Kilo 23 (Pelican)

Kilo 23 was a United Nations Space Command Pelican Dropship stationed on Earth. Kilo 23's pilot was Hocus. In 2552, the ship was operating out of the UNSC Base codenamed Crow's Nest in Kenya, but later relocated to the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn during the Second Battle of Earth.

Second Battle of Earth
When MCPO John-117 returned to Earth, Kilo 23 was responsible for extracting him, the Thel 'Vadam, and Sergeant Johnson from the jungle. Hocus used the ship's heavy weapons loadout to destroy two Covenant Loyalist Phantoms in the process. Shortly after their return to Crow's Nest, the base was attacked by the Covenant. Kilo 23's escape with wounded soldiers was delayed by Jump Pack Brutes, until the Master Chief arrived to fight them off.

Battle of Installation 00
Kilo 23 was among the Pelicans aboard the frigate UNSC Forward Unto Dawn when that ship traveled through a slipspace portal to Installation 00 (also known as the "Ark"). Kilo 23, with Johnson, the Master Chief and several ODSTs aboard, successfully landed on the Ark. The ship served as backup while the Marines attempted to locate the Ark's Cartographer. Once the Prophet of Truth was located, Kilo 23 joined the strike force of Pelicans and Separatist Phantoms sent to lower the Citadel's protective shield. Encountering Heavy AA near the shoreline, Kilo 023's wingman was shot down, killing its crew and taking Kilo 023's Warthog with it, though Kilo 23 itself landed safely, later assisting the Master Chief as he made his way to the last tower.

The status of Kilo 23 is unknown after the Battle of Installation 00. It is presumed to have returned to Earth aboard the Shadow of Intent along with the rest of the surviving humans after John-117 recovered Cortana.

Crew

 * Hocus -- Pilot
 * Sergeant Major Avery Johnson -- Doorgunner and occasional copilot
 * Miranda Keyes -- Copilot during the Crow's Nest evacuation.