In this article:
Apache
The AH-64 Apache attack helicopter can carry a lethal array of armament, including a mix of up to 16 Hellfire missiles or 76 70mm aerial rockets and 1,200 rounds of 30mm ammunition for its M230 Chain Gun automatic canon. It features an integrated Target Acquisition and Designation Sight (TADS) and a Pilot Night Vision System (PNVS) which will enable the 2-man crew to navigate and conduct precision attacks in day, night and adverse weather conditions. System monitoring is done by a Fault Detection and Location System (FDLS) that continuously reports aircraft status.
The Apache is a twin-engine, four-bladed, multi-mission attack helicopter with a tandem-seated crew of two. The versatile helicopter is the first helicopter developed specifically for day, night and adverse-weather combat missions.
The AH-64 was introduced to US Army service in April 1986. The first production AH-64D Apache Longbow, an upgraded version of the original Apache, was delivered to the US Army in March 1997.
AH-64D pilot
The AH-64D Apache Longbow can be equipped with the Northrop Grumman millimeter-wave Longbow radar. The Longbow fire control radar incorporates an integrated radar frequency interferometer for passive location and identification of radar emitting threats. An advantage of millimeter wave is that it performs well under poor visibility conditions and is less sensitive to ground clutter and is resistant to counter-measures.
Daniel M. McClinton was an AH-64D pilot with the US Army’s 1st Cavalry Division through three combat deployments to Iraq. As a battalion tactical operations officer, he planned and executed attack helicopter missions in and around Baghdad in 2006–07.
His book Crazyhorse: Flying Apache Attack Helicopters with the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq, 2006–2007 reveals for the first time many stories of selfless service, courage, and sacrifice that all readers will find compelling. At the same time, it also illustrates the absurdities that are involved with living in a massive bureaucracy like the US military. Also included are many original color photographs taken by McClinton in the Iraqi combat zone, like the picture featured below.
He recalls;
‘I was able to continue a tradition that I’d seen since I started flying Longbows, though-the “Cheer-Up” file.
Continuing WWII Nose Art tradition
‘One reason for this was because I’m pretty sure the Commanding Officer (CO) didn’t know how to find that page on the Tactical Situation Display (TSD) and therefore didn`t know such a thing even existed. One of the features of the AH-64D was the ability to add BMP image files to use during flight. These files were located on the image page, which was buried down in the menu of available items on the TSD. You had to know where to find them.
‘Our load usually included a Battle Handover (BHO) checklist, an Inadvertent Instrument Meteorological Condition (IMC) recovery plan, and what some folks called a “Cheer-Up file,” which consisted of a young lady in various stages of undress, usually of the PG-13 variety (at least in my unit). In retrospect, I’m quite sure it violated all sorts of equal-opportunity/se*ual-harassment regulations but the funny thing about it was the person who showed me how to add the pictures was a female aviator.’
McClinton concludes;
‘While we weren’t allowed to have nose art on our aircraft, at least the spirit of that World War II tradition lived on with the “Cheer-Up” file.’
Crazyhorse: Flying Apache Attack Helicopters with the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq, 2006–2007 is published by Schiffer Publishing and is available to order here.
Photo credit: Daniel M. McClinton and Tim Felce (Airwolfhound) via Wikipedia
