Bottom Line: The Active Duty (AD) Army plans to take ALL AH-64 Apache helicopters from the National Guard (NG) & Reserves, claiming they can operate more effectively for less money. This plan also includes retiring all OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters and possibly taking several of the UH-72 Lakotas from the Guard. Their proposal is known as the Army Aviation Restructure Initiative (ARI).
Here's an analogy... it's like the U.S. Olympic Team taking one third of their team, the third that are not full-time Olympians, but those that may have other jobs in addition to training for the Olympics, and just letting them go. And in that one third are some of the most committed, most passionate, and oftentimes most diverse and experienced. The ARI threatens to do just that to the National Guard Apache and Kiowa Warrior pilots and maintainers. These are the Guardsmen and women in your State, in your community, in your neighborhood. Are you, as a tax paying citizen, OK with that?
Know the facts! This site was created to compile files and links to other sites that lay the facts out. This effort is not strictly in self interest; rather, in the interest of prudent financial and force structure measures for defense of the nation. Make sure you check out all of the other tabs, located along the TOP of the page! To sign our PETITIONS as well as to speak out to representatives in your area, go to the Speak Out! tab. Or, simply click the button below:
Here's an analogy... it's like the U.S. Olympic Team taking one third of their team, the third that are not full-time Olympians, but those that may have other jobs in addition to training for the Olympics, and just letting them go. And in that one third are some of the most committed, most passionate, and oftentimes most diverse and experienced. The ARI threatens to do just that to the National Guard Apache and Kiowa Warrior pilots and maintainers. These are the Guardsmen and women in your State, in your community, in your neighborhood. Are you, as a tax paying citizen, OK with that?
Know the facts! This site was created to compile files and links to other sites that lay the facts out. This effort is not strictly in self interest; rather, in the interest of prudent financial and force structure measures for defense of the nation. Make sure you check out all of the other tabs, located along the TOP of the page! To sign our PETITIONS as well as to speak out to representatives in your area, go to the Speak Out! tab. Or, simply click the button below:
Want to share something with us? A comment? A link? Whatever? Click on the blue Comments word above. If you want to remain anonymous, you do not have to include your email. All comments post to the bottom of this page.
Compared to the Active Component (AC), the Reserve Component (RC – National Guard & Reserves) are:
1) One-third the cost with the same operational performance.
2) On average older, more experienced senior and master aviators and mechanics.
3) Have a significantly better accident record.
Additionally, the RC provides a home to AC aviators and mechanics leaving Active Duty, doesn't use costly contract maintenance, and if utilized properly, could maintain the force structure of our Nation while reducing the cost of the defense budget. The cost savings of one Guard Apache Battalion over one Active Duty Apache Battalion is $45 Million each year, per Guard Battalion! And if the Guard were to keep all eight of their Combat Aviation Brigades, and acquire two more CABs from Active Duty, this would save ONE BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY!
The Guard performs just as well as Active Duty, at home and abroad, and costs two-thirds less. Is the nation really willing to dismantle Guard Apache Battalions and throw away a third of the aviators and maintainers who are the most experienced [and least costly] in the US Army? The Army would actually INCREASE its vulnerability by doing so. If qualified personnel in the Guard are reduced by a third, it will take YEARS [as in 15 to 20, or more] to train a replacement force for this loss of senior aviators and maintainers.
Whereas an Active Duty Battalion has on its payroll over 400 soldiers, paid daily, the Guard is only paying for one weekend a month and two weeks a year. Guard aviators and mechanics can work under an Additional Flight Training Period (AFTP), which is how they maintain the same training standards that Active Duty does. Aviators are authorized up to 72 AFTPs a year (mechanics 48 AFTPs a year). This totals nearly 135 days annually – or roughly a third of the year – NOT the 39 days General Odierno stated recently. Additionally, the Guard receives only a third of the flight pay compared to Active Duty aviators, even though they have the same annual flight hour requirements as Active Duty aviators. And, of course, your traditional Guard member does not get housing allowance or TRICARE – the full medical coverage our AC counterparts receive.
Many of the senior Guard aviators and mechanics have over 25 years of aviation experience and provide continuity among the force; whereas the majority of Active Duty aviators and mechanics have significantly less experience, as well as a known retention problem for mid to senior aviators. Guard maintainers are hired on a full-time basis to maintain Apaches, with no other tasks authorized during their work week as technicians; contrast this to Active Duty maintainers who have multiple distractors which take them off the hangar floor, making Active Duty become reliant upon civilian contract aircraft maintenance support – a hidden cost the Army doesn’t openly acknowledge.
