{"id":3125,"date":"2015-11-23T03:58:51","date_gmt":"2015-11-22T20:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/?page_id=3125"},"modified":"2025-06-20T05:05:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T22:05:10","slug":"the-beginning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/?page_id=3125","title":{"rendered":"The Beginning"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome Again to SCARNG Aviation Pictorial History<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The story begins in September 1947.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Although the South Carolina Army National Guard was originally formed in 1670 and Army Aviation was born in June 1942 with field artillery units being outfitted with organic air observation fixed wing aircraft for the purpose of becoming the forward eyes of artillery, <\/strong>the aviation program as we know it today began in September 1947 at a time when\u00a0<\/strong>LTC Frank D. Pinckney was the director over state ordinance assets and assigned the task of organizing the Army Aviation activities at Congaree Air Base to support the new units\u00a0as they received their\u00a0organic aircraft.\u00a0(Note: Congaree Air Base was originally named Columbia Army Airfield when constructed in January 1943 and later, July 1944, Marine Corps Auxiliary Airfield Congaree) <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The reason for this Army Aviation organization was twofold:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0a.\u00a0 The Army Air Corps\u00a0had just become a separate branch of service, United States Air Force, taking\u00a0with it all aviation assets from the Army except for the L-16\u2019s and L-17\u2019s.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0b. \u00a0The National Guard was being reconstituted following the end of World War II having two missions. The first, the state mission, was designed to deal with state disaster under control of the governor and second, the federal mission, was designed to be in reserve for the active military.\u00a0 At the time, units would drill for two hours on Monday nights participating in lots of Drill and Ceremony (Weekend unit training assemblies started 1965 0701).\u00a0 As part of reconstituting the National Guard in South Carolina, Headquarters Company, 51st Infantry Division was located in St. Matthews with the unit make-up containing a “Division Air” section with organic aircraft and maintenance personnel.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \"1947<\/a><\/p>\n

CPT William T. \u201cBoots\u201d Oliver was the Company Commander.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Additionally, the 178th Field Artillery Battalion located in Greer;\u00a0the 296th Field Artillery Battalion located in Florence; and the 248th Field Artillery Battalion located in Georgetown\u00a0were reorganized in\u00a01947 and\u00a0all\u00a0had organic observation airplanes included in their make-up.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 First order of business at hand for LTC Pinckney was to acquire work space to accommodate the new Army Aviation Program.\u00a0\u00a0 At the time the Air Guard\u2019s link trainer building was available\u00a0so LTC Pinckney acquired the building and had it converted to\u00a0a fixed wing hangar.\u00a0 Thus, the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) came into existence although the hanger was not known as such at the time.\u00a0\u00a0 Jim Harmon, director of state maintenance, was then tasked to renovate the building to accommodate maintenance of the aircraft by removing the double doors and\u00a0widening the opening to 40 feet span to\u00a0accommodate\u00a0the wing span of the fix wing fleet.\u00a0 \"1951<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This converted facility was used from 1948 until 1958.\u00a0\u00a0Even today the underside of the roof still bears the silver paint used to improve lighting.\u00a0 In later years, this same facility would house the air station canteen, BX, and Credit Union.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"DeHavilland-U-6-Beaversm\"<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 \"l-17\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Having already been delivered from the factory,\u00a0five L-16 airplanes and one L-17 airplane had to be serviced, secured and put into\u00a0storage.\u00a0\u00a0All of these aircraft were new\u00a0when flown to the air base and parked\u00a0on the\u00a0ramp of the runway.\u00a0 The L-16 was a <\/strong>two crew<\/strong> liaison\u00a0aircraft primarily used for artillery observation.\u00a0 <\/strong>The L-17 was a four-place aircraft built by North American used primarily for VIP transport missions.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At this point, the next task for LTC Pinckney was to establish a work force to put the six\u00a0airplanes\u00a0into temporary, long-term storage.\u00a0\u00a0To fill\u00a0the work force need he hired Robert Brockman, James C. Wagers, and James Glenn. They\u00a0reported to work on\u00a0Tuesday, 2 Sep 1947, the first workday after the Labor Day week-end.\u00a0\u00a0Mr. Glenn worked for a very short time at Fort Jackson and then moved on to California.\u00a0 So, at this <\/b>\"Robert<\/strong><\/a>\"Jim<\/strong><\/a>point it would\u00a0seem appropriate to refer to Mr. Brockman and Mr. Wagers as the fathers<\/strong> of South Carolina Army National Guard Aviation.\u00a0 Mr. Brockman and Mr. Wagers worked at Congaree Air Base where their first job\u00a0was to prepare the six airplanes for long term temporary storage.