Video: Sen. Wicker Invites Media To See Effectiveness Of Apache Helicopters At Tupelo Facility

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A Mississippi senator says it is vital for the National Guard to keep its fleet of Apache helicopters.
A proposal to transfer all Apache helicopters from the National Guard to the U S Army is meeting strong opposition.
This morning, a media briefing was held at Tupelo’s Army Aviation Support Facility to show the importance of keeping the Apache with the National Guard. WCBI’s Allie Martin has more.

It took only a few minutes for Senator Roger Wicker to get outfitted for his ride on the Apache helicopter.

The Republican senator has helped lead the effort to allow the National Guard to keep its fleet of Apache attach helicopters, after a proposal last year to move the aircraft from the Guard to the active U S Army.

Senator Wicker took his flight on the attack helicopter from the Army Aviation Support Facility, which maintains 13 of the aircraft.

“We certainly are capable of doing the job, fully trained to do the job, have been to war, from here in Tupelo several times,” Sen. Wicker said.

Indeed, the Apache has played a pivotal role in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and ongoing missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. T

Major General Augustus Collins says it makes sense to keep the Apache aircraft with the National Guard, especially with the threat from ISIS and other radical Islamic groups.

” The fear of senior leaders in the National Guard is if we put all of our combat aviation capability on active duty, if that gets stretched, then we don’t have any depth, the depth comes from the National Guard, and as long as we can maintain combat aviation in the National Guard then we have those soldiers who can be mobilized and deployed,” Maj. Gen. Collins said.

Major Jay Patton is an Apache pilot and instructor, who believes it is vital for the Guard to continue its mission with the Apache.

“I’ve talked to several soldiers in the past who have thanked us for being above them, supporting them. The sense of security they feel when we are above those guys, so in addition to security for the nation, it also provides a sense of security for the soldier as wel,” Maj. Patton said.

A report on the impact of the proposed move is due early next year, until then, no Apaches will be transferred.  The proposed move is part of the Army’s “Aviation Restructuring Initiative.”