Editing Boeing AH-64 Apache (section)

====21st century====
{{See also|List of aviation shootdowns and accidents during the Iraq War|List of aviation accidents and incidents in the war in Afghanistan}}
[[File:AH-64 from above.jpg|thumb|AH-64 over [[Baghdad]], Iraq, on a reconnaissance mission, 2007]]
[[File:AH-64D Apache Longbow, Al Asad (2164914566).jpg|thumb|AH-64D helicopters gather for an operation]]
[[File:AH-64 Apache extraction exercise.jpg|thumb|AH-64 during an extraction exercise at [[Camp Bondsteel]], Kosovo, in 2007 with a soldier on the avionics bay.]]
[[File:US Army AH-64 Apache extraction exercise.jpg|thumb|Extraction exercise with soldier "riding shotgun" on an Apache]]
[[File:AH-64 Apache 4.jpg|thumb|Ski-equipped AH-64D on exercises in Alaska]]

U.S. Apaches served in [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Operation Enduring Freedom]] in [[Afghanistan]] from 2001.<ref name="Bishop_p33-5">Bishop 2005, pp. 33–35.</ref> It was the only Army platform capable of providing accurate CAS duties for [[Operation Anaconda]], often taking fire and quickly repaired during the intense early fighting.<ref>Bernstein 2005, pp. 16–17.</ref> Apaches often flew in small teams with little autonomy to react to threats and opportunities, requiring lengthy dialogue with centrally [[micromanage]]d command structures.<ref>Adams 2006, pp. 223–224.</ref> U.S. AH-64Ds typically flew in Afghanistan and Iraq without the Longbow Radar in the absence of armored threats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/afghan-field-report-british-wah-64ds-04289/ |title=Afghan Field Report: British WAH-64Ds |website=Defense Industry Daily |date=26 November 2007}}</ref> On 21 December 2009, a pair of U.S. Apaches attacked a British-held base in a [[friendly fire]] incident, killing one British soldier.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-19515309 |title=Christopher Roney inquest: 'Failures led to friendly fire death' |work=BBC News |date=7 September 2012}}</ref>

