Apaches going from ARNG to 'Big' Army

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:59:14 -0500

Over the last year or so a debate has been going on about the FY15 Defense Authorization Act which included the transfer of more than 190 Apaches from the ARNG to the Active Army with the Guard receiving about 100 older model UH-60s in return. Now it seems that a compromise has been reached to keep about 150 of the AH-64s in the Guard.

Is this a good move for the Guard? What does this mean in the future for the Aviation community as a whole?

Lawmakers Curb Army's Plans to Transfer Apaches from Guard

The new defense authorization bill would limit the Army's plans to transfer Apache helicopters from the National Guard.,Lawmakers on key defense panels have reached a deal on the annual defense authorization bill that would limit the Army's plans to transfer Apache helicopters from the National Guard.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 11:12 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:12:33 -0500

I read the article, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, and I think it makes the Guard a more ready force to join the fight. Taking away all the Apaches would have been bad news for the Guard. I guess they're desperately trying to save money any way possible. That usually results in diminished capability and readiness. I see the change from all 190 Apaches being transferred to a max of 48 being transferred as a positive sign, not only for the Guard, but for the entire force.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 11:18 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:18:16 -0500

This is a good move. The Air Guard has attack assets, why not the Army Guard as well? The LUH can barely carry itself, let alone armament. I suppose we could mod some A+ Hawks to be gunships. Those A+ models have some serious power. We were blowing away the M models and L models in Afghanistan.

I was reading an article the other day that talked about this as well as the DODs plan to scrap the A-10 getting the axe as well. I say good on you Congress on both matters.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 3 at 2014 11:27 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:27:48 -0500

How will this further affect my poor Kiowa pilots? I imagine they factored in those extra AH-64's into the mix when they were trying to figure out availability on the pitiful amount of retraining slots. If they axe more Kiowa pilots now I am going to throw myself on the floor and pout and cry. That will show them.