64 Vol. 10 / No. 5 / May 2018 Global Aviator
Air Force exercises
Pilot for 1-227th AVN REG describes
how the gunnery tables and flying
modes work out while at the range.
“Each Apache team will fly three or four
gunnery tables which are used for pre-
qualification training and commander’s
evaluation for newly assigned aircrew
members. Each unit will use these tables
to evaluate the instructors or conduct
refresher training for qualified aircrew.
These tables will be assessed by a senior
instructor with the table or "training
lane" becoming more challenging as
the gunnery exercise progresses”.
The Apache attack helicopter
has four modes of fire gunnery
operations and will engage the
targets in these modes.- Hover fire – if specified on a gunnery
task, the crew will conduct the
task from a stationary hover. - Moving fire – an engagement from a
moving helicopter in any direction. - Running fire – an engagement
from a moving helicopter. Both
direct and indirect fire can be
distributed during running fire. - Diving fire – an uninterrupted
fire engagement from a helicopter
that is in a diving flight profile.
With good tactical methods the
Apache attack helicopter has three
formats of engagement which include
suppression, neutralisation, and
destruction. Training suppression
on live-fire gunnery ranges provides
limited training value. The amount
of ammunition required to suppress
a target is not precise, additionally,
all weapons mounted on the Apache
have the capability to suppress targets.
Neutralisation training is for crews to
engage targets and make the areas of
attack safe from any threats, this will
allow units to set-up an assembly area
complete with tents and vehicles in the
range impact area while allowing crews
to engage the area with rockets. When
a crew completes the task, the master
gunner inspects the target area and
counts impacts. To simulate vehicles
sometimes silhouettes on the range will
be placed and used as central aim points.
Destruction puts a target out of action
permanently with direct hits using high-
explosive munitions. Precision guided
missiles are used against hard targets
during destruction training missions on
the range. While other weapons may be
used for destruction, mission planning
will normally focus on Hellfire missile.
“Depending on the type of
training mission the Apache’s initial
point of attack could range from
8 to 10 kilometres from the target,
this would depend on the weapon
systems being used at that time” a
factor highlighted by CW4 Chavez.
CW4 Chavez mentions “The 70mm
Hydra 70 rocket is a “family” of varying
rockets with one type better known as
the flechette warhead detonates 150
meters before the predetermined range
set by the rocket management system.
After detonation of the warhead, the
flechettes are deployed and create a
flechette cloud that becomes a cylinder
after 150 meters’’. Whilst describing the
use of Hellfire’s, he detailed, ‘’the Hellfire
Missile effective range is 8,000 metres.
With an onboard laser designator,
crews can engage targets at ranges
up to the maximum effective range.
Ideally, aircrews should engage enemy
helicopters indirectly with the Hellfire.
The target can be designated by ground
lasers. This capability allows aircrews
to fire the missile from concealed
positions behind concealed terrain”.
SPC Cedric Bell from the 615ASB
explained the FARP (Forward Arming
and Refuelling Point) procedure.
“The FARP is an essential method
for providing aircraft with fuel and
ammunitions in the battlefield. Each
FARP must provide aircraft limited
maintenance and medical support
if required. It must be able to house
enough fuel for a company of attack
helicopters. The sole purpose of the
FARP is to help the aircraft reduce
their turnaround times while out in
the combat zone. The Apache takes
approximate 5-7 minutes to refuel with a
further 20 minutes to re-arm the aircraft”.
There are two forms of refuelling
methods, aircraft can use either hot
or cold refuelling but hot is preferred
because this is quicker. The term hot
refuelling is when the aircraft engines
are still operating, while cold is when
the aircraft is completely shut down.
The hot refuelling procedure is deemed
more dangerous because hot refuelling
FARPs consist of more things moving,
the crew will contact the FARP control
when approximately 10 to 15 minutesTop: Capt. Cale Hansen of 122th AVN conducts
pre-flight procedures in preparation for a
local navigation sortie at Stork Barracks
(Illesheim).Middle: The Cockpit of the new AH-64E Apache
from 1-227th AVN at Stork Barracks
(Illesheim).Right: Three AH-64E Apaches of 1-227th depart
the JMRC, Hohenfels on a local navigation
sortie in the afternoon sun.