205th Aviation Company (ASHC)

"Geronimos"

 

In Vietnam: 1967 - 1970

In Europe: 1973 - 1988

 

 

A painting done for the Geronimos after the unit received D model Chinook helicopters during their stay in Germany during the Cold War. Painting commissioned in 1988.

 

 

The 205th Aviation Company was a medium lift helicopter unit flying CH-47 "Chinook" aircraft in Vietnam and Germany. While in Vietnam and part of the First Aviation Brigade, the 205th provided airlift support to American and allied forces ground troops.

In Germany, the Geronimos were an independent medium lift helicopter company assigned to the 4th Transportation Brigade (later the 4th Transportation Command).

The 205th was formed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, deployed to Vietnam in the Spring of 1967, and was stationed at Phu Loi. In late 1970, the 205th was inactivated and its colors transferred to Ft. Benning, Georgia where it was reactivated in June, 1971. Two years later, the Geronimos deployed to Germany and were assigned to Finthen Army Airfield, near the city of Mainz.

A unique aviation company, the 205th had a special mission supporting the United States Army Europe. Missions of the 205th took its aircrews to most of Western Europe - Norway, Denmark, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, and Egypt.

After over 3 years in Vietnam and 15 years in Europe, the 205th was deactivated on 19 November 1988.

 

 

 

A little history of the 205th Assault Support Helicopter Company

 

 

25 August 1981: Slings secured, an Army CH-47C Chinook helicopter of the 295th Assault Support Helicopter Company, stationed at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim prepares to lift another CH-47C Chinook belonging to the 205th Assault Support Helicopter Company, located at Finthen Army Air Field.

 

 

Water Landings and Field Training - 1985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View a video of the water landings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a partial listing of the airframes thought to be assigned to the 205th ASHC while deployed to the Republic of Vietnam:

 

64-13161 66-00110 66-00111 66-00112 66-00114 66-00116 66-00117 66-00118 66-00119 66-00120 66-00121 66-00123 66-19029

 

 

The following is a partial listing of the CH-47C airframes assigned to the 205th ASHC while deployed to the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)

 

68-15838 69-17106 70-15035 74-22286

 

 

The following is a listing of the CH-47D airframes assigned to the 205th ASHC while deployed to the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). The first 16 tail numbers were the original D models fielded to the unit in 1987 - 1988. 87-00102 and 87-00103 were assigned to the unit after redesignation as B Company, 6th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment and post Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm:

 

86-01671 86-01672 86-01673 86-01674 86-01675 86-01676 86-01677 86-01678 87-00071 87-00072 87-00073 87-00074 87-00075 87-00076 87-00077 87-00078 87-00102 87-00103

 

 

CW3 Tom Read, somewhere in Germany while flying a CH-47C Chinook helicopter. Tommy was a great guy to fly with. He was a great instructor pilot and real fun to be around when one was not in the cockpit.

 

 

The Wine Label of the 205th Aviation Company (ASHC), circa late 1980s. This is from the time when CW2 Mark Morgan took over the company wine activities and coordinated with the Eckert Volker Weingut Katharinenhof winery of Klein Winternheim, Germany, to produce several different types of high quality wines and Sekt.

 

 

Related Sites

General Order 46, June 1969

Finthen Army Airfield

D Model Fielding Posters

 

 

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