The Mohawk #926 Display was Dedicated Nov 2, 2019
The Dedication of the OV-1 Mohawk #926 Display was held on Nov 2, 2019 to celebrate 20 years of service of the OV-1 Mohawks based at the Oregon National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) at 1921 Turner Rd SE, Salem OR 97302 from 1972 to 1992. The Display is located outside the main entrance to the AASF. It's a beautiful display with night lighting on the East-side of the Salem Airport , so come by and take a few minutes to look at a beautiful military aircraft and celebrate its service to the Pacific NW. After more than 3 + years of restoration efforts by volunteers & generous financial donations by supporters, restoration of #926 was finally complete and it was placed into position at the Display on October 23, 2019. The Dedication ceremony was attended by more than 275 friends, supporters, military retirees & their families on a brilliantly clear day with beautiful blue skies. It was a truly memorable event! Those of us with the Mohawk #926 Project want to express our heartfelt thanks to all of the supporters & volunteers that made this #926 Display possible!
The Mohawk #926 Display will not only preserve the exceptional 20-year legacy of the OV-1 Mohawks in Oregon, but will also honor LTC Robert G. Nopp and SSG Marshall F. Kipina, the Mohawk aircrew that was lost over Laos during the Vietnam War in 1966. Robert Nopp was from Salem and his family still reside here. The Mohawk #926 Display will also honor SFC Kimberly D. (Robinson) Jark, who in September 1974 became the first female in the U.S. Army to qualify as an OV-1 Mohawk Technical Observer (T.O.) / Airborne Specialist to operate airborne sensors as a crew member on Mohawk missions! At the time of her ground breaking achievement, SFC Kimberly Jark was assigned to the Salem Mohawk unit!
Since the Mohawk #926 Project will continue to need support for periodic maintenance of the #926 Display, we will continue to need donations!
Mohawk #926 Project LLC qualifies as a tax deductible IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to Acquiring, Restoring, Displaying, & Donating Mohawk #926 to the Oregon National Guard Military Museum.
Donations can either be made at this GoFundMe site or by check directly to:
Mohawk #926 Project, LLC
333 South State St. Ste V-174
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Charles Rosenfeld, Co-Chairman
Oregon Army National Guard, Maj. Gen. Ret.
&
Gary Clark "SCAN 17", Co-Chairman
Oregon Army National Guard, Capt. Ret.
Additional information at:
Web: www.Mohawk926Project.com
OV-1D Mohawk #67-18926 is an Army reconnaissance aircraft that served its country and the State of Oregon well! On September 7, 1973, Mohawk #926 was assigned to the 1042 MI Co at the Oregon National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) at the Salem Airport. The 1042 MI Co was later re-designated the 641st MI BN. Mohawk #926 continued to serve at Salem until July of 1989. After it's service in Oregon, it was deployed to the first Gulf War in November of 1990 and was based in Saudi Arabia (The first Gulf War was from 2 August 1990 to 28 February 1991, code named "Operation Desert Shield"), making it one of the last OV-1 Mohawks to see combat! Mohawk #926 returned from the Middle East to Ft Hood Texas in August of 1991. #926 was then decommissioned, left service, and was demilitarized on Nov 2, 1994. Mohawk Technology in Lantana Florida acquired #926 under an Army contract on August 16, 1995 to test new airborne sensors, and began the process of reassembling & refurbishing #926 to make it airworthy. In November of 1996, #926 was certified by the FAA for Experimental/Exhibition flight and Mohawk Tech then ran #926 under Army Contract & commercially until late 2005. Now that #926 is home and restored, let's display it!
While in Oregon, #926 was involved in a number of public support missions for the State of Oregon, USGS, and the US Military. The "SCAN" call signs were used by the Salem Oregon flight crews. In 1980, #926 was active in monitoring Mt St Helens for the USGS both before & after the eruption.
Below is an early '70s archive photo of #926 flown by Curt Degner "SCAN 23" (top) leading a formation of Mohawks. The 2nd (middle) OV-1 is flown by Stephen Hammons "SCAN 21" and the 3rd (lower) OV-1 is flown by George Burns "SCAN 09" as they pass by Mt. Hood. You can just barely make out "926" on the tail of the lead Mohawk.
With its "operational days" over, #926 is currently in storage in Florida...and in immediate need of restoration.
Now that #926 has been brought home to Oregon and restored, it's time to display it. The Display site will be outside the main entrance to Oregon Army National Guard Aviation Support Facility (AASF) on the east side of the Salem Airport, where it will be fully accessible by the public. Estimate costs for the Display are approximately $45,000. The "Project" needs donations to build the Display.
"Mohawk #926 Project" is an Oregon LLC that meets the IRS 501 (c) (3) requirements as a charitable non-profit organization. That means your donation is tax deductible. Additionally for donations of $100 or more, you will be recognized for your donation on a special donor panel sign at the Mohawk #926 Display outside the main entrance to the Salem AASF on the east side of the Salem Airport. We encourage individuals, businesses, & organizations to become involved to help us preserve the OV-1s legacy in Oregon.
Any size donation will be greatly appreciated! Learn more about the history of Mohawk #926 and the Salem OV-1 unit missions at our website.
________________
The following provides "Development & Operational Parameters" of the OV-1 Mohawk followed with archive photos of #926:
The Grumman OV-1 Mohawk was an armed military observation and attack aircraft, designed for battlefield surveillance and light strike capabilities. It was a twin turboprop configuration, and carried two crew members in side-by-side seating.
Powered by 2-Lycoming T53-L-701 turboprops at 1,400 SHP each, the OV-1 had a max speed of 305 mph (265kts) with a service ceiling of 25,000ft. Max. takeoff weight: 18,109 lb.
The OV-1 offered a wide variety of reconnaissance
capabilities including a forward looking panoramic camera in the nose plus vertical & side looking belly mount cameras. Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) was also a feature set as were Infrared cameras. Photo mapping & US border surveillance was a frequent mission requirement for the Oregon unit.
More aircraft performance data can be found at Wikipedia.
Archive photos of #926. The first 5 photos are courtesy of Robert Ellis, the 6th photo courtesy of Paul Pefley, and the last (7th) photo courtesy of J Munos:
Join with us in the Mohawk #926 Project and help us to preserve the legacy of the OV-1 Mohawks, their service to Oregon, and their support of a variety of important missions throughout our country and the world! All donations will be gratefully received. Also, let us know if you are available to work on the restoration! Receive lasting recognition for your donation of funds & labor at the Mohawk #926 Display.
Contact us:
Mohawk #926 Project, LLC
333 South State St. Ste V-174
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Web: www.Mohawk926Project.com
The Mohawk #926 Display will not only preserve the exceptional 20-year legacy of the OV-1 Mohawks in Oregon, but will also honor LTC Robert G. Nopp and SSG Marshall F. Kipina, the Mohawk aircrew that was lost over Laos during the Vietnam War in 1966. Robert Nopp was from Salem and his family still reside here. The Mohawk #926 Display will also honor SFC Kimberly D. (Robinson) Jark, who in September 1974 became the first female in the U.S. Army to qualify as an OV-1 Mohawk Technical Observer (T.O.) / Airborne Specialist to operate airborne sensors as a crew member on Mohawk missions! At the time of her ground breaking achievement, SFC Kimberly Jark was assigned to the Salem Mohawk unit!
Since the Mohawk #926 Project will continue to need support for periodic maintenance of the #926 Display, we will continue to need donations!
Mohawk #926 Project LLC qualifies as a tax deductible IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to Acquiring, Restoring, Displaying, & Donating Mohawk #926 to the Oregon National Guard Military Museum.
Donations can either be made at this GoFundMe site or by check directly to:
Mohawk #926 Project, LLC
333 South State St. Ste V-174
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Charles Rosenfeld, Co-Chairman
Oregon Army National Guard, Maj. Gen. Ret.
&
Gary Clark "SCAN 17", Co-Chairman
Oregon Army National Guard, Capt. Ret.
Additional information at:
Web: www.Mohawk926Project.com
OV-1D Mohawk #67-18926 is an Army reconnaissance aircraft that served its country and the State of Oregon well! On September 7, 1973, Mohawk #926 was assigned to the 1042 MI Co at the Oregon National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) at the Salem Airport. The 1042 MI Co was later re-designated the 641st MI BN. Mohawk #926 continued to serve at Salem until July of 1989. After it's service in Oregon, it was deployed to the first Gulf War in November of 1990 and was based in Saudi Arabia (The first Gulf War was from 2 August 1990 to 28 February 1991, code named "Operation Desert Shield"), making it one of the last OV-1 Mohawks to see combat! Mohawk #926 returned from the Middle East to Ft Hood Texas in August of 1991. #926 was then decommissioned, left service, and was demilitarized on Nov 2, 1994. Mohawk Technology in Lantana Florida acquired #926 under an Army contract on August 16, 1995 to test new airborne sensors, and began the process of reassembling & refurbishing #926 to make it airworthy. In November of 1996, #926 was certified by the FAA for Experimental/Exhibition flight and Mohawk Tech then ran #926 under Army Contract & commercially until late 2005. Now that #926 is home and restored, let's display it!
While in Oregon, #926 was involved in a number of public support missions for the State of Oregon, USGS, and the US Military. The "SCAN" call signs were used by the Salem Oregon flight crews. In 1980, #926 was active in monitoring Mt St Helens for the USGS both before & after the eruption.
Below is an early '70s archive photo of #926 flown by Curt Degner "SCAN 23" (top) leading a formation of Mohawks. The 2nd (middle) OV-1 is flown by Stephen Hammons "SCAN 21" and the 3rd (lower) OV-1 is flown by George Burns "SCAN 09" as they pass by Mt. Hood. You can just barely make out "926" on the tail of the lead Mohawk.
With its "operational days" over, #926 is currently in storage in Florida...and in immediate need of restoration.
Now that #926 has been brought home to Oregon and restored, it's time to display it. The Display site will be outside the main entrance to Oregon Army National Guard Aviation Support Facility (AASF) on the east side of the Salem Airport, where it will be fully accessible by the public. Estimate costs for the Display are approximately $45,000. The "Project" needs donations to build the Display.
"Mohawk #926 Project" is an Oregon LLC that meets the IRS 501 (c) (3) requirements as a charitable non-profit organization. That means your donation is tax deductible. Additionally for donations of $100 or more, you will be recognized for your donation on a special donor panel sign at the Mohawk #926 Display outside the main entrance to the Salem AASF on the east side of the Salem Airport. We encourage individuals, businesses, & organizations to become involved to help us preserve the OV-1s legacy in Oregon.
Any size donation will be greatly appreciated! Learn more about the history of Mohawk #926 and the Salem OV-1 unit missions at our website.
________________
The following provides "Development & Operational Parameters" of the OV-1 Mohawk followed with archive photos of #926:
The Grumman OV-1 Mohawk was an armed military observation and attack aircraft, designed for battlefield surveillance and light strike capabilities. It was a twin turboprop configuration, and carried two crew members in side-by-side seating.
Powered by 2-Lycoming T53-L-701 turboprops at 1,400 SHP each, the OV-1 had a max speed of 305 mph (265kts) with a service ceiling of 25,000ft. Max. takeoff weight: 18,109 lb.
The OV-1 offered a wide variety of reconnaissance
capabilities including a forward looking panoramic camera in the nose plus vertical & side looking belly mount cameras. Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) was also a feature set as were Infrared cameras. Photo mapping & US border surveillance was a frequent mission requirement for the Oregon unit.
More aircraft performance data can be found at Wikipedia.
Archive photos of #926. The first 5 photos are courtesy of Robert Ellis, the 6th photo courtesy of Paul Pefley, and the last (7th) photo courtesy of J Munos:
Join with us in the Mohawk #926 Project and help us to preserve the legacy of the OV-1 Mohawks, their service to Oregon, and their support of a variety of important missions throughout our country and the world! All donations will be gratefully received. Also, let us know if you are available to work on the restoration! Receive lasting recognition for your donation of funds & labor at the Mohawk #926 Display.
Contact us:
Mohawk #926 Project, LLC
333 South State St. Ste V-174
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Web: www.Mohawk926Project.com
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