Posted on Dec 1, 2014
Kiowa Warriors Leaving Afghanistan...and the Army...
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I wanted to share this articles with everyone because as the Kiowa Warrior leaves the battlefield in Afghanistan, it marks an end of an era for air-ground integration. The KWs are also being phased out of use on the Army and that also marks an end of an era. While serving in Afghanistan with A/3/4 CAV, my Troop were the ground scouts with two Troops of KWs. They went out with us on every mission and were, what I like to call, angels over our shoulders. I will always have fond memories of the pilots, crews, and the aircraft themselves. I actually have about 30 minutes flight time in one...believe it or not. A few of us got to go up with some our pilots after their aircraft came out of maintenance while we were in Shindand. It was an experience, but I am much more comfortable on the ground. ;)
http://www.fayobserver.com/military/with-the-troops-kiowa-pilots-have-been-protecting-soldiers-on/article_14e480cb-306f-5b97-98db-52d7705165d9.html
http://www.fayobserver.com/military/with-the-troops-kiowa-pilots-have-been-protecting-soldiers-on/article_14e480cb-306f-5b97-98db-52d7705165d9.html
Posted in these groups: 
Close Air Support (CAS)
Close Air Support (CAS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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In tribute to our Kiowa aviators, who flew more combat hours than any other airframe in theatre, please share your experiences with them.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/who-had-their-butt-saved-by-a-oh-58d-when-they-were-in-afghanistan-or-iraq?n=350963&page=1&urlhash=350963#350963
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/who-had-their-butt-saved-by-a-oh-58d-when-they-were-in-afghanistan-or-iraq?n=350963&page=1&urlhash=350963#350963
Who had their butt saved by a OH-58D when they were in Afghanistan or Iraq? | RallyPoint
In tribute to our Kiowa aviators, who flew more combat hours than any other airframe in theatre, please share your experiences with them.
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Q: How many helicopters in the Army inventory can come out of various AF transport planes and be able to go on a combat mission within 15 minutes of landing?
A: None. Because they retired the Kiowa Warrior.
A: None. Because they retired the Kiowa Warrior.
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SFC Mark Merino
We sold Cobras for $1 each to various Federal agencies. Kiowas are just civilian Bell aircraft beefed up and armed.
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SFC Mark Merino
Do you know how much that makes me want to cry? Davis-Monthan is less than 2 hours from me. Maybe RallyPoint could buy one for $1. I'll take good care of her.
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I was talking with a Kiowa pilot I met on RallyPoint and found out that only 1/4 of the Aviation Officers will have retraining slots offered and only 1/3 of all the Aviation Warrants will be offered retraining in other airframes. In the past, other airframes were slowly phased out from service. I had Cobras dropping 20mm cartridges in my foxhole in 1990 and I was still flying in Hueys in 1997. These highly qualified aviators are just out of luck. What a huge loss to the ground troops. To my knowledge, this is unprecedented in the military. Are there any Vietnam aviators out there who can weigh in on this transformation? I am devestated by this news. Many of my dear friends feel betrayed. Cav pilots don't just stop flying and go to work in the motor pools and offices as walking warrants. All that combat experience wasted and now going to work in the civilian sector.
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CPT Darisse Smith
I flew the 58D for 7 years, though as an inexperienced, commissioned officer. The Warrant Officers who flew this aircraft every day are the absolute best aviators in the U.S. Army. When flying an aircraft that is consistently underpowered and underfunded, one must get creative, courageous and skilled to accomplish a difficult scout mission. Never have I seen such motivation to help the ground troops than in the cockpit of a 58D. Whether the pilots were having to fire their personal M-4 out the door because the .50 caliber was too close for support (the weapon is fixed mounted so we learn how to sling those large caliber bullets) or even throwing a hand grenade out the door to help out troops below, 58D aviators had to be creative and truly skilled to accomplish the mission. When flying a 58D, you are always having to think about power and landing zones while also running the radio, sight, weapons and of course, flying. If the Army does not support the skill of these professionals, it is losing thousands of hours of combat experience and motivated professionals who would do anything to help ground troops in the middle of a firefight. Reconsider, Army.
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