We supplied several fire support bases regularly. They would receive around five sorties of ammunition, food and water. the ammunition was always the heaviest and the water trailer with food the lightest so we tried to time the sorties based on fuel on board. The Chinook carried 4,000 pounds of fuel, which was enough to safely fly for about one and half hours before refueling. The CH-47 was rated to carry 16,000 pounds sling load underneath or 13,000 pounds inside,but because of high density altitude in Vietnam and the extra weight of armour plating( better known as chickenplates),some of which was used to set or stand on during flight. weapons usually two M-60 Machine guns,four M-16, four or more hand guns38s,44sometimes M79 grenade launcher, and five crew members with flak vests,our load carrying capabilities varied considerably down to 8000 pounds or less.

After missions were flown, ships were refuelled and put back in there revetments. here maintance crews, mostly at night, would inspect ships for wear and tear, change oil in transmisson , clean gas filter, oil filters,check all saftywire on two jet engines,replace damaged blades, adjust flight controlls, anythings and everything that might go wrong with a Chinook. maintance personal worked around the clock in two 12hr. shifs 6to6,also had to gaurd are own perimeter at night.
Records show that a total of 140 US Army Chinooks were lost to various causes in Vietnam up to Aug 31 1972. The first of these, was lost on November 15 1965. The US Army lost 58 to combat causes,80 to accidents and two to other causes. Fifteen combat losses occurred on the ground, including nine from 242sd (Muleskinners) destroyed on February 26 1969 when Veit Cong sappers penetrated the defences at Cu Chi. A further 37 VNAF Chinooks were lost to combat causes .38 remained when Saigon fell in April 1975 captured by the enemy.These figures were compiled by Lt.Gary Roush who is responsible for data base for the Veitnam Helicopter Pilots Association.