Osan AMS aids in helicopter swap out

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paul Kilgallon
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs office
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Airmen from the 731st Air Mobility Squadron and Soldiers from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade worked side by side on the Osan flightline Sept. 9 when a C-17 III arrived with three new AH-64D Apache helicopters.

The helicopters are the first of 24 new Apache AH-64 Block II helicopters the 2nd CAB ordered to modernize their fleet, of which will be delivered to the Korean peninsula through Osan's flightline and Air Mobility Command aircraft.

"The two big changes these new helicopters have compared to the Block I's are enhanced night vision and engine upgrades," said Mr. Paul Bush, an aviation analyst assigned with the 2nd CAB. "These upgrades will increase target acquisition for the pilot, and bring a more reliable system that will reduce maintenance times and repair costs."

Mr. Bush also said the new Block II helicopters have upgrades to the digital communications, enhancements to the cockpit, and other additions that are designed to aid in target identification and tracking.

The Army estimates that more than 700 Apaches helicopters will be equipped with these new upgrades by 2011, he added.

After unloading the new Block II helicopters, the Airmen and soldiers then loaded three of the AH-64 Block I helicopters onto the C-17, completing the first of several swap out's.

Airmen at the 731st AMS are used to seeing and handling different types of equipment transported by cargo aircraft, but Senior Airman Isaiah Patrick said this was his first time seeing something like this at Osan AB.

"I was a little surprised because they [Apache's] are really large helicopters in comparison the type of cargo we see here at the port on a daily basis," said Airman Patrick. "When we load C-17 aircraft we normally just load pallets that are about 60 inches high, but when loading these helicopters on the airplane, every inch of cargo space was utilized to its fullest capacity."

"This experience really gave a new perspective of C-17's capabilities," he added.

Mr. Bush said that without the support of Team Osan, the 2nd CAB would not have been able to accomplish their mission.

"The level of support from the Air Force was just fantastic," said Mr. Bush. "These missions couldn't happen without both services working together and we appreciate their help in bringing these assets into the theater."

Airmen from the 731st AMS also felt the mission was beneficial and rewarding.

"It was a great experience and a good opportunity for us to work with our sister service, said Tech. Sgt. Michael Gomes, 731st AMS Ramp Services Operations manager. "By helping the 2nd CAB accomplish their mission, it let us see just how effective AMC's global reach really is."

The remaining Apache AH-64 Block II helicopters will be airlifted from Fort Hood, Texas aboard AMC aircraft for the next several months until the transition is complete.