\u00a0 This period of\u00a0storage was necessary due to the hanger not being usable as of yet and at the time\u00a0the Army Guard didn\u2019t have any pilots on board and current to fly the airplanes.\u00a0 These airplanes were partially disassembled, crated, and stored in the Air Guard warehouses located along the back road of the air base.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Having\u00a0worked in supply while in the Army Air Corps, Mr. Brockman knew the use of the forms and records and the supply procedures very well and Mr. Wagers had maintained aircraft while serving in the US Navy.\u00a0 Their vast aviation knowledge and experience complemented each other and was\u00a0instrumental in the startup\u00a0the new aviation program.\u00a0\u00a0 With the airplanes in storage, they spent their time during the winter months ordering parts, common hardware, predicted consumables and getting better organized.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As soon\u00a0as the hanger\u00a0renovations were completed\u00a0and the hanger occupied, the next task was to\u00a0ready the airplanes\u00a0for flight.\u00a0\u00a0The first airplane assembled, on the ramp, and ready to fly was the L-17 Navion serial number\u00a047-1365 (Registered as civilian N10552).\u00a0 Since the new Army Guard was being\u00a0formed and\u00a0didn\u2019t have any pilots on board,\u00a0MAJ Robert L. Morrell from the Air Guard helped out by flying the airplane occasionally.\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As\u00a0additional hanger space\u00a0was procured\u00a0and personnel were on board, the five L-16\u2019s were distributed out\u00a0to units located in Florence, Georgetown, and Spartanburg.\u00a0 The L-17 remained at Congaree\u00a0Air Base although it was unit property of the 51st Division Headquarters located in St. Matthews.\u00a0\u00a0The outlying units did crew chief\u00a0type maintenance and the higher-level maintenance was accomplished at Congaree Air Base.\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In early 1948 while the aviation program was maturing and in preparation for AT, pilot check-outs were being conducted by C. C. Thomas.\u00a0\u00a0He was conducting these check rides in blue jeans due to not everyone having been issued their authorized uniforms and equipment, <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The first annual training encampment was conducted in the summer <\/strong> of 1948 with pilots from the 178th Field Artillery and 296th Field Artillery\u00a0at Hilton Field on Ft. Jackson, South Carolina \u201cCamps of Instruction.\u201d\u00a0 Since the units were part of the 51st Division, annual training in 1950 was conducted\u00a0at Ft. McClellan, Alabama along with the Florida piece of the division assets.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0CPT William Hale reported for duty during the winter of \u201948-\u201949 as the first Army Advisor and was a rated L-16 pilot.\u00a0He had just finished flight school before arriving.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Athey2\"
<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 CPT Clifford S. Athey had been hired as the 51st Division Air Officer<\/strong> and later, in 1949, became\u00a0our first Army Aviation Support Facility Commander.\u00a0\u00a0 He went active in the Army in 1955 and later, in 1973, served in the Republic of South Viet Nam.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"OLD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 By the end of 1949 Brockman, Wagers, John P. Grant, and Jacob B. <\/strong> Carroll were working at Congaree Air Base.\u00a0 Baron L. Smith was in Spartanburg supporting aircraft assigned to the 178th Field Artillery Battalion.\u00a0 Mr Smith later went on active duty and was replaced by Alfonzo Dean.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dewey Bullman later\u00a0replaced Mr. Dean in Spartanburg supporting HQS Div Arty.\u00a0 Eugene Smith was in\u00a0Florence with 296th Field Artillery Battalion.\u00a0 Even though there was no place to hanger aircraft in Georgetown, Paul Waccom was there in support of the\u00a0248th Field Artillery Battalion’s\u00a0assigned aircraft.\u00a0 The airplanes in Georgetown were merely tied down on the ramp.\u00a0 All of this increase of personnel came about due to major growth in the new aviation program.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In early 1951 the L-19\u2019s started arriving to replace the L-16\u2019s.<\/strong><\/p>\n

.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \"1963\u00a0 \u00a0 \"1963<\/a>\u00a0 \"1963<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1951 1215 \u2013 1LT William P. (Billy) Dent and a passenger, MAJ Elmer P. Fleming were on a night flight returning from Washington, D.C. in a L-19 when they experienced engine trouble causing them to bail out over North Carolina near Kittrell parachuting safely to the ground.\u00a0 Surprisingly, the airplane landed on its own with damage to the forward half of the fuselage instead of being completely demolished.\u00a0 However, the airplane was never flown again.\u00a0 The reason for them bailing out was the oil filler cap was not tightly closed; the engine oil was siphoned out in flight; and the engine lost power.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mr. \u00a0Brockman became an Ordinance Warrant Officer in 1953.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> This <\/strong>was also the<\/b>\"HillerOH23sm\"<\/a> same<\/b>\"1970<\/a> year the first OH-13\u2019s and OH-23\u2019s came to the South Carolina Army National Guard.