About the Website Historian

 

 

In May 2003, senior website historian Mark S. Morgan was inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Michael [Bronze Award], not only for significant contributions to Army Aviation, but for the development of this website and efforts to compile the most complete history of the Chinook available on the Internet. MG Carl H. McNair, Jr., Ret., former Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command presented the award shown on the right. Mr. Morgan retired from active duty on 1 Febuary 2005 after serving for 28 years.

 

 

 

After retirement from active duty, Chinook helicopter pilot Mark S. Morgan (CW4, Regular Army, Retired) continued to work in the field as an Instructor Pilot and Maintenance Examiner in CH-47D and F model airframes conducting test flights and teaching active duty, national guard and civilian aircrews how to operate

the latest version of the US Army's heavy cargo transporter.

 

 

Resume'

 

 

January 2013 to November 2013: Employer:   SURVICE Engineering Company. Location:   at various locations including Ft Riley, Kansas, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, and Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea. Position:   Instructor Pilot - Training and Systems Support, CH-47F New Equipment Training Team (NETT) - CH-47F Flight Instructor / Instrument Instructor Pilot / Maintenance Test Pilot Evaluator. Duties:   Performs instruction and support of training for all crewmember activities involving the fielding of the new CH-47F Chinook helicopter to the US Army. Performs duties as an academic instructor and instructor/operator in the Tactical Flight Proficiency Simulator (TFPS). Performs instruction and support training for all maintenance test pilots involving the fielding of the new CH-47F helicopter associated with the NETT. Responsible for the ferrying of new helicopters from the manufacturer to the assigned destination. Plans and conducts advanced flight instruction/instrument instruction for D model qualified aviators and maintenance test pilot/maintenance test pilot evaluator students. Levels of instruction range from basic maneuvers to the advanced maneuvers, including but not limited to: confined area operations, pinnacle and ridgeline operations, internal/external load operations, operation of aircraft at maximum gross weight, low level navigation techniques, low level navigation aided with GPS, terrain flight, tactics, basic and advanced instrument techniques particular to the CH-47F, operation of Night Vision Goggles (NVG) including AN/AVS7 Heads-up-Display (HUD). Aircraft specific instruction includes the complete operation of the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS), Blue Force Tracker (BFT) and Joint Variable Message Format system (JVMF), CH47F systems differences training and maintenance test flight maneuvers. Evaluates performance and competency of rated aviators, Maintenance Test Pilots (MP), and Maintenance Test Pilot Evaluators (ME). Briefs and debriefs students concerning performance requirements, actual performance, and makes final decision as to students' successful accomplishment of course objectives. Recommends Readiness Level (RL) status to the Unit Commander and Standardization Pilot (SP) upon completion of CH47F MP, ME, Pilot in Command, or Copilot evaluations. Serves as a training specialist in conducting job and task analysis. Assures the design of test instruments and training materials are technically accurate and functional. Develops technically and doctrinally sound instructional materials for training programs as well as conducts field and resident training materials/test validation. Assists the Task Lead and Program Manager with the management and administrative effort necessary to ensure that the requirements of the Performance Based Work Statement (PWS) are accomplished within ISO/AS9100 guidance.

 

 

