USS New York Lands Apache Helicopters

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Zane Ecklund, USS New York Public Affairs

USS NEW YORK, At Sea (NNS) -- Amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) added another milestone to her maiden deployment with the landing of a U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter on its flight deck, June 22.

The Army aviators of 3-159 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) landed during a joint training exercise designed to improve the Army and Navy's proficiency when landing on ships, and the ability to accommodate them while on board.

"This was great training for our Air Department, and it's always nice to work with other branches of services," said Lt. Patrick Blind, air operations officer aboard New York. "It also adds another capability to New York's arsenal."

The capability enables the Army to use New York as a staging base to project power anywhere.

"To come out here and do something a lot of people don't get to do is a good opportunity," said Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Martin, an Apache pilot assigned to the 3-159 ARB. "It broadens the unit and the pilot's capabilities."

New York's Air Department benefited from the evolution as well. Aviation Boatswain's Mate [Handling] 3rd Class Hannah Marihugh participated in ship's milestone by being the first New York Sailor to guide an Apache helicopter onto the ship's flight deck.

"It was exciting and something different. I've never seen an Apache helicopter before, and didn't know what to expect," said Marihugh.

New York and embarked Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. The ship is on her maiden deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Missouri Guard's attack battalion transitions to Longbow Apache

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard's 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion held a roll-out ceremony that officially transitioned the battalion to a AH-64D Apache Longbow unit.

The battalion, overseen by the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade in Sedalia, has a rich history as an Army Aviation Battalion within the Missouri National Guard. The battalion has flown the UH-1 Huey, OH-58A/C Kiowa Warrior and the AH-1 Cobra.

In 1999, the battalion was designated as one of eight National Guard battalions to receive the AH-64A Apache. In 2002, the first AH-64A helicopter arrived at Whiteman Air Force Base. In August 2009, the National Guard Bureau designated the battalion as the sixth Army National Guard Longbow battalion and began fielding it with aircraft in October 2011.

"What a great day for the Attack Battalion and for the CAB as a whole," said Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. He continued that he looks forward to a great long history with the Longbow aircraft in a great new building on a premiere Active Duty base.

Col. Shane Openshaw, U.S. Army Apache Program manager, said it was hard to believe that three years ago, this battalion had no plan, no money and no direction where it was going from the A Model Apaches.

"Team Apache is strong today, but it's getting stronger tomorrow," Openshaw said.

Mike Burke, director of business development for Boeing's Attack Helicopter Program, echoed Danner and Openshaw on how important the day was for both Boeing in Mesa, Ariz., and for the Missouri National Guard.

During the ceremony, the tradition of exchanging the AH-64D logbook signifies the transfer of the aircraft. David Koopersmith, vice president of Boeing's Attack Helicopter Program, presented Openshaw with the logbook. Openshaw passed it onto Danner. Danner passed it onto the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade's Commander Col. Mark McLemore with the logbook ending in the hands of Lt. Col. James Schreffler, 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion commander. Schreffler then tossed the key to Lt. Col. Thomas Burson, Army Aviation Support Facility commander, as the manager of the flying hour program and maintenance of the aircraft.

"We have kicked off this year by breaking in our new aircraft, and beginning the progression program for our aircrews," Schreffler said. Schreffler told Brig. Gen. Scott Vanderhamm, Whiteman Air Force Base commander, "I'm sure you have appreciated the sound of helicopter rotors over Whiteman again after somewhat of a lull in activity as we turned in our dated Alpha model aircraft.

The last A Model Apache aircraft left Whiteman Air Force Base on Jan. 10. The battalion is on schedule to receive the remainder of the new D Model aircraft by this spring.

Boeing presented Danner with an Apache model and Schreffler with a framed photo of the first three Apache Longbows delivered to Boeing in Mesa, Ariz., prior to coming to Whiteman Air Force Base.

Concluding the ceremony, the spouses of current and former 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance commanders christened the first Longbow, a tradition continued by the aviation community to protect their aviators as they bravely meet the challenges faced daily in the unforgiving sky.

