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89-00170, Boeing D model kit number M3324, was a CH-47D helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 27 September 1990. As of 28 September 2001, 89-00170 had accumulated 1,583.4 D model hours and 5,063.4 total aircraft hours. 89-00170 was a conversion from the original C model Chinook 67-18503. On 3 October 1989, 89-00170 was inducted into the D model program, conversion complete on 27 August 1990, and was initially assigned to the unit that would eventually become B Company - "Sugar Bears North", 4th Battalion, 123rd Aviation Regiment, located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Fort Wainwright was the former historic Ladd Field of World War Two era fame. B Company was the former C Company, 228th Aviation Regiment (16 October 1987 - 24 June 1994). C Company was the former 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Muleskinners" (located in Alaska from November 1971 through 16 October 1987). When United States involvement in the Vietnam conflict ended, 242nd ASHC was re-located from the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) to Alaska. The aviation unit in Alaska at the time was designated the 236th ASHC, 19th Aviation Battalion (April 1971 - November 1971). When the 242nd ASHC re-located to Alaska and re-formed, the unit name changed from "Muleskinners" to "Sugar Bears" and the unit designation went from the 236th ASHC to the 242nd ASHC. At some point, the unit was split into two companies. One company remained in Alaska and became known as "Sugar Bears North". The other company, C Company, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, was relocated to Fort Kobbe, Panama and became known as "Sugar Bears South". AT some point, 89-00170 deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In late 2008, 89-00170 was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington, to undergo RESET - a program designed to restore the aircraft to a pre-deployment status and repair most deficiencies incurred as a result of theater operations. As of 18 December 2008, this aircraft was 40.7 years old. As of 18 December 2008, the last known location of 89-00170 was Fort Lewis, Washington, assigned to B Company, 52nd Aviation Regiment, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Aircraft status: Flyable. |
