Keep the AH-64 Apache in the National Guard
Public Comments (1,406)
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Apr 8th, 2015Someone from Angier, NC signed.
Mar 23rd, 2015Someone from Pittsburgh, PA signed.
Mar 23rd, 2015Someone from Pittsburgh, PA signed.
Mar 21st, 2015Someone from Puyallup, WA signed.
Mar 18th, 2015Someone from Pittsburgh, PA signed.
Mar 18th, 2015Someone from Carnegie, PA writes:
I am writing to voice my strong opposition to the US Army?s plan to mothball the entire fleet of Kiowa helicopters; approximately 898 aircraft. These helicopters currently fulfill the roles of scout, armed reconnaissance and training for the US Army. The Army is proposing to fulfill the armed recon and training missions with AH-64 Apaches and UH-72 Lakotas seized from the National Guard. The total number of Apaches being seized from the Guard is approximately 170 (24 in seven states) in exchange for approximately 160 UH-60 Black Hawks. However, the Army has not mentioned any planned replacement for the 30 Kiowa aircraft the Guard would lose, or whether it's going to replace the Lakota aircraft it takes away to support the pilot training at Ft. Rucker. The Guard stands to lose upwards of 150 total air frames and the jobs that go along with them. This comes at a time when the nation has been reeling from a prolonged economic downturn. Cancelling the Kiowa program and taking aircraft out of the Guard will mean potential job losses in thousands for the men and women who fix, fly and support these helicopters. Job losses would also impact local communities that rely on the business generated by Guard Aviation facilities; restaurants, grocery stores, retail outlets plus the loss of payroll and sales tax revenues and devalued housing are all potential effects of this BRAC-type decision. This could easily have a trillion dollar impact. Local news outlets are already reporting that National Guard members could be out of a job if the Army cuts the Apache helicopter fleet. Mothballing the Kiowa fleet is puzzling. The Army recently convinced Congress to fund the Cockpit and Sensor Upgrade Program (CASUP) which modernizes the Kiowa and extend its service life thru 2025. The cost of this upgrade was billed at $4 million per helicopter in 2012, or $1.5 billion. This is a bargain compared with the alternatives. The Army gets a ?new? proven aircraft without wasting time and money on development, testing, fielding, or proving combat worthiness. Now the Army is willing to scuttle the entire Kiowa fleet in favor of Apaches? It doesn't make any fiscal or economic sense. How can the Army say that a modernized Kiowa fleet was worth investing $1.5 billion in 2012, but that it?s no longer worth it in 2014? The biggest hit the Apache community will take is in the maintenance and operational readiness realm. The average active duty Soldier graduates from school as an E4. By the time they make E6 they are effectively done wrenching on aircraft and are purely in a supervisory role. At E7 they are fulfilling a TRADOC instructor role, a recruiting billet or in a staff position. By E-8 they are in a 1SG position, very likely not in a unit that has the airframe they grew up on as the MOS is not airframe specific. When they make Command Sergeant Major they may not even know what kind of aircraft is in the unit. This means on an average they have about 18-36 months froMar 18th, 2015Someone from Carnegie, PA writes:
Please keep the Apache in the guard...!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMar 18th, 2015Someone from Pittsburgh, PA signed.
Mar 18th, 2015Someone from Bridgeville, PA signed.
Mar 18th, 2015Someone from Canonsburg, PA signed.
Mar 18th, 2015Someone from Pittsburgh, PA signed.
Mar 18th, 2015Someone from Pittsburgh, PA signed.
Mar 18th, 2015Someone from Altoona, PA signed.
Mar 18th, 2015Someone from Pittsburgh, PA signed.
Mar 18th, 2015Someone from Ellwood City, PA writes:
These machines and their pilots are vital to keep our country safe and protected . If you want to save the taxpayers money , put a $50,000 a year cap on all government paychecks for every office . You willsave hhundreds of millions of dollars and only employ people who honestly want to improve our country , instead of those who get rich on abuse the abusing the American taxpayer .REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMar 18th, 2015Someone from Johnstown, PA signed.
Nov 6th, 2014Someone from Pittsburgh, PA signed.
Oct 27th, 2014Someone from Texas City, TX writes:
Whoever came up with this idea needs to seriously consider cuts from other programs. This is beyond a bad idea to take away these assets in the name of helping big army with their budget issues. Having served and seen many of the army's program perhaps the Stryker could be axed instead. Many in the army and those of us that served the army over the past 10 to 20 years will probably prefer to offer up the Stryker instead.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelOct 22nd, 2014Someone from Pittsburgh, PA signed.
Oct 9th, 2014Someone from Manassas, VA signed.
Sep 3rd, 2014Someone from Summerville, SC signed.
Jun 13th, 2014Someone from Cedar City, UT signed.
Jun 9th, 2014Someone from Lehi, UT signed.
Jun 7th, 2014Someone from Bedford, PA writes:
The 1-104 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion has served with honor. We want to continue our tradition as an attack unit.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJun 7th, 2014Someone from College Point, NY signed.
Jun 5th, 2014Someone from San Antonio, TX signed.
May 27th, 2014Someone from Broussard, LA signed.
May 23rd, 2014Someone from Keller, TX signed.
May 18th, 2014Someone from West Jordan, UT writes:
Mr Hagel, The men and women from our Utah Attack Battalion have served valiantly during this trying time for our nation. They have answered the call many times. We have proven ourselves time and again and deserve to remain a main partner in the defense of our nation. Please reconsider this decision. Our guard members and their families have shown you that we have what it takes to meet any aggressor on his turf and defeat him. Please allow us to continue to defend this great nation. Thank YouREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelMay 18th, 2014Someone from Bristow, OK signed.
May 18th, 2014Someone from Bristow, OK signed.
May 18th, 2014Someone from Farmington, UT signed.
May 17th, 2014Someone from Madison, MS signed.
May 17th, 2014Someone from Jackson, MS signed.
May 17th, 2014Someone from Layton, UT signed.
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No, CancelMay 16th, 2014Someone from Salt Lake City, UT writes:
Please don't waste the time and money invested in the fine men and women of the national guard. They are equally qualified and have an excellent service record on this airframe.REPORT COMMENTS
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