May 2009 to December 2012: Employer:   Systems, Studies and Simulation Incorporated (S3 Inc.). Location:   at various locations including Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Drum, New York; Millville, New Jersey; Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii; Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; Fort Wainwright, Alaska; Fort Riley, Kansas. Position:   Instructor Pilot - Training and Systems Support, CH-47F NETT - CH-47F Instructor / Instrument Instructor Pilot / Maintenance Test Pilot Evaluator. Duties:   Performed instruction and support of training for all crewmember activities involving the fielding of the new CH-47F (Chinook) helicopter to the US Army. Performed duties as an academic instructor and instructor / operator on transportable flight proficiency simulator (TFPS). Performed instruction and support training for all maintenance test pilots involving the fielding of the new CH-47F helicopter associated with the New Equipment Training Team (NETT). Responsible for the ferrying of new helicopters from the manufacturer to the assigned destination. Planned and conducted advanced flight instruction / instrument instruction for D model qualified aviators and maintenance test pilot / maintenance test pilot evaluator students. Levels of instruction ranged from basic maneuvers to the advanced maneuvers, including but not limited to: confined area operations, internal / external load operations, operation of aircraft at maximum gross weight, low level navigation techniques, low level navigation aided with global positioning system (GPS), terrain flight, tactics, basic and advanced instrument techniques particular to the CH-47F, operation of Night Vision Goggles (NVG), including AN/AVS7 Heads-up-Display (HUD). Aircraft specific instruction included the complete operation of the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS), Blue Force Tracker (BFT) and joint variable message format (JVMF), CH47F systems differences training and maintenance test flight maneuvers. Evaluated performance and competency of rated aviators, Maintenance Test Pilots (MP), and Maintenance Test Pilot Evaluators (ME). Briefed and debriefed students concerning performance requirements, actual performance, and made final decision as to students' successful accomplishment of course objectives. Recommended Readiness Level (RL) status to the Unit Commander and Standardization Pilot (SP) upon completion of CH47F MP, ME, Pilot in Command, or Copilot evaluations. Served as a training specialist in conducting job and task analysis. Assured the design of test instruments and training materials were technically accurate and functional within known equipment and facility constraints. Developed technically and doctrinally sound instructional materials for training programs as well as compiled field and resident training materials and completed test validation. Assisted the Task Lead and Program Manager with the management and administrative effort necessary to ensure that the requirements of the Performance Based Work Statement (PWS) were accomplished within ISO/AS9100 guidance.

 

 

August 2008 to May 2009: Employer:   Lear-Siegler Services Incorporated. Location:   Fort Lewis, Washington. Poistion:   CH-47D Helicopter Maintenance Test Pilot. Duties:   Performed as Test Pilot on CH-47D helicopters in support of Regional Aviation Sustainment Manager (RASM) (OLR - West) and the U.S. Army RESET Program, ensuring that helicopters met established airworthiness standards and were returned to the customer on time.

 

 

December 2004 to July 2008: Employer:   Army Fleet Support (AFS). Location:   Knox Field, Fort Rucker, Alabama. Position:   CH-47D/F Flight Standardization Pilot / Safety Officer. Duties   Performed as Standardization Pilot / Safety Officer, responsible for the management, supervision, academic and flight training, and annual evaluations of 10 test pilots and 22 Flight Engineers in support of CH-47D and F model Chinook helicopters for the U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center.

 

 

March 2003 to February 2005: Employer:   United States Army, A Company, 1-223rd Aviation Regiment. Location:   Knox Field, Fort Rucker, Alabama. Position:   Track Chief / Platoon Leader / Instructor Pilot, U.S. Army CH-47D Chinook helicopter Maintenance Test Pilot School. Duties:   Responsible for management and supervision of 4 instructor pilots and 7 flight engineers. Developed course content, managed instructional periods, scheduled and conducted flight and academic training, continually updated academic course content employing latest instructional information and techniques, ensured standardization among test pilots and flight engineers through continual coordination with the U.S. Army Directorate of Standardization and Evaluation (DES).

 

 

March 2000 to February 2003: Employer:   United States Army, B Company - "Sugar Bears", 4-123rd Aviation Regiment. Location:   Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Position:   CH-47D Maintenance Test Pilot / Maintenance Examiner / Quality Control Officer / Technical Inspector. Duties:   Performed as CH-47D pilot in command in support of tactical and operational air missions throughout the State of Alaska. Conducted a wide variety of test flights on assigned helicopters. Conducted training and evaluation of unit test pilots ensuring standardization and proficiency. As Quality Control Officer, responsible for ensuring the airworthiness of fleet aircraft, maintenance and disposition of aircraft historical files, weight and balance data, resolving safety of flight issues, and conduct of the Army aviation oil analysis program. As Technical Inspector, responsible for ensuring aircraft maintenance was conducted in accordance with (IAW) established directives.

 

 

November 1997 to February 2000: Employer:   United States Army, A Company - "Flippers", 159th Aviation Regiment. Location:   Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Position:   Production Control Officer, Test Pilot, Maintenance Examiner. Duties:   Planned, directed, coordinated and managed all maintenance activities for unit comprised of 185 personnel, 16 CH-47 helicopters, one UH-1 helicopter, and a variety of maintenance support vehicles and ground handling equipment; coordinated unit, intermediate and depot level fleet maintenance activities and certification of all equipment and special tools. Performed duties as Maintenance Evaluator training and evaluating U.S. Army and contractor test pilots on CH-47D procedures. Performed duties as Pilot in Command during self-deployment and disaster relief operations to Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua after Hurricane Mitch struck central America.

