Posted on May 27, 2015
With the demise of the OH-58D, what will become of the 1/17th Air Cav?
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I joined the 1/17th Cav while we still had Blue's Platoons, AH-1 ECAS Cobra and OH-58 helicopters. With all of the MTOE changes in the unit over the years, this one concerns me the most. What will be the new tools of the trade for my beloved Airborne-Air Cav now that the OH-58D is being retired with no new recon/attack helicopter in the development pipeline?
Cavalry
Aviation
82nd ABN
Helicopters
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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The Cav squadrons will be Apaches partnered with Shadows. The first unit to switch was 1-501 reflagged to 3/6 Cav. Each brigade will have an Attack Recconnaissance battalion (64s and Grey Eagles) and Heavy Recconnaissance squadrons (64s and Shadows). I'm excited by the change, my first unit was 3/6 when we stood it up as a longbow squadron at Hood and took it back to Korea.
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SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee
Thanks for the update. To be honest, I had to do some research on that the Grey Eagles and Shadows were. I feel that this change will enhance the commander's battle field recon ability, but at a cost of having a combined exploitation force right on station. I still need to do some more research to understand the new Air Cav to gain a better understanding and appreciation.
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SFC (Join to see)
The Integration and application of UAS on the battlefield gives commanders the ability to gleen the same amount of info without putting bodies in the air, however, it does lose the capability to put immediate steel on target (Unless its a Grey Eagle with Hellfires on it). With the new Echo model Apaches however, not only can they view and manipulate the viewing sensor, if the operator releases control, the AH-64 Pilot can actually control the UAS and use it as an aid to put steel on target as necessary.
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Joined 1/17th cab in 2004 and was deployed to Tal afar, Iraq in 2006-2007. E troop.
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Not sure what's gonna happen to the 1/17th CAV per se, but as an old OH-58 driver in 1/18th CAV I have an opinion: The Army should buy the AH-6/Boeing 530MG Defender or whatever the most current series is. That helicopter, going back to the OH-6 Cayuse, was built for the Scout Weapons Team and the Air Cav mission. TF 160th (SOAR) has proven the "Little Bird" is an outstanding aircraft that is so versatile and highly capable. Ask any pilot who has flown it! It is perfect, but since the stooges in that five-sided puzzle palace NEVER LISTEN to PILOTS, we'll be stuck with some POS that is totally unsuited to the mission. Or they'll spend billions...wait did I say "spend"? I meant WASTE! ...on programs like the RAH-66 Commanche and some would argue the UH-72 Lokota. The later being an off-the-shelf civilian model with OD green paint job. But I digress.
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SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee
I know what you mean. The AH-6 is one awsome bird. I hope they realize that the M-1 Eyeball on-site is much better than electronic eyes will ever be.
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