Gallery Update: Ex-Army Chinook Sighting in Salem!

Once again, I get another unique spotting opportunity! And again, it happens right when I'm flying around! After getting back from a quick flight, I was meeting my parents for lunch at the Flight Deck Restaurant & Lounge on the grounds of Salem Airport when I noticed a former Army Chinook helicopter parked on the ramp. Of course, I wasn't about pass up an opportunity to photograph a unique visitor to my current home airport!

As it turns out, it's got a civilian registration and is owned by San Bernardino, California-based Unical Group subsidiary Unical Defense, an aviation company that specializes in providing parts and support for a variety of aircraft types. Another company under the Unical umbrella is Coulson Aviation, an aerial firefighting company, which operates ex-military Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters that have been converted to provide helitanker support; it is heavily implied that this Chinook that I saw is going to Coulson for their tanker ops and was in Salem to get painted.

Salem (SLE) 38

Preview:

Unical Defense Boeing CH-47D Chinook (N160CZ) parked on the ramp after arriving from Medford earlier this morning. Apparently in town to get painted. Talk about a half-naked Chinook!

Formerly in service with the United States Army as 93-00934. Airframe is most likely a part of the joint-venture of Unical and Coulson Aviation and will be converted into an air tanker for Coulson's aerial firefighting operations.