 

 

November 1996 to October 1997: Employer:   United States Army, 2nd Battalion - "Nightmare", 52nd Aviation Regiment. Location:   Camp Humphreys, Korea. Position:   Battalion Aviation Maintenance Officer (BAMO) / Maintenance Examiner. Duties:   as Battalion Aviation Maintenance Officer, planned, scheduled and directed maintenance actions for an active duty organization consisting of 350 personnel, 34 CH-47D and 2 UH-1 helicopters, as well as $15 million in ground support equipment. Performed duties as Maintenance Examiner training and evaluating U.S. Army and contractor test pilots on CH-47D test flight procedures.

 

 

September 1995 to October 1996: Employer:   United States Army, 159th Combat Aviation Group (CAG). Location:   Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Position:   Financial Resource Management Officer. Duties:   As Financial Resource Management Officer, planned and executed an annual budget allocation exceeding $30 million; as a school trained Contracting Officers Representative (COR), provided a critical link between the Army and contracted support personnel.

 

 

March 1992 to August 1995: Employer:   United States Army, C Company - "Flippers", 159th Aviation Regiment. Location:   Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Position:   Quality Control Officer / Technical Inspector / Maintenance Test Pilot / Maintenance Examiner. Duties:   Performed as CH-47D Pilot in Command in support of tactical and operational air missions throughout the United States, to include disaster relief missions after Hurricane Andrew struck south Florida. As Quality Control Officer, responsible for ensuring the airworthiness of fleet aircraft, maintenance and disposition of aircraft historical files, weight and balance data, resolving safety of flight issues, conduct of the Army Aviation Oil Analysis Program (AOAP). As Technical Inspector, responsible for ensuring aircraft maintenance was conducted IAW established directives. Conducted training and evaluation on unit test pilots ensuring standardization and proficiency. Conducted a wide variety of test flights on regimental aircraft.

 

 

February 1985 to February 1992: Employer:   United States Army, 205th Aviation Company (Assault Support Helicopter Company) - "Geronimos". Location:   Finthen Army Airfield, Mainz-Finthen, Germany. Position:   Quality Control Officer / Technical Inspector / Production Control Officer / Maintenance Test Pilot. Duties:   as Quality Control Officer, responsible for ensuring the airworthiness of fleet aircraft, maintenance and disposition of aircraft historical files, weight and balance data, resolving safety of flight issues, conduct of the Army Aviation Oil Analysis Program (AOAP). As Technical Inspector, responsible for ensuring aircraft maintenance was conducted IAW established directives. As Production Control Officer, planned, directed, coordinated and managed all maintenance activities for a unit comprised of 280 personnel, nineteen CH-47C and sixteen CH-47D helicopters, one UH-1 helicopter, and a variety of maintenance support vehicles and ground handling equipment; coordinated unit, intermediate and depot level fleet maintenance activities. Performed as CH-47C/D Pilot in Command and test pilot during the cold war in support of tactical and operational air missions throughout Europe, including missions in Germany, France, Belgium, England, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

 

 

November 1983 to January 1985: Employer:   United States Army, Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) Flight Training Course. Location:   Fort Rucker, Alabama. Position:   Student. Duties:   attend the U.S. Army Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) Flight Training Course and CH-47B/C Aircraft Qualification Course (AQC).

 

 

November 1981 to October 1983: Employer:   United States Air Force, 607th Tactical Control Training Squadron. Location:   Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Position:   Aircraft Control & Warning Systems Operator (Air Force Specialty Code 27650). Duties:

 

 

July 1979 to November 1981: Employer:   Oregon Air National Guard (ANG). Location:   Portland International Airport, Portland Oregon. Position:   Aircraft Control & Warning Systems Operator (Air Force Specialty Code 27650). Duties:

 

 

February 1977 to June 1979: Employer:   Oregon Air National Guard (ANG). Location:   Portland International Airport, Portland Oregon. Position:   Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist (Air Force Specialty Code [AFSC] 43150). Duties:

 

 

