Air Cav sports shiny new ride

Photo By Staff Sgt. DeMarco Wills | Sgt. Robert Weaver, Apache maintainer for Troop A, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Heavy Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, ties down the rotary blades of an AH-64E Apache March 22 at Hood Army Air Field in Fort Hood, Texas. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alajuwan D. McCoy, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade PAO, 1st Cavalry Division.)  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

03.24.2016

Story by Spc. DeMarco Wills 

1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

The squadron is among the first units across the Army to receive this new model of Apache. The unit will continue transferring its existing AH-64D Apache fleet to other units across the Army.
The AH-64E is another milestone for the team, as the Squadron completed National Training Center rotations last year prior to its reflag from 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, to its current unit designation.
Incorporating E-model Apaches into the formation has many pilots, who have yet to train on the aircraft, anxious to start flying.
“I’m quite excited,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Greenhill, an Apache pilot for A Troop, 7/17th Cav.
For Apache mechanics, the redesign of the E model is more maintenance friendly. Mechanics who have recently completed training experienced firsthand some of the improvements of the AH-64E.
“The process of removing the transmission has changed, making the removal far easier,” said Staff Sgt. Patrick Jewell, an AH-64E Apache instructor from Fort Eustis, Virginia. “Most of the clutter from the wires has been simplified and reduced.”
The trained mechanics said there were other noticeable differences in the new model.
“Given the upgrade in technology and increased power available, the new model is far better for executing aviation operations,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Patrick Burg, production control officer and maintenance test pilot for 7/17th Cav. “It allows pilots to travel more effectively in inclement weather conditions, an advantage which will allow our aircrews to more effectively and safely maneuver to the objective area and engage targets.”
The squadron will train on a mixed fleet of both E and D-model Apaches until late August giving the mechanics time to fully adjust to the new equipment.
Lt. Col. Scott Myers, 7/17th Cav. Squadron commander, said that the AH-64E will be a welcome addition to the formation.
“Our receipt of the AH-64E Apache is being done in concert with Army modernization efforts, and it also impacts the changes that have occurred in our formation due to aviation reconstruction initiatives,” Myers said. “Our reflag to 7/17th Cavalry also resulted in our transformation to a heavy attack reconnaissance squadron, bringing new mission priorities while also requiring our formation to adopt a cavalryman’s mindset.”
Recently, the unit was also fielded RQ-7 v2 Shadow aircraft. With the introduction of both the AH-64E Apache and RQ-7 v2 Shadow, 7-17 Cav. will be able to effectively conduct reconnaissance and security operations while maintaining the lethality traditionally attributed to Apache formations. The unit will soon begin training manned-unmanned teaming tactics, which will leverage and capitalize on the enhanced technology that accompanies these two new platforms.
The unit’s aviation mechanics have been training on AH-64E test models since early January and the formation’s aviators commence training on the aircraft as early as April.
More than 100 aviators and maintainers will attend the training course and the unit will complete its fielding of all twenty-four AH-64E Apaches before the end of the year.

• Date Taken: 03.24.2016
• Date Posted: 04.06.2016 16:08
• Story ID: 194589
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US