Fort Campbell, KY. – It was an historic day at Fort Campbell Wednesday, April 22 as the Don F. Pratt Museum became the proud recipient an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter from the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.

(PHOTOS: Look inside the Don F. Pratt Museum)

It was the final flight for the aircraft, numbered 008, which was flown to the museum for retirement where it will become a static display at an outdoor park across from the museum along with other retired military aircraft and equipment used by the 101st.

On its brief flight over Fort Campbell, Kiowa Warrior 008 was flown by Lieutenant Colonel Jack Murphy, Commander of the unit and Chief Warrant Officer AJ “Bud” Kenney who is retiring from the Army after 28 years of service, 21 of those years flying Kiowa’s.

Colonel Murphy praised the museum for their support of the Kiowa Warrior. “Thanks to the gentlemen here at the Pratt museum for giving us a place of honor for this airframe, and a place of honor for us to carry on the legacy of this squadron,” said Murphy.

The 008 has been around since 1970 with several modifications over the years. The helicopter arrived at Fort Campbell in 1996 and has seen action in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan logging over 7,555 hours of flight time. Its last combat tour was in 2012 in Afghanistan.

The Army is retiring the Kiowa Warriors and the remaining 20 aircraft from the squadron are headed for Arizona. Read story here:

As soldiers with the unit waited for the aircraft to arrive at the museum, Captain Jerry Gorss talked about the Kiowa. “It’s bittersweet because we’re retiring an aircraft that has been so influential in the wars we’ve been fighting for the ground forces and to this division,” said Gorss.

Dan Peterson, Director of the Don F. Pratt Museum talked about having the Kiowa Warrior on display. “It’s really a great addition to the museum. Now we have a great piece of Army history that will be preserved indefinitely,” Peterson said.

The museum offers a history of the 101st Airborne Division featuring a reference library and archives, both guided and unguided tours, (reservations are required), daily historical films, a gift shop, lectures and educational programs.

The Don F. Pratt Museum is at 5702 Tennessee Avenue on Fort Campbell. They are open Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For more information or to schedule tours or briefings, call 270-798-3215. The museum’s gift shop phone number is 931-431-2003.