Spc. Delvi Hernandez prepares a rocket for a waiting Apache at the FOB Hammer FARP Sept. 19.
Spc. William Craig loads 30mm rounds into a waiting Apache at the FOB Hammer FARP Sept. 19.PFC. MONICA K. SMITH
3RD CAB, 3RD INF. DIV.
BAGHDAD — The armament platoon of Company B,603rd Aviation Support Battalion,3rd Combat Aviation Brigade can easily go unnoticed. Much like the technical producers of a play, or the camera man in a movie, armament is an essential part of an AH-64 Apache’s mission,rarely receiving recognition. Though their job is not as flashy as pilots’, or as well known as maintenance, without armament the Apache’s formidable reputation would be lost.
“We provide support to 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment,” said Chief Warrant Officer Francisco Vargas, aviation armament maintenance officer, with Co. B. “If they get swamped with work, we’re here to help them out with any maintenance they require.”
The Apache must undergo phase maintenance for every 125, 250 and 500 hours of flight. The armament platoon handles the 500 hours phase maintenance, where they check the sighting systems by synchronizing the sighting and weapons systems, in addition to checking the avionics and everything else “with a wire” within the aircraft, said Staff Sgt. Jorge Vargas, armament avionics electrical systems supervisor, with Co. B.
The Apaches are cleaned off before maintenance begins and then the aircraft is torn down to perform operations checks and to fix faults. Unlike the weapons on other aircraft, the weapons of the Apache are integrated into the aircraft’s frame, Vargas said. The weapons fired from a Black Hawk can be attached and detached by the crew chief, however, an Apache’s 30mm gun cannot be so easily removed, he added.
The armament platoon also works at the forward area rearmament and refueling points at Camp Striker and at Forward Operating Base Hammer. The FARPs, which are operated 24-hours per day, are designed for rapid refueling and rearmament.
Fuelers at the FARPs establish communication between themselves and the pilots when the helicopters land to refuel, and perform minimal troubleshooting on site. The armament Soldiers load Apaches with 30mm rounds, rockets and hellfire missiles.
“They use (FARP Hammer) midmission,”said Spc. Zach Wernimont, also with Co. B. “The FARP at Striker is mainly used before and after missions. It’s just easier for the pilots to come here, we’re specifically for mid-mission.” The platoon has 36 members with 12 working at the FARPs — eight at Camp Striker’s Rifle Stock FARP and four at FARP Hammer.
The platoon currently operates in two shifts of seven Soldiers, however, with three to four Soldiers working on each aircraft, the members are challenged to perform their duties.
Spc. Jason Ellis, electrical avionics specialist, enjoys the continuous pace of working in armament. “The job covers a lot, armament and avionics,” Ellis said. “We get to work on every aircraft that goes through. With other aircraft (Soldiers) will work on some and the civilians will work on the others, but we touch every aircraft that goes through here.”
“We stay busy,” Vargas said. “There is no way (1-3 Avn. Regt.) can handle the amount of work to be done on the Apaches, they simply don’t have the personnel. The 603rd is making it happen for them. We make sure when the pilots pull the trigger, something happens.”
3RD CAB, 3RD INF. DIV.
BAGHDAD — The armament platoon of Company B,603rd Aviation Support Battalion,3rd Combat Aviation Brigade can easily go unnoticed. Much like the technical producers of a play, or the camera man in a movie, armament is an essential part of an AH-64 Apache’s mission,rarely receiving recognition. Though their job is not as flashy as pilots’, or as well known as maintenance, without armament the Apache’s formidable reputation would be lost.
“We provide support to 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment,” said Chief Warrant Officer Francisco Vargas, aviation armament maintenance officer, with Co. B. “If they get swamped with work, we’re here to help them out with any maintenance they require.”
The Apache must undergo phase maintenance for every 125, 250 and 500 hours of flight. The armament platoon handles the 500 hours phase maintenance, where they check the sighting systems by synchronizing the sighting and weapons systems, in addition to checking the avionics and everything else “with a wire” within the aircraft, said Staff Sgt. Jorge Vargas, armament avionics electrical systems supervisor, with Co. B.
The Apaches are cleaned off before maintenance begins and then the aircraft is torn down to perform operations checks and to fix faults. Unlike the weapons on other aircraft, the weapons of the Apache are integrated into the aircraft’s frame, Vargas said. The weapons fired from a Black Hawk can be attached and detached by the crew chief, however, an Apache’s 30mm gun cannot be so easily removed, he added.
The armament platoon also works at the forward area rearmament and refueling points at Camp Striker and at Forward Operating Base Hammer. The FARPs, which are operated 24-hours per day, are designed for rapid refueling and rearmament.
Fuelers at the FARPs establish communication between themselves and the pilots when the helicopters land to refuel, and perform minimal troubleshooting on site. The armament Soldiers load Apaches with 30mm rounds, rockets and hellfire missiles.
“They use (FARP Hammer) midmission,”said Spc. Zach Wernimont, also with Co. B. “The FARP at Striker is mainly used before and after missions. It’s just easier for the pilots to come here, we’re specifically for mid-mission.” The platoon has 36 members with 12 working at the FARPs — eight at Camp Striker’s Rifle Stock FARP and four at FARP Hammer.
The platoon currently operates in two shifts of seven Soldiers, however, with three to four Soldiers working on each aircraft, the members are challenged to perform their duties.
Spc. Jason Ellis, electrical avionics specialist, enjoys the continuous pace of working in armament. “The job covers a lot, armament and avionics,” Ellis said. “We get to work on every aircraft that goes through. With other aircraft (Soldiers) will work on some and the civilians will work on the others, but we touch every aircraft that goes through here.”
“We stay busy,” Vargas said. “There is no way (1-3 Avn. Regt.) can handle the amount of work to be done on the Apaches, they simply don’t have the personnel. The 603rd is making it happen for them. We make sure when the pilots pull the trigger, something happens.”
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