Crew chiefs keep MND-B Apaches in the fight

BY Sgt. Brandon Little, Task Force XII Public Affairs Office

Spc. Charles Ballato (left) and Spc. Christopher Kell, crew chiefs in Tomahawk Troop, 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, salute an AH-64D Apache crew as they prepare to take off on a mission. Unlike other Army aircraft, Apaches are only designed to carry its two pilots but, like other helicopters, can't fly without the hard work of its crew chiefs. (Photo by Sgt. Brandon Little, Task Force XII Public Affairs)

CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- AH-64D Apache Longbow crew chiefs are proud of their aircraft. They're quick to tell you it's one of the most advanced pieces of equipment in the Army's arsenal.

They boast that the 58 foot-long war-fighting machine travels up to 227 miles per hour and is armed with as many as 16 Hellfire rockets, up to 75 (2.75 inch) aerial rockets; and can carry 1,200 rounds for its 30 millimeter machine gun.

They'll tell you about their pilots, who are expertly trained in maneuvering and engaging the enemy; pilots who can make an insurgent's day turn really bad ... really fast.
The one thing most of them can't tell you is what it's like to ride in one.
Unlike the UH-60 Black Hawk, or CH-47 Chinook, Apaches are designed to carry only the two pilots; but it's the crew chiefs, on the ground, who keep this aircraft in the fight and running at top performance.

"The crew chiefs are constantly repairing and servicing these aircraft," said Capt. Chad Corrigan, the Tomahawk Troop, 4th Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment commander and an Apache pilot. "Even though they don't fly with us, they play a vital role in launch-recover-launch operations."

"Launch-recover-launch" refers to an aircraft taking off on a mission, coming back, being serviced and then taking off again; all within a small window of time.

"Apaches may all look the same, but they definitely don't act the same," said Staff Sgt. Jason Combs, a maintenance supervisor and crew chief in Tomahawk Troop. "I don't mind not being able to fly with the helicopters, because I know my job is still important to the pilots."

For every hour these helicopters are flown, says the commander, crew chiefs perform an average of seven hours of maintenance.

"There are usually two crew chiefs assigned to each (helicopter); one per shift," said Combs, a native of Pensacola, Fla. "This allows us to fly these birds 24/7."

"When the aircraft comes to us we check it, double check it and then check it again," said Spc. Christopher Kell, a crew chief in Tomahawk Troop from Spring Hill, Fla. "They wouldn't be able to fly without us taking care of the birds while they're on the ground."

Kell is qualified to be a crew chief for Black Hawks as well, but he says he prefers to work with Apaches because working on them comes more naturally to him.

In addition to performing maintenance on the aircraft, crew chiefs also help guide the aircraft to an area they can takeoff.

"The pilots can't see behind them, and can't tell if there rotors are too close to something," said Spc. Charles Ballato, also a crew chief in Tomahawk Troop. "Helping the helicopters back up on the parking pad can be scary because the aircraft can sometimes turn a little wide and you get pretty close to the tail rotor."

Once the helicopter is cleared for takeoff, the crew chief renders a sharp salute and watches as the pilots take off toward uncertain danger.

"We salute the pilots as they leave to show them honor, because we don't know if this will be the last time we ever see them," said Kell. "We lost some pilots last time we were here, and we know that's part of the job, but I just hope the pilot and the aircraft come back safe."

"I get a little nervous every time I watch my bird take off, because I always wonder what if I didn't do something right or what if something breaks," said Ballato, a native of Wheeling, W. Va. "The pilots trust us to take care of these birds and I don't want to let them down."

Even though the crew chiefs aren't flying with the aircraft, their job is just as important as the pilots, said Corrigan, a native of Rehoboth, Mass.

"If I had the opportunity, I wouldn't mind taking a flight with them," said Kell. "Even if I never do, I still feel proud knowing the aircraft I just fixed is about to go save lives and do great things."