\u00a0 Until arrival of these helicopters, the aviation program in SCARNG consisted of all fixed wing aircraft.\u00a0 Clifford O. Hendrix started working at the hanger this year as well.\u00a0 By the end of the year, Mr. Hendrix and Mr. Wagers had also stripped and painted the second L-17 of the fleet.\u00a0 The airplane was in bad shape when it arrived.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"1955<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0MAJ James R. Davis transitioned from flying fixed wing to rotor wing aircraft . He replaced MAJ Athey as Army Aviation Support Facility Commander in 1955.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \"1973\u00a0\u00a0 \"694\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In early 1955 the L-20\u2019s started arriving to replace the L-17\u2019s.\u00a0 Although it was new from the factory, the first L-20 designated as a\u00a0U-6A in 1962, tail number 55-694 c\/n 915, was picked up at Ft. Bragg, N.C. by James R. Davis and Mr. Carroll.\u00a0 (A note here, they also turned-in this same airplane to the bone yard in Arizona.\u00a0 This airplane just happened to be the\u00a0last U6-A\u00a0in the Army inventory.\u00a0 Today it flies the skies of Alaska as N5381U.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1955<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Having graduated from Helicopter Flight School in June 1955, 2LT Marion H. Kinnon became the first ROTC commissioned officer to attend flight school from South Carolina Army National Guard.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1956<\/a>\u00a0 \"1956<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>1LT Dick White became the first fallen comrade on 15 Jan 1956 when he died in an accident near Inman, S.C. while flying an L-19, tail number 51-12246.\u00a0 He was a veteran of World War Two and served in the Naval Air Corps for three and a half years as a pilot.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Dick was a lieutenant in the 51st division artillery headquarters battery of the Spartanburg National Guard.\u00a0 He and an agent were flying a still search mission when the airplane stalled in a steep left turn and crashed.\u00a0 On impact the stick went far enough forward to short out the battery and very quickly caused the leaking fuel to ignite. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1970<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01958 – The new hanger was occupied\u00a0which had been constructed in an area known as the Pecan Groove.\u00a0 This new construction provided a hanger and parking space suitable for all of the outlying aviation assets to be relocated to Congaree Air Base.\u00a0 By the end of 1960 by direction of National Guard Bureau all of the assets had been relocated back to Congaree Air Base.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1955<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 While being checked out\u00a0in 1958 in Louisville, Kentucky, MAJ Wade Franklin lost brakes and ran off the right side of the dirt airstrip\u00a0thus damaging the landing gear.\u00a0\u00a0The last three of the tail number were 694.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Need\u00a0your picture of the St. Matthews Armory here.\u00a0 Please share.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior to 1 Apr 1959 the South Carolina piece of the 51st Infantry Division Headquarters\"51st<\/a> was located in St. Matthews, South Carolina. Resulting from a major reorganization within the Army National Guard, the 51st Aviation (Along with 451st Aircraft Maintenance Detachment) replaced the Division Headquarters in St. Matthews but remained an element of the 51st Infantry Division.\u00a0 MAJ William P. (Billy) Dent became the Commander on 1 Apr 1959.\u00a0 MSG David Ayers was the First Sergeant<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This change caused new MOS training and recruiting to fill vacancies in the TOE. \u00a0The 51st Aviation being the only stand-alone aviation company in the state at that time was the natural for becoming the parent unit for AASF.\u00a0\u00a0By being the parent unit for the AASF, it allowed for any special tools organic to the unit needed at the AASF to be hand receipted to the facility for everyday maintenance of aircraft being worked on at the hanger located on Congaree Air Base.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\"SIGN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Congaree Air Base\u00a0was\u00a0renamed McEntire Air National Guard Base in October 1961 by Governor Ernest F. Hollings in honor of Brigadier General Barnie B. McEntire, Jr.\u00a0\u00a0BG\u00a0McEntire was the first commander of the South Carolina Air National Guard and its first general officer.\u00a0He died on 25 May 1961 while attempting to land his malfunctioning F-104 in the Susquehanna River to not only avoid crashing into\u00a0a populated area but to also save the airplane so\u00a0the engine flameout could be investigated\u00a0to determine the cause for multiple previous flameouts among the F-104 fleet.<\/strong><\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"51st<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"patch\"<\/a> <\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1963 \u2013 51st Aviation reorganized as 51st Aviation Company and was no longer assigned to the 51st Infantry Division. \u00a0(The 51st Infantry Division was deactivated as a result of the 1963 major reorganization within the National Guard.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"1961<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1LT Hugh G. Baiden\u00a0came on board in aviation when he graduated from flight school as a fixed wing pilot in 1964.