Training and Certifications: United States Air Force Basic Training (1977, Lackland Air Force Base). U.S. Air Force Tactical Aircraft Maintenance School (1977, Sheppard Air Force Base). Warrant Officer Basic Course (1983, Fort Rucker). Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course (1984, Fort Rucker). CH-47B/C Aircraft Qualification Course(1985). Aviation Maintenance Officers Course (AMOC) Phase I (Correspondance Course, 1986). Contracting Officers Representative (COR) Course (1986, Mannheim, Germany). CH-47D Aircraft Qualification Course (1987, Fort Eustis). Aviation Maintenance Officers Course (AMOC) Phase II CH-47D (1987, Fort Eustis). Aviation Maintenance Officers Course (AMOC) Phase II UH-1 (1989, Fort Eustis). Warrant Officer Advanced Course (1993, Fort Rucker). Warrant Officer Senior Course (2000, Fort Rucker). CH-47D Instructor Pilot Course (2003, Fort Rucker). CH-47F Aircraft Qualification Course (AQC) (2007, Fort Hood). FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate - Airplane (SEL) and Helicopter. Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) - Airplane (SEL) CFI and Certificated Flight Intructor Instrument (CFII) - Helicopter.

 

Awards: Distinguished Graduate - U.S. Army Warrant Officer Candidate Course. Distinguished Graduate - U.S. Army Initial Entry Rotary Wing Flight Training Course. Honor Graduate - U.S. Air Force Tactical Aircraft Maintenance School. Army Master Aviator Badge. Order of St Michael.

 

Decorations, Medals and Ribbons: Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (3), Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Acheivement Medal (2), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Award, Air Force Good Conduct Award, National Defense Service Medal (2), Korea Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (2), Army Service Ribbon, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal.

 

Childhood mentor and lifelong heroes:    General Charles Elwood "Chuck" Yeager. (After 55 years of waiting, I finally got to meet him and shake his hand in December 2011 on Ford Island, Oahu, Hawaii.)    Neil Armstrong, Astronaut. I landed at the airport named in his honor to acquire fuel during a CH-47F Ferry Flight mission on a miserably dark and stormy day. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet him - but I do watch the moon for a sign.

 

Favorite Funny Guy: Benny Hill. Don't be miserable. Life is always funny - even when the current situation sucks. If you don't enjoy what you are doing - then why do it?

 

"I'm just an average guy who has been fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time and got a chance to fly a wonderful aircraft with some of the finest people on the planet. Go Hookers!"

 

 

The Senior Chinook helicopter Historian has piloted the following 172 CH-47 B, C, D and F model airframes:

 

 

66-19114 66-19140 67-18438 68-15838 68-15847 68-15851 68-16005 69-17106 69-17107 70-15005 70-15007 70-15028 70-15029 70-15030 70-15032 71-20946 71-20950 71-20951 71-20952 74-22276 74-22277 74-22286 76-22675 76-22676 79-23395 82-23767 82-23768 82-23771 82-23775 83-24105 83-24112 84-24165 84-24167 84-24168 84-24170 84-24178 84-24179 84-24183 84-24184 85-24322 85-24323 85-24327 85-24330 85-24331 85-24333 85-24334 85-24335 85-24336 85-24337 85-24338 85-24339 85-24340 85-24343 85-24347 85-24348 85-24353 85-24356 85-24369 86-01640 86-01645 86-01646 86-01647 86-01649 86-01654 86-01655 86-01656 86-01658 86-01660 86-01662 86-01664 86-01667 86-01668 86-01669 86-01670 86-01671 86-01672 86-01673 86-01674 86-01675 86-01676 86-01677 86-01678 86-01680 87-00071 87-00072 87-00073 87-00074 87-00075 87-00076 87-00077 87-00078 87-00080 87-00085 87-00090 87-00091 87-00101 87-00102 87-00103 87-00111 88-00062 88-00067 88-00070 88-00071 88-00075 88-00077 88-00079 88-00085 88-00086 88-00087 88-00088 88-00091 88-00094 88-00099 88-00101 89-00158 89-00166 89-00167 89-00168 89-00169 89-00170 89-00171 89-00172 89-00174 89-00175 89-00176 89-00177 90-00181 90-00182 90-00183 90-00184 90-00187 90-00188 90-00189 90-00190 90-00192 90-00198 90-00203 90-00205 90-00209 90-00211 90-00224 91-00231 92-00302 98-02000 03-08003 04-08709 04-08711 04-08712 04-08713 06-08021 06-08029 06-08032 07-08730 07-08040 07-08731 07-08732 07-08734 08-08045 08-08046 08-08047 08-08052 08-08053 08-08054 08-08056 08-08058 09-08059 09-08062 11-08835 11-08836 11-08837 11-08838 11-08839

 

 

 

 

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