US Army, August 06, 2021 - HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, GA by Sgt. Andrew McNeil, 3rd CAB —The AH-64 Apache helicopter maintenance Soldiers of the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, continues training to learn how to uphold and fix the AH-64E Apache helicopters at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, as the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, continues fielding the aircraft until the end of 2021.
The previous model of Apache used by the brigade was the AH-64D. In February the 3rd Sqn., 17th Cav. Regt., started rotating Soldiers through a two week and a half week course to learn about the new aircraft.
“The first two weeks were Echo specific which explained the new systems installed in the aircraft and the new capabilities,” said Staff Sgt. Clay Morris, an AH-64 armament, electrical and avionic systems repairer assigned to D Troop, 3rd Sqn., 17th Cav. Regt. “The half week at the end explained the differences between the Delta and the Echo.”
The AH-64E model consolidated multiple operating systems into one unit which increases maintenance efficiency and troubleshooting issues, Morris continued, but the biggest change for the AH-64 armament, electrical and avionic systems repairers is the efficiency in the wiring system.
“The Delta model used splice junctions for wires, which meant if we needed to do a wire maintenance we had to find that splice point in big bundle of wires and trouble shoot from there,” Morris said. “The Echo uses cannon plugs which makes it a lot easier to troubleshoot, because it’s easier to change out a pin rather than an entire splice and whole new wire.”
The AH-64E also benefits mechanical maintainers who work on the aircraft’s drive train.
“Some of the maintenance tasks are easier because there is more room inside of the Echo,” said Sgt. Brandon Brookes, an AH-64 Helicopter Repairer assigned to D Troop, 3rd Sqn., 17th Cav. Regt. “They moved things on the aircraft to difference places which makes them easier to access.”
As the brigade continues to field the AH-64E Apache helicopters, the maintenance Soldiers of 3rd Sqn., 17th Cav. Regt., will continue learning about and training on the aircraft.
The unit will continue conducting the classes until the end of 2021 to train the new Soldier coming from advanced individual training.
The previous model of Apache used by the brigade was the AH-64D. In February the 3rd Sqn., 17th Cav. Regt., started rotating Soldiers through a two week and a half week course to learn about the new aircraft.
“The first two weeks were Echo specific which explained the new systems installed in the aircraft and the new capabilities,” said Staff Sgt. Clay Morris, an AH-64 armament, electrical and avionic systems repairer assigned to D Troop, 3rd Sqn., 17th Cav. Regt. “The half week at the end explained the differences between the Delta and the Echo.”
The AH-64E model consolidated multiple operating systems into one unit which increases maintenance efficiency and troubleshooting issues, Morris continued, but the biggest change for the AH-64 armament, electrical and avionic systems repairers is the efficiency in the wiring system.
“The Delta model used splice junctions for wires, which meant if we needed to do a wire maintenance we had to find that splice point in big bundle of wires and trouble shoot from there,” Morris said. “The Echo uses cannon plugs which makes it a lot easier to troubleshoot, because it’s easier to change out a pin rather than an entire splice and whole new wire.”
The AH-64E also benefits mechanical maintainers who work on the aircraft’s drive train.
“Some of the maintenance tasks are easier because there is more room inside of the Echo,” said Sgt. Brandon Brookes, an AH-64 Helicopter Repairer assigned to D Troop, 3rd Sqn., 17th Cav. Regt. “They moved things on the aircraft to difference places which makes them easier to access.”
As the brigade continues to field the AH-64E Apache helicopters, the maintenance Soldiers of 3rd Sqn., 17th Cav. Regt., will continue learning about and training on the aircraft.
The unit will continue conducting the classes until the end of 2021 to train the new Soldier coming from advanced individual training.
Hunter Army Airfield See also |
AH-64E Apache in
US Army Aviation 3/17 CAV
3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment US Army Aviation 3rd CAB
3rd Combat Aviation Brigade US Army Aviation 
Helicopters Flight School - Training Military 
