O
peration Atlantic Resolve is
described by the United States
as demonstrating its “continued
commitment to peace, security
and stability in Europe” to reassure its
NATO allies and partners in light of
Russian intervention in Ukraine. Since
2015, the US has deployed additional
aircraft, equipment and troops to Europe.
In October last year the US Army started
its second nine-month rotation to the
continent, with the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade
(1st ACB) arriving en masse from its
home base at Fort Hood, Texas. The 10th
Aviation Brigade from Fort Drum, New York
state had undertaken the first such rotation
which was relieved by 1st ACB.
The bulk of this sizeable force came
by sea docking at Zeebrugge in Belgium
on October 20, when 77 helicopters were
unloaded consisting of Boeing CH-47F
Chinooks, AH-64E Apache Guardians,
Sikorsky UH-60L/M and HH-60M Black
Hawks. A couple of days earlier, aircrew
had begun arriving in Belgium. The
helicopters were reassembled and flown a
short distance to US Army Garrison Benelux
(Chièvres Air Base, Belgium) before heading
further west into Germany.
Another 12 helicopters (eight AH-64Es and
four UH-60Ms) were flown directly to Latvia
and Poland aboard a C-5M Super Galaxy.
As well as the helicopters, a multitude of
vehicles, containers and ground equipment
was delivered to support the rotation over
the coming nine months. In total, 1st ACB’s
deployment comprised over 700 pieces of
equipment, 1,900 personnel and 89 aircraft.APACHE GUARDIAN
The 1st ACB is the only unit currently in
Europe operating the new ‘E’ variant of the
Apache. Improvements to this version include
an updated Longbow radar, more powerful
T700-GE-701D engines, new composite rotor
blades which increase cruise speed, climb
rate and allow for a larger payload.
Of the 24 deployed, 20 reside at Storck
Barracks (Illesheim Army Airfield) in Germany
and the other four were airlifted directly to
Wrocław, Poland before moving to Powidz
Air Base. These belong to the 1st Attack
Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation
Regiment (1-227th AVN [ARB]), although
the unit is split in three: Alpha Company(A/1-227th AVN) known as the Avengers,
Bravo Company (B/1-227th AVN) Reapers
and Charlie Company (C/1-227th AVN)
Vampires. There are two further subordinate
units: Delta Company, Bone Crushers
providing maintenance and Echo Company,
Dark Horse which is a forward support
company. The latter has the widest ranging
mission within the 1-227th AVN, providing
refuelling, catering, vehicle maintenance and
communications support.
Whilst in Europe, 1-227th AVN’s Apaches
participated, along with other types from the
1st ACB, in two major international exercises.
The first was Allied Spirit VIII, held between
January 15 and February 5, at the Jointhttp://www.aviation-news.co.uk 67Above left: An AH-64E enters the hover just
prior to touching down at JMRC Hohenfels.
All photos Aaron Paxton/Aviation in Action
unless stated
Below left: Apache aircrew CW4 James Small
(left) and CPT Cale Hansen in front of their
AH-64E.
Top right: Twelve CH-47Fs are in Europe as
part of the 1st ACB deployment.
Above right: An UH-60M of the 3-227th AVN at
Illesheim Army Airfield.The 1st ACB deployed 30 UH-60Ms to Europe.66-69_acbDC.mfDC.mf.indd 67 01/05/2018 18:26