groups were organized and began conducting activities .

               1IDecember
tle crews arrived at Ft. Riley, and 2AD ' s vehicles were driven to Bremerhaven.