A COMMON MISUNDERSTANDING
If the National Guard is here to respond to State Emergencies, why does the Guard need Apache helicopters?
The Guard has two roles: one is to provide a ready reserve to the Nation's military – meaning the ability to supplement Active Duty in any mission; the other is to assist the State when requested by the Governor. To learn more about the Domestic Operations (DOMOPs) of an Apache Helicopter unit, go to the Archive tab.
Whereas an Active Duty Battalion has on its payroll over 400 soldiers, paid daily, the Guard is only paying for one weekend a month and two weeks a year. Guard aviators and mechanics can work under an Additional Flight Training Period (AFTP), which is how they maintain the same training standards that Active Duty does. Aviators are authorized up to 72 AFTPs a year (mechanics 48 AFTPs a year). This totals nearly 135 days annually – or roughly a third of the year – NOT the 39 days General Odierno stated recently. Additionally, the Guard receives only a third of the flight pay compared to Active Duty aviators, even though they have the same annual flight hour requirements as Active Duty aviators. And, of course, your traditional Guard member does not get housing allowance or TRICARE – the full medical coverage our AC counterparts receive.
Many of the senior Guard aviators and mechanics have over 25 years of aviation experience and provide continuity among the force; whereas the majority of Active Duty aviators and mechanics have significantly less experience, as well as a known retention problem for mid to senior aviators. Guard maintainers are hired on a full-time basis to maintain Apaches, with no other tasks authorized during their work week as technicians; contrast this to Active Duty maintainers who have multiple distractors which take them off the hangar floor, making Active Duty become reliant upon civilian contract aircraft maintenance support – a hidden cost the Army doesn’t openly acknowledge.
A COMMON MISUNDERSTANDING
If the National Guard is here to respond to State Emergencies, why does the Guard need Apache helicopters?
The Guard has two roles: one is to provide a ready reserve to the Nation's military – meaning the ability to supplement Active Duty in any mission; the other is to assist the State when requested by the Governor. To learn more about the Domestic Operations (DOMOPs) of an Apache Helicopter unit, go to the Archive tab.
ACTIVE DUTY vs. NATIONAL GUARD
How is it that the Active Duty Army senior leaders have so little knowledge of the National Guard? These leaders and their staff have failed to properly understand how the Guard trains and operates at home, and performs in combat. The National Guard – our Nation's militia – answers to the TAG and Governor of their respective State. Active Duty needs to remember that the Guard only answers to Active Duty when Guard soldiers are placed on Title 10 Orders. Furthermore, what many don't know is that the Guard States do not answer to NGB (National Guard Bureau). NGB is a facilitator, not a higher headquarters. Before the ARI can ever be approved, it really needs to go past the State TAGs and Governors before it can even go to Congress.
THE COST SAVINGS OF GUARD AVIATION
If the Guard were to keep all eight of their Combat Aviation Brigades, and acquire two more CABs from Active Duty, this would save ONE BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY! Here's the math behind this... one Active Duty CAB costs $666 million annually. Subtract the cost of one National Guard CAB, which costs about a third, or $204 million, annually:
666 - 204 = 462 million. 462 million x 2 CABs transferred to the Guard equals 924 million, just shy of $1 billion dollars.
That would still leave Active Duty with 10 CABs, a sizable force that could still meet the operational needs of the Army but reduce the annual cost of the defense budget significantly.
ACCIDENT RATE RATIO – A STARTLING DISCREPANCY
In the last 5 years, the Active Duty has potentially lost well over 12 AH-64 Apaches that were associated with pilot error. In contrast, the Guard & Reserves have lost one Apache due to pilot error in the same 5 years. This loss by Active Duty is staggering, especially when you consider that one Apache costs $30 million dollars! Quick math: 12 aircraft lost [to pilot error by Active Duty] x $30 million = $360 million dollars.
The question has been asked, how do the two compare in terms of flight time? For the most part, Active Duty and the Reserve Component units fly about the same when not deployed. However, Active Duty has 15 Apache Battalions and the Reserve Component has 10 Apache Battalions – 8 in the Guard and 2 in the Reserves. Put another way, the National Guard & Reserves constitute 40% of the Apache force, and have ZERO accidents in the last 5 years due to pilot error.
WHAT ABOUT THE ARMY RESERVES?
