AH-64D Apache helicopters arrive at Fort Carson’s Butts Army Airfield June 22, 2016. Nearly two dozen Apaches will arrive in the next several weeks to serve as the new fleet for 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, upon its redeployment. (Photo by Capt. Shaun T. Manley)
By Sgt. Gregory T. Summers
4th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
The 4th Combat Aviation Brigade added four AH-64D Apache helicopters to its fleet June 22, 2016, at Fort Carson’s Butts Army Airfield.
Members of the 6th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 4th CAB, 4th Infantry Division, took responsibility of the aircraft due to 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, being deployed.
The four Apaches are the first of nearly two dozen scheduled to transfer from the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade out of Fort Riley, Kansas, over the next several weeks.
“We are inheriting these Apaches from Fort Riley because the aircraft we prepped for our squadron’s deployment to Afghanistan will stay in theater,” said Capt. James C. Corke, commander and Apache pilot, Company D, 6th ARS, 17th Cav. Reg. “When the (Soldiers get) back from deployment, they will have this new fleet of Apaches to begin their next mission.”
As the only designated aviation maintenance company for higher level maintenance within the squadron, Company D’s aviation specialists and Apache mechanics will maintain the incoming aircrafts’ hydraulics systems, airframes, engines, powertrains and electronic components. They will ensure they are mission-ready for the returning pilots.
“Our mechanics will get these Apaches ready to fly and once our pilots return, they can get straight to work,” Corke said.
Despite having a large number deployed, the maintenance throughout the aviation brigade carries on, sometimes leaving it to other units.
“Providing maintenance on aircraft is a hefty job and with the extra platforms, sometimes only leaves one Apache mechanic per aircraft when we are accustomed to having two, but we’ll work hard and together to make the mission happen,” said Corke. “This will be valuable experience for our mechanics to master the time-based maintenance schedule for these additional Apaches.”
Since the first delivery of the AH-64D “Longbow” Apache attack helicopter to the Army’s aviation fleet in 1997, it has proven to be a reliable aircraft that withstands the hardships of frontline combat environments. An invaluable day or night operational tool, the Apaches have provided years of close attack missions and fire support to the Soldiers on the ground.