Army tests Apaches during RIMPAC exercises at sea

30 minutes ago

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Published: July 28, 2014

The Army in Hawaii has landed Black Hawk and Kiowa Warrior helicopters on the decks of underway Navy ships in the past as the land service seeks to prove its sea-based flexibility.

During the current Rim of the Pacific exercises, the Army added some firepower, landing AH-64E Apache Guardian gunships on the amphibious ship USS Peleliu.

"The reason it's interesting and different is because the Apache is a land-based piece of equipment," said Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Gottschling, an instructor pilot with the 1st Armed Reconnaissance Battalion.

"By training us how to do the ship landings on a larger ship, it enables us to forward project our force by doing the cross-training with the Navy and the Marines."

The Apaches also were to test their ability to provide a counteroffensive role against simulated enemy attacking ships.

Eight of the latest model Apache Guardians were shipped to Hawaii in June from Fort Carson, Colo., for RIMPAC, separate training in Hawaii, and for a new deployment model being tested by U.S. Army Pacific.

Longer term, the Army plans to replace its aging Kiowa scout helicopters at Wheeler Army Airfield with Apache gunships.

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Army tests Apaches during RIMPAC exercises at sea