\u00a0 Prior to flight school he\u00a0served as\u00a0an Armor Officer. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1965 0701 – After\u00a0a trial period to evaluate the multiple\u00a0week-end unit training assemblies,\u00a0all units in the South Carolina National Guard officially started training one weekend a month instead of the traditional one night a week.\u00a0\u00a0Larger scale training opportunities were enhanced by the implementation of this concept.\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \"fort \u00a0 \u00a0\"IMG_2282ax\" \u00a0 \u00a0 \"IMG_2281\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 On drill weekend the company used the Fort Motte Strip for a staging area. Fort Motte Strip was a leased property. Unit volunteers provided the overnight security of the airplanes. All of this \u201cgetting the job done\u201d was in true spirit of the hometown Guard.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"CPT<\/a><\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 CPT Richard\u00a0B. (Dicky)\u00a0Brockman, a Palmetto Military Academy graduate and flight school graduate left South Carolina for a tour in the Republic of South Viet Nam in December 1966.\u00a0 Sadly, he very quickly became a fallen comrade on 17 Jan 1967 while flying with 118th AHC, 145th CAB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1968 \u2013 51st Aviation Company became 51st Aviation Company (Airmobile) authorized CH-34 helicopters.\u00a0 \"1971\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Frank Lloyd and Claude Lott ferried the first aircraft to McEntire.\u00a0 (Claude Lott was on Active Duty at the time but was recruited to help\u00a0ferry the aircraft to MMT.)\u00a0 CW2 Robert C. Leopold was first rated CH-34 pilot in SCARNG.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"30th<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1968 0101 – Along with the reorganization of 30th Infantry Division\u00a0in 1968\u00a0where 2nd Brigade, 30th Infantry Division (Mechanized) became the South Carolina brigade of the division came a slight\u00a0growth in the aviation program.\u00a0\u00a0HHC, 2nd Brigade received OH-13 and OH-23 helicopters (two of each) assigned to\u00a0its aviation section.\u00a0 CPT Charlie Smoak was the Aviation Section Leader and SSG Jerry Neese was the Section NCO\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1971 brought about major change within the entire Army National Guard. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01971 0501 \u2013 The 51st Aviation Company (Airmobile) was reorganized as 51st Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter).\u00a0 Initially, in lieu of<\/strong> UH-1 helicopters several CH-34\u2019s were carried over.\u00a0 The UH-1\u2019s started showing up in early 1972.\u00a0 Also, Detachment 1, 51st Aviation Company was organized in Eastover (McEntire) with the mission to provide limited Direct Support Maintenance for the 51st Aviation Company.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Detachment 1 was commanded by CPT Phil Fidler.\u00a0 SFC James C. Wagers was the Detachment NCO.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Additionally, in South Carolina\u00a0HHB, 151st Field Artillery picked-up an aviation\u00a0section containing six\u00a0OH-58A\u2019s with seasoned former\u00a0Viet Nam pilots assigned to the unit’s pilot positions.\u00a0 Additionally, 108th Signal Battalion picked-up an OH-58A; D Co, 122nd Engineers picked-up a UH-1 in their MTOE; and HHC, 228th Signal Group picked up a\u00a0U-8, UH-1H\u2019s, and\u00a0OH-58A\u2019s in their MTOE.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reorganization for the 51st Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter) took place again 1 Dec 1971.\u00a0 The 51st Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter) was reorganized as the 51st Assault Helicopter Company.\u00a0 As part of this reorganization Detachment 1, 51st Aviation Company, became the 51st Assault Helicopter Company\u2019s Maintenance Platoon.\u00a0 These changes resulted from\u00a0mission statement changes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By this time a large pool of prior service personnel existed with a\u00a0wide base of experience\u00a0from former officer and enlisted\u00a0members of such units as:\u00a0 1st AVN Bde\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 1st Inf Div\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 4th Avn Bn\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0\u00a07\/17 Air Cav\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 11th ACR \u2013 15th Med Det (Med Evac), 1st Cav\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 20th Eng Bde, Avn Sect\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0\u00a042nd AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 48th AHC\u00a0 \u2013 68th AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 92nd AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 114th AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 117th AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 118th AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 134th AHC\u00a0\u00a0\u2013\u00a0\u00a0173rd AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 174th AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 \u00a0176th AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 187th AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 190th\u00a0 AHC\u00a0 \u2013 \u00a0195th AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 198th Inf Bde, Americal Div\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 205th Avn Co\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 220th\u00a0 Avn Co\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0\u00a0229th AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 240th AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 268th CAB\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 317th Air Cav\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 327th Air Cav\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 334th AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 335th AHC\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 409th TC Det\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 498th Med Co\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 B Co, 4th Inf Div\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 B Trp, 1\/9th\u00a0 Cav\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0\u00a0B Co, 25th Avn Bn\u00a0 \u2013 \u00a0C Co, 101Avn Bn\u00a0 \u2013\u00a0 D\/3\/5 Air Cav.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1972 – \u00a02nd Brigade, 30th Infantry Division (Mechanized) OH-13 and OH-23 aircraft were replaced by OH-58A aircraft.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MAJ Thomas Alexander assumed commander of the 51st Assault Helicopter\u00a0Company from MAJ Marion H, Kinnon during Annual Training of 1972 at Camp Blanding, Florida.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01SG Ben Carroll was the First Sergeant at the time.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 While at Annual Training in August of 1972, the Maintenance\u00a0Platoon of the 51st Aviation Company\u00a0completed their first UH-1H Preventive Maintenance Periodic Inspection (PMP)\u00a0on aircraft 71-20003.\u00a0 This PMP was completed after the unit moved out on their field exercise under field conditions.\u00a0 It is well to note here that after taking all of the available UH-1\u2019s to Camp Blanding, Florida for two weeks all of them were flown back to South Carolina with the exception of one UH-1H,\u00a0tail number 391, that\u00a0was NMCS for a main rotor blade due to lightning strike.\u00a0 The aircraft was recovered as soon as the blade was delivered to Camp Blanding.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One PFC was overheard saying that if he had been paid 50 cents per write-up, he had worked off he would have made more money than he was paid as a PFC for AT at Camp\u00a0Blanding.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The completion\u00a0of\u00a0annual training in August 1972 set a benchmark for the first 25 years of South Carolina Army National Guard Aviation.\u00a0 The second 25 years begins now.\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1973-<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1973 \u2013 PVT Sylvia H. Hydrick became the first female soldier to enlist in a unit of the aviation community.\u00a0 As a member of the 51st Aviation Company in St. Matthews, PVT Hydrick completed Combat Basic Training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama where she graduated as the Honor Graduate.<\/strong><\/p>\n

.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1973<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As the size of the aviation program grew, the hanger also had to grow.\u00a0 The new AASF hanger was completed in\u00a0the Spring of 1973.\u00a0 After the parent unit, 51st Assault Helicopter Company, returned from AT that year the hanger was occupied.\u00a0 Actually, before the unit returned aircraft 68-15422\u00a0was sling loaded back from Travis ANB in Savannah and placed on the ramp of the new hanger.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All Aviation\u00a0Organizational and Direct Support\u00a0level maintenance was being accomplished by mechanics at the Army Aviation Support Facility and all Depot level work being accomplished by the Atlanta Army Depot.\u00a0 Depot level maintenance remained in Atlanta until the Mississippi Transportation Repair Shop (MSTARS) came online in 1973.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"218th_Infantry_Brigade<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1974 0104 – The 30th Infantry Division was deactivated, and 2nd Brigade, 30th Infantry Division, became the 218th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) (Separate) in Newberry, South Carolina.\u00a0 The aviation section grew to four OH-58’s and two UH-1H’s.\u00a0 MAJ Phil Fidler was the new Aviation Section Leader and SFC Ronnie Spigner was the Section NCO.<\/strong><\/p>\n

.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Eastover<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1977 12 \u2013 51st Assault Helicopter Company relocated from the St. Matthews Armory to the newly constructed Eastover Armory.\u00a0 The new armory is located on Hwy 378 adjacent to McEntire Air National Guard Base.\u00a0 A major by-product of this move eliminated a need for lots of commuting time back and forth from the St Matthews Armory to the flight line.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1978 \u2013\u00a0Shortly after moving to the Eastover Armory, 51st Assault Helicopte<\/b>\"Trp<\/a>r Company was reorganized once again.\u00a0 This reorganization changed the assault company to Troop D, 1st Squadron, 101st Cavalry becoming aligned with the 42nd Infantry Division located in New York.\u00a0 This change was a pivotal point for the aviation program in SCARNG.\u00a0 The overall program became more tactical thus, leaving behind all so familiar point A to point B flying environment.