Lee Erwin Reporting
lerwin@clarksvillenow.com
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Pilots from the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment held their final training flight from Fort Campbell with their OH-58D Kiowa Warriors Tuesday, March 31. The 21 aircraft and crews conducted formation flight training in and around Fort Campbell, Clarksville and Hopkinsville.
The pilots were performing large scale multi-ship flight training as they prepare for squadron aircraft divestiture flights to Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. The OH-58D are being retired by the Army and the 2nd of the 17th will be receiving AH-64 Apache helicopters.
Major Shoshannah Lane led the training flight and shared her experience. “It was absolutely amazing, a beautiful day to fly, a great thing to be a part of and we couldn’t ask for much better for this historic moment in the squadron’s history,” said Lane.
Tuesday’s flight was the last for one pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 5, AJ “Bud” Kenney who is retiring and received an award from his fellow soldiers. Kenney spoke with pride when he said has been in the Army 28 years and adds he has been flying for 21 of those years.
Kenny talked about the aircraft that he has been flying for hisentire military career saying even though the Army is phasing out the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, it will be a shame to see it go away because it’s a very reliable aircraft and you can always count on it.
One of the aircraft flown Tuesday will find a new home at the Don F. Pratt Pratt Museum at Fort Campbell when it is flown there on April 22. Read story here:
See VIDEO below: