Javier Mosquera, Vladimiro Cettolo & Atilio Marino Report |
| The Comando de Aviación de Ejercito celebrated last December 10th, 2002 a decade of OV-1D operation. |
| The ceremony at Campo de Mayo AAF included the presentation of a specially-painted machine to ensure that the commemoration did not go unnoticed which was designed and painted by volunteers, all Mohawk lovers, which previously painted other special markings on Argentine OV-1D. |
| Retaining the low-viz pattern, the aircraft received dark grey paint on the outside of outer stabilizers and pennant flags on each engine cowling while an aggressive warthog-style teeth was painted on the nose. |
| The machine, serial AE-020 (ex 69-17008) also receive a small “cosmetically” work on general painting as well as standardized EJERCITO lettering and national roundels painted on dark grey. |
| All the project was supported by last Squadron Chief, TCnl Daniel Grassi and the actual Chief, Mj. Gabriel Pedretti as well as all members of Escuadrón de Aviación de Apoyo de Inteligencia 601 (601 Intelligence Support Aviation Sqn) and after six weekends of work the aircraft was finally presented to Army authorities and made its public debut during the ceremony. |
| After a flyby with Cnl. Carlos Spika at the controls, the aircraft was pulled into the hangar as the highlight of the event. |
| The static display included another eight machines of the unit and a small display of system including KA-60 and KA-76 cameras, LS-59 flasher pod and AN/APS-94F SLAR units. |
| As part of the celebration, the enthusiast group and a Sqn member, Cpt. Guillermo Williams investigated all US Army career of each aircraft from maintenance log books and exhibited each individual fate just in front of each aircraft. |
| Two days after the celebration the specially painted AE-020 performed a photo flight with another OV-1D (AE-038) and Aeritalia G-222 as chase aircraft, ending all events related with its first 10 year operation since first examples were incorporated on December 24, 1992. |