Bellwood in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

OH-58D Kiowa

circa November 2025

1. OH-58D Kiowa Marker

Inscription.
The armed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is a single-engine, single-rotor, 4-bladed military helicopter used for observation, utility, and direct-fire support. The OH-58D is equipped with two universal quick-change weapons pylons. Each pylon can be armed with two Hellfire missiles, seven Hydra 70 rockets, two air-to-air Stinger missiles or one .50-caliber fixed-forward machine gun.

The OH-58D is primarily operated in an armed reconnaissance role in support of ground troops. With its speed and maneuverability, it can cover behind trees or hills when observing the battlefield and transfer data to friendly command posts using a secured channel, or attack the targets itself. This helicopter is highly survivable due to various countermeasure kits, such as a jammer for infrared seekers, radar warning receivers, laser warning receiver, and inherent infrared suppression.

The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior was the first helicopter fitted with a protection system against wires. It has a sharp knife-like rod, mounted above the cockpit. It protects the helicopter, once it hits the wires. It is worth noting that various wires, such as electricity,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

telephone and others pose a great danger to helicopters that are flying at low altitudes. After testing this system on the Kiowa Warrior, manufacturers began to use this system on other helicopters as well.

The OH-58D was retired from the U.S. Army after 33 years of service. This venerable helicopter made its last flight as a farewell at Simmons Army Airfield at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, April 15, 2016. The helicopter displayed came from Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia. The OH-58F will remain in service until 2036.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 2016.

Location. 37° 25.66′ N, 77° 26.841′ W. Marker is in Bellwood, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. It is at the intersection of G Road and Elk Grove Drive, on the left when traveling south on G Road. Marker is on post at Defense Supply Center Richmond and is not accessible to civilians without sponsored access or authorized escort. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2878 Drewrys Bluff Rd, Richmond VA 23237, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

OH-58D Kiowa Marker & Display Aircraft image. Click for full size.

circa November 2025

2. OH-58D Kiowa Marker & Display Aircraft

this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A-10 Thunderbolt II (within shouting distance of this marker); F-4 Phantom II (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War II Memorial (about 700 feet away); 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage, M7B2 (approx. 0.4 miles away); M41 Walker Bulldog (approx. 0.4 miles away); Virginia National Guard State Headquarters Building and Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); F-84F Thunderstreak (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Virginia National Guard State Headquarters Building and Site (approx. 0.4 miles

Paid Advertisement

away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellwood.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2025. This page has been viewed 47 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 26, 2025. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.