The Aviation piece of the Army Reserves are predominately part-time and funded very similarly to the Guard. Like the Guard, their aviators and mechanics can train up to a third of the year, using AFTPs, Drill, and Annual Training. The advantage of the Reserves is that they have the same continuity and seniority in experience found in the Guard. There are currently two Reserve Apache Battalions, but the Army is already taking some of their Apache helicopters from them, and eventually plan to take them all within a few years. Kentucky Reserves have already lost half of their Apache helicopters to Foreign Military Sales (FMS), and placed on the market to other countries such as Iraq. Visit these links for more:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ap-sources-congress-clears-iraq-arms-sale-21642564
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/01/28/US-seeks-to-rescue-Iraqs-Maliki-with-62B-Apache-deal/UPI-45131390930799/
POTENTIAL LOSSES OF AIRCRAFT - WHAT'S AT RISK?
If the Active Duty plan is approved, the Guard will lose 192 AH-64 Apaches, 30 OH-58D Kiowa Warriors, and up to 104 UH-72 Lakotas – for a total loss of 326 helicopters. In exchange, they are offering 111 UH-60 Blackhawks - that were already previously given to the Guard!. This would result in a NET LOSS of well over 200 helicopters across the Guard! This number does not include the 48 AH-64 Apaches to be lost by the Reserves.
ALLEGATIONS WORTH LOOKING INTO...
Apparently the Active Duty senior leadership has not been transparent. Allegedly, about one year ago when Active Duty Army began to plan their course of action development for overall force structure, they pulled in the National Guard Bureau (NGB) to these meetings. But before NGB was told what the plan was, the NGB leadership had to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), threatening UCMJ action should NGB breech the NDA. NGB was told they could not openly discuss the plan with the rest of the Guard until after the Aviation Restructure Initiative was publicly announced by the Army. NGB leadership objected to the Active Duty proposals, but were effectively under a gag order.
READY TO TAKE ACTION? Go to the Speak Out! tab to sign the PETITIONS and contact your representatives. Click the button below:
How is it that the Active Duty Army senior leaders have so little knowledge of the National Guard? These leaders and their staff have failed to properly understand how the Guard trains and operates at home, and performs in combat. The National Guard – our Nation's militia – answers to the TAG and Governor of their respective State. Active Duty needs to remember that the Guard only answers to Active Duty when Guard soldiers are placed on Title 10 Orders. Furthermore, what many don't know is that the Guard States do not answer to NGB (National Guard Bureau). NGB is a facilitator, not a higher headquarters. Before the ARI can ever be approved, it really needs to go past the State TAGs and Governors before it can even go to Congress.
THE COST SAVINGS OF GUARD AVIATION
If the Guard were to keep all eight of their Combat Aviation Brigades, and acquire two more CABs from Active Duty, this would save ONE BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY! Here's the math behind this... one Active Duty CAB costs $666 million annually. Subtract the cost of one National Guard CAB, which costs about a third, or $204 million, annually:
666 - 204 = 462 million. 462 million x 2 CABs transferred to the Guard equals 924 million, just shy of $1 billion dollars.
That would still leave Active Duty with 10 CABs, a sizable force that could still meet the operational needs of the Army but reduce the annual cost of the defense budget significantly.
ACCIDENT RATE RATIO – A STARTLING DISCREPANCY
In the last 5 years, the Active Duty has potentially lost well over 12 AH-64 Apaches that were associated with pilot error. In contrast, the Guard & Reserves have lost one Apache due to pilot error in the same 5 years. This loss by Active Duty is staggering, especially when you consider that one Apache costs $30 million dollars! Quick math: 12 aircraft lost [to pilot error by Active Duty] x $30 million = $360 million dollars.
The question has been asked, how do the two compare in terms of flight time? For the most part, Active Duty and the Reserve Component units fly about the same when not deployed. However, Active Duty has 15 Apache Battalions and the Reserve Component has 10 Apache Battalions – 8 in the Guard and 2 in the Reserves. Put another way, the National Guard & Reserves constitute 40% of the Apache force, and have ZERO accidents in the last 5 years due to pilot error.
WHAT ABOUT THE ARMY RESERVES?
The Aviation piece of the Army Reserves are predominately part-time and funded very similarly to the Guard. Like the Guard, their aviators and mechanics can train up to a third of the year, using AFTPs, Drill, and Annual Training. The advantage of the Reserves is that they have the same continuity and seniority in experience found in the Guard. There are currently two Reserve Apache Battalions, but the Army is already taking some of their Apache helicopters from them, and eventually plan to take them all within a few years. Kentucky Reserves have already lost half of their Apache helicopters to Foreign Military Sales (FMS), and placed on the market to other countries such as Iraq. Visit these links for more:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ap-sources-congress-clears-iraq-arms-sale-21642564
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/01/28/US-seeks-to-rescue-Iraqs-Maliki-with-62B-Apache-deal/UPI-45131390930799/
POTENTIAL LOSSES OF AIRCRAFT - WHAT'S AT RISK?