\u00a0 The new Troop consisted of a HQS Platoon, a Recon Platoon, a Gun Platoon, an Observation Platoon, and a Maintenance Platoon.\u00a0\u00a0The adding of an Observation Platoon brought with it an additional 10 ea. OH-58A\u2019s increasing the total number of OH-58A\u2019s within the state.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MAJ D. Edward Baxley was the Troop Commander and 1SG Dewey Bullman was the First Sergeant at the time.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"\" \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"902<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The 659th Medical Detachment (Air Ambulance) was organized in July 1980 and\u00a0became a tenant of the Eastover Armory.\u00a0 The detachment\u00a0was made\u00a0up\u00a0of six\u00a0UH-1V aircraft with the pilots, medics, maintenance personnel, and other support personnel to satisfy the MTOE mission.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1980<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1981 0919 – \u00a0\u00a0 On what seemed like a normal flight on a nice, quiet day, it became necessary for CW3 Lem Grant while flying a mission in UH-1M, 66-643. to react to an in-flight emergency not addressed in the -10 Operator\u2019s Manual.\u00a0 On decent the engine wasn\u2019t properly responding to the governor.\u00a0 The end result was Mr. Grant shut off the main fuel and auto rotated down to a cornfield.\u00a0\u00a0Fortunately, the only damage to the aircraft was to the landing gear cross tubes.\u00a0 Mr. Grant received the Broke Wing Award during the 3rd Quarter of FY 83.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1983 – The 6:1 camouflage BDU’s were being issued.\u00a0\u00a0The light weight BDU’s were being developed but not quite there yet.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Everybody remembers the 1983 PT\u00a0program change.\u00a0 Prior to 1983 everyone had to walk 4 miles in less than an hour to pass the PT test.\u00a0 Now members of the Guard had to complete the three-event sit-up, push-up, and two mile run commensurate with their age group to pass the test.\u00a0\u00a0The PT\u00a0test\u00a0was not a new experience for those of us who had recently attended an active-duty school because a\u00a0pre-requisite for attendance in most cases was to pass the three event PT test.\u00a0\u00a0 Initially, participation was slowly received and everybody kind of eased into the program.\u00a0 \u00a0However, it didn’t take long before the new PT test became the norm.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"1984\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"1984<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1983 05 \u2013 Troop D, 1st Squadron, 101st Cavalry traveled to Camp Blanding, Florida where the unit successfully challenged the Pinecastle Electronic Warfare Range in Pinecastle, Florida.\u00a0 The mission for the gunships was to move forward while being guided by OH-58 scout aircraft and attack predetermined targets while not being detected by avoiding Naval Radar.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"Lamdmesser<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"Thornton<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 These stained windows were installed in\u00a0the Chapel at McCrady Training Center in memory of\u00a0two fallen comrades in Nov 1983.\u00a0 The window on the left was \u201d PRESENTED IN MEMORY OF CW3 DONALD F. LANDMESSER,\u00a0 8 JUN 45 \u2013 14 NOV 83, BY THE AVIATION COMMUNITY, SCARNG\u201d\u00a0 The window on the\u00a0right was\u201d\u00a0PRESENTED IN MEMORY OF SSG DONALD E. THORNTON, JR.\u00a0 7 OCT 51 \u2013 14 NOV 83, BY THE AVIATION COMUNITY, SCARNG\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The opportunity\u00a0presented itself to\u00a0have these windows dedicated due to the Chapel being moved from its location on Ft Jackson proper to its present location at McCrady Training Center and in need of replacement windows.\u00a0\u00a0The aviation leadership, both officer and NCO, took advantage of the opportunity to collectively provide for the installation of one of the chapel windows in memory of our recent fallen comrades.\u00a0 As a result, the of entire aviation community coming together and much to the surprise of everyone, the two dedications were made after just one passing of the hat.\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1986 01 \u2013 During the first drill weekend after the 12 Dec 1985 chartered flight, Arrow Air Flight 1285, crash that claimed the lives of 248 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division on their way from the dessert to Ft. Campbell for the Christmas holidays, SGT Tony Denning was instrumental in a moment of silence observance and taking up a collection that was sent to the families.\u00a0\u00a0 (Note: Just over a year earlier, a young man working as a custodian at AASF became so impressed with the military that he joined the Army and became a combat medic.\u00a0 SP4 Calvin McWhite was on flight 1285.)\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"1976<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"1990<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1986 1002 \u2013 Troop D, 1st Squadron, 101st Cavalry was reorganized as 51st Aviation Battalion (Attack Helicopter).\u00a0 This reorganization process meant the transition would be straight from UH-1M gunships and UH-1H\u2019s to AH-64A\u2019s and UH-60A\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0This type of transition would be a first of a kind for the National Guard and generated lots of MOS and pilot transition training.\u00a0 Troop D had 125% strength at the time so the increase in authorized personnel was quickly overcome.\u00a0 Slotting of personnel from Troop D was not very difficult because if you were to look at the Troop MTOE it looked somewhat like a mini battalion.\u00a0 There was a HQS Platoon, a Recon Platoon, a Gun Platoon, an Observation Platoon, and a Maintenance Platoon.\u00a0 The 51st Aviation Battalion came with a Headquarters and Service Company, three Attack Companies, and D Company for maintenance.<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

