Between work, flying, and working on project backlogs, plane-spotting and aviation photography has been on a bit of a hiatus on my part. But I did get something worth noting today, as I've been trying to find some time to photograph a Grumman OV-1 Mohawk that was just recently put on display right here in Salem!
I didn't know this previously, but the Army Guard unit here in Salem used to operate the venerable OV-1 Mohawk over a 20 year span from 1972 until 1992 (just goes to show that there's local military aviation history everywhere you go!). The plane on display in Salem, affectionately known as Mohawk #926, was one of 21 OV-1s based here, making it a significant piece of Oregon's history. The group responsible for the restoration and eventual donation and display of the aircraft,
The Mohawk #926 Project spent three years working to acquire and restore the aircraft for display, which was recently completed with a dedication ceremony that took place on November 2, 2019.
Salem (SLE) 33
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| United States Army Grumman OV-1D Mohawk (67-18926) on permanent display outside the Oregon Army National Guard Aviation Support Facility. |
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| Mohawk #926 was assigned to the 641st Military Intelligence Battalion from September 1973 until July 1989. It was a "dual stick" aircraft, so it served as the unit's trainer to help OV-1 crews maintain currency in the type. It also served other roles such as border surveillance for the United States Border Patrol, photo mapping for various state and federal agencies, and most notably, monitoring Mt. Saint Helens for the United States Geological Service before and after the 1980 eruption. |
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| Mohawk #926 last saw combat during Operation Desert Storm in Iraq as one of the last OV-1s to be deployed before being retired. It's gratifying to see such a unique aircraft with local history and ties preserved and displayed right where it belongs! |
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