If the Active Duty plan is approved, the Guard will lose 192 AH-64 Apaches, 30 OH-58D Kiowa Warriors, and up to 104 UH-72 Lakotas – for a total loss of 326 helicopters. In exchange, they are offering 111 UH-60 Blackhawks - that were already previously given to the Guard!. This would result in a NET LOSS of well over 200 helicopters across the Guard! This number does not include the 48 AH-64 Apaches to be lost by the Reserves.
ALLEGATIONS WORTH LOOKING INTO...
Apparently the Active Duty senior leadership has not been transparent. Allegedly, about one year ago when Active Duty Army began to plan their course of action development for overall force structure, they pulled in the National Guard Bureau (NGB) to these meetings. But before NGB was told what the plan was, the NGB leadership had to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), threatening UCMJ action should NGB breech the NDA. NGB was told they could not openly discuss the plan with the rest of the Guard until after the Aviation Restructure Initiative was publicly announced by the Army. NGB leadership objected to the Active Duty proposals, but were effectively under a gag order.
READY TO TAKE ACTION? Go to the Speak Out! tab to sign the PETITIONS and contact your representatives. Click the button below:
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PROTECT THE GUARD – PROTECT THE NATION!
The following files counter the Active Duty Aviation Restructure Initiative and provide viable, cost-effective alternatives:
PROTECT THE GUARD – PROTECT THE NATION!
The following files counter the Active Duty Aviation Restructure Initiative and provide viable, cost-effective alternatives:
arng_apache_coa.pptx |
modified_national_guard_aviation_counter_proposal_v1.0.pptx |
In the slide below, you can see the annual cost comparison for one Apache Helicopter Battalion between Active Duty versus National Guard. An important point to understand here is that the manning and equipment of an Active Duty Battalion and Guard Battalion are EXACTLY THE SAME. This is what has allowed the Guard to "plug and play" into combat roles in Afghanistan and Iraq.
ac_vs_ng_apache_bn_cost_difference.pptx |
An annual savings of $45 million, in favor of the National Guard!
THE COST SAVING OF GUARD BCTs
There is rumor circulating among the force that Active Duty may also retire several National Guard Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs), the basic deployable ground maneuver units which includes infantry, artillery, armor, and reconnaissance units. Below is information from Pennsylvania's Adjutant General on the cost effectiveness of Guard over Active Duty BCTs. Adoption of COA B would save nearly 5 billion dollars annually.
THE COST SAVING OF GUARD BCTs
There is rumor circulating among the force that Active Duty may also retire several National Guard Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs), the basic deployable ground maneuver units which includes infantry, artillery, armor, and reconnaissance units. Below is information from Pennsylvania's Adjutant General on the cost effectiveness of Guard over Active Duty BCTs. Adoption of COA B would save nearly 5 billion dollars annually.
arng_cost_effectiveness__by_pa_tag_mg_craig.docx |
Alternate Plan 2 (Alt 2) of the next file is the most cost and effective and provides the most strategic depth.
bct_cost_for_ac_versus_ng.docx |
REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKS OUT
Back in December, approximately 150 representatives sent a letter to Defense Secretary Hagel and General Odierno, urging them to protect the Guard as the overall military structure is drawn down. See what they had to say, and who signed the letter:
congress_letter_to_secretary_hagel_and_general_odinero.docx |
Here is another letter, sent to Defense Secretary Hagel and General Dempsey, on the importance of keeping the A-10 in the Air Force and Air Guard. See the list of the 40 representatives who signed this letter on the Speak Out! tab.
congress_letter_to_secretary_hagel_and_general_dempsey.docx |
THE ARMY AVIATION RESTRUCTURE INITIATIVE (ARI)
Below is the truth behind the misleading data found in the Active Duty Course of Action (COA) Brief a.k.a. the ARI. The files show where the data is skewed to favor Active Duty, when in reality it is the National Guard that is more cost effective and typically better trained.
myth_vs_fact_v2.pptx |
rebuttal_to_the_active_army_coa_brief.pptx |
ari_summary_and_why_it_should_not_be_executed.docx |
Don't know much about the Apache and want to learn more? Check out: http://www.boeing.com/boeing/rotorcraft/military/ah64d/