LTC Mark V. Rhett was the first commander of the new battalion while CSM Carlyle Wood was the first Command Sergeant Major.<\/b><\/p>\n

\"1987<\/a><\/p>\n

. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01987 \u2013 BG Marion H. Kinnon was the first South Carolina Army National Guard Aviator General Officer serving as Deputy Adjutant General to then Adjutant General, MG T. Eston Marchant.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"1987<\/a>\u00a0 \"1987<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 During the period 8 thru 22 August 1987, the 659th Med Det went to Gagetown, Canada for annual training thus becoming the first South Carolina aviation unit to deploy outside of the Continental United States.\u00a0 In route to Canada the flight passed through New York where the flight crews saw many views similar these.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"0034<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"0033<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>When traveling outside of the USA everyone is subject to process through customs.\u00a0 You might even receive a parking ticket if you park in the wrong place.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1987 1201 \u2013 51st Aviation Battalion (Attack Helicopter) was re-designated to 1st Battalion, 151st Aviation (Attack Helicopter) to be in alignment with the regimental system.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0After\u00a0enough\u00a0individual transition training was completed,\u00a01\/151 AVN (AAH)\u00a0sent a cadre from all aspects of the battalion\u00a0to Ft. Hood, Texas from 4 Jul 1988 thru 4 Oct 1988 to participate\u00a0with 3\/229 AVN (AAH) while they\u00a0were preparing for their fielding ARTEP.\u00a0 This training proved invaluable\u00a0when our battalion\u00a0started training up in preparation for ARTEP.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"1989<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Father\u2019s Day weekend in 1989 was quite an eye opener as to what the weather is capable of doing on short notice.\u00a0 On Friday, 16 Jun 1989 at approximately 16:40,\u00a0McEntire experienced an unusual\u00a0Micro Burst storm where the\u00a0wind and rain\u00a0was on top of\u00a0the base\u00a0without any warning.\u00a0 Suddenly, the wind started blowing and shaking the hanger doors to the point where two of the six doors were partially off the track at the bottom.\u00a0 After it\u2019s passing we had\u00a0seven APACHE\u2019s over on their sides and one nearly upside down.\u00a0 ( A note here: Maintenance personnel with the assistance of two outstanding crane operators were able to upright the aircraft without any additional damage.)\u00a0 The way the wind was blowing across the Main Blades one would have to think the aircraft actually flew over on their sides instead of being physically blown over.\u00a0 All of the 0H-58\u2019s rotated to the left into the wind and remained upright.\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Need\u00a0your picture of AT in Iceland here.\u00a0 Please share.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On Saturday, 17 June 1989, the 659th Medical Detachment departed for Annual Training in Iceland.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Need your picture of award<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>The South Carolina Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment, is one of seven National Guard AH-64 Apache attack helicopter battalions in the Army and was named the Army Aviation Association’s Outstanding Army Guard Aviation Unit in 1996<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 E Co, 151st Det1 was organized in 1996.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0\"\"\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To support the 1996\u00a0Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, a\u00a0group of 10 officers and 15 enlisted men were in Atlanta serving as part of the Aviation Task Force.\u00a0 They were awarded a Georgia Olympic Ribbon for their job well done.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Need\u00a0your picture of AT in Panama here.\u00a0 Please share.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 E Co, 151st Avn Det1 went to Panama for Annual Training\u00a0in 1997\u00a0with a\u00a0mission duration of six months.\u00a0\u00a0To accomplish the mission, members of the unit rotated in and out for the duration.\u00a0 CPT Shufford, the OIC and three enlisted men were there for the entire period.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 September 1997 set the benchmark for the completion the first 50 years of South Carolina Army National Guard Aviation. The third 25 years begins now.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0\"\"\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"AVCATT\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In 2002 South Carolina received its first Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT) trailers.\u00a0 Don Smith was the first Battle Master for the Eastover AVCATT Program\u00a0where the area of responsibility covered all training east of the Mississippi River.\u00a0 During the first two years from September 2003 until November 2005, equipment and personnel traveled over 67,000 miles and trained more than 4,000 aviators.\u00a0 AVCATT is a mobile,\u00a0transportable, multi-station virtual simulation device that supports unit in collective and combat arms training for helicopter crews.\u00a0\u00a0The AVCRATT is composed of two trailers per suite with six reconfigurable modules for Apache Longbow, Chinook, and Blackhawk.\u00a0 AVCATT uses Helmet Mounted Display for out-the window scenes.<\/b><\/p>\n

