Apache Compromise & The U.S. Army in Europe

Bloggers - like most people - just gotta have fun! . . . especially when history and military matters and millions all get mixed-up in a crazy amazing mad, mad maze of homeland defense spending. But with a sardonic sense of humor in the geography of global warfare it all makes sense somehow - some people may want to cry or scream at the same time.                                                                   Apaches were always portrayed as "the bad guys" in all those old Western movies produced by Hollywood - raiding and killing wagon trains and white settlers looking to take-over what is now recognized as Native American territory.

The Apaches are now living on tribal lands in Arizona and New Mexico called reservations - the largest in Arizona is the San Carlos Apache Rez. White folks might recall an Apache Indian named Tonto, made famous in the 1950's television series "The Lone Ranger" where the top cowboy wore a mask. The Tonto National Forest is one of central Arizona's outdoor assets now.

"The Apache Wars" were a military campaign to remove the threat of "predation" and "raids" by the Indians that were defending their lands and stopping the exploitation of their natural resources.  Wouldn't you do the same if you were invaded by a hostile foreign army trying to take your land away from you, killing and displacing you from your ancestral home?

How ironic that the #1 predatory attack helicopter killing machine in the world is called "Apache" . . . or that covert actions to kill Osama bin Laden were called "Operation Geronimo." [using Apache helicopters in Pakistan].

Twisted name-calling  with the military honoring the Apaches' 19th- Century war prowess for waging global wars and destruction in the 20th and 21st Centuries.

Now there appears to be an inside "rift" that went public between the U.S. Army  and The National Guard - about Apache Helicopters, CH-47 Chinooks and OH-58D Kiowa Warriors.

All names for these killing machines in air warfare are from Native American tribes. Ironic.

According to the article [with following link] each Boeing AH-64 costs about $40 Million dollars to put into service, with considerable annual high operating expenses and costs [service, parts and maintenance].The Army owns 192 of these and spends more than $165 million dollars to operate them [AH-64, UH-60 Blackhawk, and L-Model Blackhawk].

 

Army Force Commission Calls for Apache Compromise, More Troops in Europe

By Jen Judson, Defense News 6:04 p.m. EST January 29, 2016
Force's Strength Should Be at Least 980,000, Commissioners Say ["boots-on-the=ground"]
WASHINGTON — A US Army force of 980,000 is “minimally sufficient” for maintaining national security and the National Guard should keep some attack helicopters, the National Commission on the Future of the Army declared in a new report.

These are among 63 recommendations the commission made in a major report released Thursday ahead of its congressionally mandated Feb. 1 deadline.
The findings partly aim to settle friction between the Army and the Guard and many of the recommendations attempt to ensure the reserve components are used regularly and are equipped appropriately, which can be seen as a win for the Guard. Yet, some are arguing that the report doesn’t offer up enough tangible recommendations to heal the rift between the active and reserve forces.
The report also recommends more funding is needed to meet the missions expected of the Army now and in the future, a tall order considering re-institution of full sequestration looms in just a few short years.
Eight commissioners appointed by Congress and the White House examined the Army's structure and policies relating to its size and force mix between the active, Army National Guard and the Army Reserve.
In part, the commission was created to settle a dispute between the active Army and the Guard over a 2013 decision to restructure its aviation fleet.
That plan would retire all of the Army’s OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters and take all AH-64 Apaches out of the National Guard and places them in active units. The Guard pushed back, saying it should mirror the active force in capability.
If implemented, the Aviation Restructure Initiative would save about $12 billion.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/breaking-news/2016/01/28/army-force-commission-calls-apache-compromise-more-troops-europe/79457136/