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Apache Attack Helicopter Pilot: To Maintain a Watchful Eye, “Above the Best”

January 25, 2021 By larryf 11 Comments

Written by CW4 Karl Metz For USMilitary.com

I have been asked several times what it is like to fly the Apache attack helicopter in combat. The answer I usually give is what I think the person asking wants to hear; often along the lines of “it’s like driving a Ferrari” or something similar, but always including a comment about the resourcefulness of the gun on the front of the aircraft. Now, it is true that the helicopter is unbelievably maneuverable, especially when teaching junior aviators the intricacies of Combat Maneuvering Flight (CMF) and it is absolutely true that the M230E1 30MM Chain Gun is by far the most amazing weapon I’ve fired in 19 years in the Active Army! But the real reason we do what we do is much less grandiose and much more focused on the friendlies, and not the bad guys.

Something we must remember is that, since contemporary wars began in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have had fearless young men and women with boots on the ground from the United States and its Allies non-stop. Long after the war-cry fell silent following the horrors of 9/11, and throughout all the difficulties the world has had to deal with, including a constant state of war, these dedicated men and women have been there fighting, leading, training and advising. Here’s our raison d’tre when there are boots on the ground, there are Apaches overhead keeping them safe and maximizing firepower on our enemies. This is what the leaked YouTube videos and campfire stories focus on: an unbelievably accurate and lethal machine carrying a variety of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, 2.75 Hydra rockets and 30MM HEDP ammunition, all doing their job, exceptionally well. This awesome array of fire-power is what always stands out as the coolest part of the job when viewed by our testosterone-fueled young future warriors. And you know what? I won’t argue that point! I sit here now, in July of 2018 writing this, in Eastern Afghanistan after another combat mission, knowing that the machine we fly today is even deadlier, more capable and more accurate than the ones we flew at the beginning of these wars. However, I must emphasize that there is much more to the mission and what we do as Apache pilots than employing the weapons systems.

The true mission of the Apache attack pilot is to protect the men and women on the ground. We focus on defending them with our physical presence, and our consuming fire when needed. I must borrow a thought from a friend and mentor, CW5 Scott Slider. He reminds us that the Army aviation song title, “Above the Best” really does strike a chord when thinking about those three simple words. We truly are flying high above the best. Above the brave warriors on the ground, in the heat and dust, hearing rounds screaming over their heads, as they attempt to comfort a comrade who just lost a piece of their body to an IED. That level of war is something we as aviators see only from a distance, safely at 75 Knots True Airspeed (KTAS) and 1500 Above Ground Level (AGL). Being able to bring reassurance to an environment of war that most cannot imagine; a world with horrors that words cannot truly express is the greatest honor and privilege of flying the Apache. I wish I could describe just how incredible it is to hear the almost immediate calm come over the radio from both young and seasoned warriors on the ground who are in direct contact with the enemy and taking effective fire, knowing that you, the Apache pilot, has arrived to protect and ensure their survival at any cost. That moment brings a level of humility to my job that is unlike anything else I have experienced in my life. It fosters a principle that we, as senior aviators, instill daily in the next generation of attack pilots, and one that comes quickly with experience flying over the battlefield. It is our duty and honor, to serve our country and our allies while overhead and it is our primary mission: protecting those in battle.

So, yes, the Apache is an amazing machine. Yes, it is like driving a Ferrari (I’m guessing since I’ve never actually driven one) and yes, the 30MM is everything you can imagine a weapon could be. But all of those things are secondary to the true mission of the Attack pilot.

If you are reading this, and you find yourself on the fields of battle, know that the Attack pilots over you are there for one reason, that we are masters of our trade, and our mission is to keep a watchful eye, Above the Best.

Written by CW4 Karl Metz for USMilitary.com

AH-64E/D Standardization Instructor Pilot / Instrument Examiner

Other Apache Articles:? The Day in the Life of an Apache Pilot

Locate Your Local Army Recruiter Here!

Filed Under: Editorial Picks, Top News

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Annie Metz says

    July 24, 2018 at 4:06 pm

    What a beautifully written article. Love of country, fellow soldiers and honor!

    Reply
  2. Elvia says

    July 24, 2018 at 8:55 pm

    Beautiful article
    God Bless you who protect boots on the ground and you be SAFE

    Reply
  3. Dwayne Childers says

    July 24, 2018 at 9:59 pm

    Well said brother!

    Reply
  4. Wayne Ellis says

    July 25, 2018 at 7:52 am

    Thanks for enlightening us here at home!…God Bless our troops in combat!

    Reply
  5. CW3 Brian P. Gilbertson says

    July 26, 2018 at 1:04 am

    Great read Brother! Couldn

    Reply
  6. COL Robby Robinson, Commander, Army Forces-Jordan (ARFOR-J) says

    July 28, 2018 at 12:43 am

    Nicely said. Having been that leader on the ground during the sh**-having you guys on top was always comforting. COL ROB

    Reply
  7. CW5 Sam R Baker, 110th AB says

    July 29, 2018 at 3:52 pm

    Well done Karl and it is much better than flying a desk as well. Us “Hookers” out there have always relied on the Apache for incredible support as we insert and extract the Nation’s treasure on the ground. Thanks for being up there when we have needed you guys and even when we haven’t.

    Reply
  8. Jared says

    July 29, 2018 at 9:19 pm

    Great article. Gun pilots are a different breed. In the end, we do it for the customer. The men and women on the ground!

    Reply
  9. Jennifer Hakeman says

    July 31, 2018 at 10:49 pm

    Perfectly described and said !

    Reply
  10. J.C. Pennington says

    August 6, 2018 at 12:06 am

    As a first generation Army helicopter gunship pilot in Vietnam, I can assure you that our raison d’

    Reply
    • larryf says

      August 6, 2018 at 1:05 pm

      JC, as a veteran and dad of an Apache pilot who will be touring Afghanistan soon, I’m grateful and forever thankful for you guys setting the standards and allowing present and future pilots (like my son) learn from your experiences. You rock! Again, this country honors you as well as all the men and women in uniform who faithfully serve! Best, Larry USMilitary.com

      Reply

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