\"2003<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2003 09 \u2013 \u00a0\u00a0The members of Company A, 2\/149th Aviation Battalion conducted weekend training exercise at McEntire Joint National Guard Base in September 2003 becoming the first South Carolina Unit to schedule and train with the Aviation Combined Tactical Trainer (AVCATT).\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"OLYMPUS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Eastover AVCATT was later\u00a0chosen by Aeronautical Systems Center (AFMC) in Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to participate in C-5 loadouts, tight but a successful move. <\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"2004<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This\u00a0photo appeared in the December 6, 2004, edition of The Olympia Observer published for Task Force Olympia\u00a0soldiers serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom II.\u00a0 The front page article featured \u00a0six members of the 1st Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment who had all previously served combat tours in Viet Nam and\u00a0were then serving in Iraq qualifying them for their second combat patch.<\/b><\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

\"2010<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2010 08 \u2013 BG Lester D. Eisner was promoted to\u00a0Major General becoming the first South Carolina Army National Guard Aviator Major General serving as Deputy Adjutant General.<\/strong><\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 201l 1201 marked 25 years of AH-64 and UH-60 helicopters in the South Carolina Army National Guard.\u00a0 Lots and lots of water have run under the bridge during that span.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Eric<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 CW5 Eric Seymore\u00a0retired on 5 Jan 2014 after 44 years of service to the US Army and the South Carolina Army National Guard.\u00a0 His retirement ceremony\u00a0marks a significant changing of the guard within the state as he was the\u00a0last Viet Nam Veteran\u00a0serving SCARNG.\u00a0 Little did he know when he joined the 51st Assault Helicopter Company in 1972 that he was starting a new military family tradition.\u00a0 When\u00a0CW5 Seymore retired both of his sons, CPT Seymore and\u00a01LT Seymore were serving in the SCARNG.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\"S.C.<\/a>\u00a0 \"S.C.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After sixty-six years the second Army Aviation Support Facility, AASF #2, was built.\u00a0 The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony took place on 19 Feb 2014 at Donaldson Center in Greenville, South Carolina.\u00a0 LTC Charlie Lewis was the first Facility Commander.\u00a0 (See AASF#2<\/span><\/a> on the navigation bar for additional photos.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"2015<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2015 1024 – 59th Aviation Troop Command hosted an Aviation Ball in Columbia.\u00a0 Even though recovery from the massive amounts of rainfall and flooding that took place the first weekend of the month was still ongoing, the event took place without a hitch.\u00a0 Some 250+ members and guests were in attendance as all units were well represented.\u00a0 <\/strong>We\u00a0shall all be anxiously awaiting the next Aviation Ball.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2022 0331 – This picture is a remake of when the first APACHES were rolled out. \u00a0 Now the APACHE battalion is outfitted with the AH-64E models.\u00a0 (See <\/span>Then and Now<\/span><\/a><\/span>)
<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

2022 0902 – Today, 2 Sep 2022, marks 75 years of Army Aviation as we know it within the South Carolina Army National Guard.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \"\"\u00a0 \u00a0\"\" \u00a0<\/p>\n

These two were the first aviation personnel to report for duty.<\/span><\/p>\n

More to come… please share.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome Again to SCARNG Aviation Pictorial History The story begins in September 1947. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Although the South Carolina Army National Guard was originally formed in 1670 and Army Aviation was born in June 1942 with field artillery units being outfitted with organic air observation fixed wing aircraft for the purpose of becoming the forward eyes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3125","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3125"}],"version-history":[{"count":167,"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6018,"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3125\/revisions\/6018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scarngavpicthistory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}