Keeping The Apache Ready To Take On The Taliban

US Army Editor via Defense Talk ^ | 1/17/2011 | US Army Editor via Defense Talk

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Behind every battle-winning Apache in Afghanistan is a team of unsung heroes working tirelessly to ensure the British Army's gunship is fully serviced, fuelled and fitted with the fire power to take on the Taliban.

While specialist support crews in theatre conduct the day-to-day maintenance on the hi-tech helicopter, the aircraft also has a legion of engineering experts poised for action in the UK.

Based at Attack Helicopter HQ in Wattisham, a highly-skilled group of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) craftsmen work alongside civilian contractors to run a Depth Support Unit (DSU) - an organisation charged with keeping the Apache fleet fit for flight.

Whenever an aircraft clocks up 600 flying hours it is booked into the state-of-the-art service centre to be stripped down to its bare frame and meticulously cleaned and inspected for wear and tear or damage. Parts are then repaired or replaced before the helicopter is rebuilt and sent back into service.

Warrant Officer Class 1 Christian Rouse, the man responsible for overseeing the movements of every Apache on behalf of the Joint Helicopter Force, said:

[gleeaikin]

My son spent a year in charge of 8 apaches. I must ask him how effective they are and how maintainable. I seem to recall we had them at Kosovo, but never used them because they were too expensive to risk.

[BwanaNdege]

Bad headline.

I thought, “Hey good idea! Why not turn the Comanche, Chiricahua, Sioux, and all the other tribes loose on the Taliban!”