WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii -- Soldiers and civilians tirelessly worked to move 24 AH-64D Apache Longbow Attack Helicopters from multiple National Guard units across the United States to Honolulu from Oct. 2015 to April 2016.
The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Pacific Command, Army National Guard Bureau personnel and PASHA, a civilian shipping company, combined efforts to transfer these aircraft to active duty Army units as part of the Aviation Restructure Initiative to help cut Army Aviation costs and replace the mission capability of the retired OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Reconnaissance Helicopter.
"At the squadron level, we have been involved with the planning for about a year now," stated Maj. Jacob M. Johnston, Executive Officer of 2-6 Cavalry Squadron, "the equipment came from nine National Guard units; Utah, Texas, North Carolina, Missouri, Arizona, Idaho, Pennsylvania and Mississippi."
25th CAB Soldiers were sent to Los Alamitos Army Airfield in California to receive the aircraft and execute the logistical move to Honolulu.
"We had 48 personnel consolidate all equipment as well as conduct inspections, property book inventories, aircraft maintenance and mobility," said 1st Lt. Eric Bowerman, 2-6th CAV Assistant Operations Officer, "We utilized PASHA shipping for port and shipping, as well as more than 40 additional personnel from 2-6th CAV and 209th Aviation Support Battalion at port to receive the aircraft and prepare for vessel loading."
"Our teams, consisting of eight personnel each, utilized Apache Blade Fold Kits to attach the tail booms and secure each blade, as well as depaneled the different sections of each aircraft and removed antennas in order to prepare the aircraft for shipment," stated Bowerman.
"It took about an hour per aircraft to prepare them for shipment and then they were stored below the main deck, utilizing 70,453 sq. footage, to protect them from the elements and keep them secure," said Bowerman.
"25th CAB Soldiers worked up to 24 hours loading and unloading aircraft in both California and Hawaii, based off of the port requirements that we shipped from and arrived too," said Maj. Erica Huston, Bravo Company, 209th ASB Commander.
"This entire movement was a herculean logistical operation, involving hundreds of personnel in units from 11 different states from both the National Guard and Active Army," according to Maj. Jeff Paulus, 25 Combat Aviation Brigade Executive Officer. "With the arrival of the 64's, the capability that now resides within the 25TH Combat Aviation Brigade has greatly increased the Army's force projection capability that the 25ID can apply to any situation that arises within the Pacific Theater. Additionally, the efficiency and speed of the transfer from the mainland to Hawaii has demonstrated the capability of the 25ID and US military's logistical prowess to move equipment worldwide at a moment's notice."
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