In 2003, the AH-64 participated in the invasion of Iraq during [[Iraq War|Operation Iraqi Freedom]].<ref name="Bishop_p35-7">Bishop 2005, pp. 35–37.</ref> On 24 March 2003, 31 Apaches were damaged; one was shot down in an [[2003 attack on Karbala|unsuccessful attack]] on an [[Iraqi Republican Guard]] armored brigade near [[Karbala]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/jpost/access/347556641.html?dids=347556641:347556641&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jun+13%2C+2003&author=ERIK+SCHECHTER&pub=Jerusalem+Post&desc=Choppers+on+the+chopping+block%3F&pqatl=google |title=Choppers on the Chopping Block? |first=Erik |last=Schechter |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=13 June 2003 |access-date=5 July 2017 |archive-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025055353/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/jpost/access/347556641.html?dids=347556641:347556641&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jun+13,+2003&author=ERIK+SCHECHTER&pub=Jerusalem+Post&desc=Choppers+on+the+chopping+block%3F&pqatl=google |url-status=dead }}</ref> Iraqi tank crews had set up a "flak trap" among terrain and effectively employed their [[Heavy machine gun|guns]].<ref name=CNN_Apache_downing>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/24/sprj.irq.apache.attack/index.html |title=U.S. Apache Pilots Taken Prisoner |work=CNN|date=24 March 2003}}</ref><ref name=kaplan>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2081906/ |author=Fred Kaplan |author-link=Fred Kaplan (journalist) |title=Chop The Chopper: The Army's Apache Attack-Helicopter Had A Bad War |magazine=Slate |date=23 April 2003}}</ref> Iraqi officials claimed a farmer with a [[vz. 24|Brno]] rifle shot down the Apache,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/03/25/1048354604384.html |title=A City And Regime Steel For Reckoning To Come |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=26 March 2003}}</ref> but the farmer denied involvement.<ref name=Apache_farmer>{{cite news |title=The 'Apache' Farmer's Tale |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2969471.stm |work=BBC News |date=23 April 2003}}</ref> The AH-64 came down intact and the crew [[American POWs in the 2003 invasion of Iraq|were captured]];<ref name=CNN_Apache_downing/> it was destroyed via air strike the following day.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/smgpubs/access/317553631.html?dids=317553631:317553631&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+25%2C+2003&author=&pub=Evening+Times&desc=Downed+Apache+blown+up+to+keep+secrets+from+Iraq&pqatl=google |title=Downed Apache Blown Up To Keep Secrets From Iraq |newspaper=Evening Times |date=25 March 2003 |access-date=5 July 2017 |archive-date=7 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107161748/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/smgpubs/access/317553631.html?dids=317553631:317553631&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+25%2C+2003&author=&pub=Evening+Times&desc=Downed+Apache+blown+up+to+keep+secrets+from+Iraq&pqatl=google |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=B6otAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UXsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6692,4605689&dq=apache+blown+up&hl=en |title=Downed US Apache Blown Up With Missile |website=New Straits Times |date=26 March 2003}}</ref> This incident had significant consequences for the AH-64 helicopter because it revealed an important vulnerability. Despite being considered by army aviators as flying tanks at the time, it became clear that the AH-64 was actually highly susceptible to rifle fire. As a result, the army quietly disclosed in early 2006 that AH-64s would no longer have a major role in carrying out attacks deep inside enemy lines.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ricks |first1=Thomas E. |title=Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq |date=2006 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-1-59420-103-5 |page=119 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7s-uIICROyYC |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:AH-64 vs. Taliban.ogv|thumb|AH-64 engaging Taliban insurgents over Afghanistan]]
By the end of U.S. military operations in Iraq in December 2011, several Apaches had been shot down by enemy fire and lost in accidents. In 2006, an Apache was downed by a Soviet-made [[Strela 2]] (SA-7) in Iraq, despite it being typically able to avoid such missiles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/International/story?id=1515168 |title=Surface-to-Air Missile Downed U.S. Chopper in Iraq |work=ABC News |date=17 January 2006}}</ref> In 2007, four Apaches were destroyed on the ground by insurgent [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] fire using web-published [[geotagged]] photographs taken by soldiers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/75165/Geotagging_poses_security_risks |title=Geotagging poses security risks|author=Cheryl Rodewig|date=7 March 2012 |website=army.mil}}</ref> Several AH-64s were lost to [[List of aviation accidents and incidents in the War in Afghanistan|accidents in Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/helicopter-crashes-in-eastern-afghanistan-2.html |title=Helicopter crashes in eastern Afghanistan |publisher=ISAF – International Security Assistance Force |date=6 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324191534/http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/helicopter-crashes-in-eastern-afghanistan-2.html |archive-date=24 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wmur.com/news/28055361/detail.html |title=Marlborough Soldier Dies in Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan |publisher=Wmur.com |date=28 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313190815/http://www.wmur.com/news/28055361/detail.html |archive-date=13 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.militarytimes.com/valor/soldier/1941909/ |title=Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 William T. Flanigan |website=militarytimes.com |access-date=1 April 2015 |archive-date=8 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108015933/http://www.militarytimes.com/valor/soldier/1941909/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.celebdirtylaundry.com/2008/amputee-combat-vet-daniel-mcconnell%e2%80%99s-inspiring-story/ |title=Amputee Combat Vet Daniel McConnell's Inspiring Story |website=celebdirtylaundry.com |date=26 May 2008 |access-date=1 April 2015}}</ref> Most Apaches that took heavy damage were able to continue their missions and return safely.<ref name=kaplan/> By 2011, the U.S. Army Apache fleet had accumulated more than 3 million flight hours since the first prototype flew in 1975.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boeing.com/rotorcraft/military/ah64d/docs/AH-64D_overview.pdf |title=AH-64D Apache – Overview |publisher=Boeing |access-date=30 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629031919/http://www.boeing.com/rotorcraft/military/ah64d/docs/AH-64D_overview.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> A DOD audit released in May 2011 found that Boeing had frequently overcharged the U.S. Army for routine spare parts in helicopters like the Apache, ranging from 33.3 percent to 177,475 percent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pogo.org/investigation/2011/06/leaked-audit-boeing-overcharged-army-up-to-177000-percent-on-helicopter-spare-parts/ |title=Leaked Audit: Boeing Overcharged Army Up to 177,000 Percent on Helicopter Spare Parts |publisher=Project on Government Oversight (POGO) |date=28 June 2011}}</ref>

On 21 February 2013, the [[229th Aviation Regiment (United States)#1st Battalion, 229th Aviation|1st Battalion (Attack), 229th Aviation Regiment]] at [[Joint Base Lewis–McChord]] became the first U.S. Army unit to field the AH-64E Apache Guardian; a total of 24 AH-64E were received by mid-2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/98383/_Guardian__rises_at_Joint_Base_Lewis_McChord/ |title='Guardian' rises at Joint Base Lewis–McChord |publisher=US Army |date=12 March 2013 |access-date=15 March 2013 |author=Paulsboe, Jesse}}</ref> On 27 November 2013, the AH-64E achieved initial operating capability (IOC).<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-armys-ah-64es-reach-initial-operating-capability-393581/ "US Army's AH-64Es reach initial operating capability"] ''FlightGlobal'', 27 November 2013</ref> In March 2014, the 1st–229th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion deployed 24 AH-64Es to Afghanistan in the type's first combat deployment.<ref>[http://www.dodbuzz.com/2014/05/05/armys-first-ah-64e-unit-deploys-to-afghanistan/ Army's First AH-64E Unit Deploys to Afghanistan] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506200835/http://www.dodbuzz.com/2014/05/05/armys-first-ah-64e-unit-deploys-to-afghanistan/ |date=6 May 2014}} – DoDBuzz.com, 5 May 2014</ref> From April through September 2014, AH-64Es in combat maintained an 88 percent readiness rate.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-army-details-combat-experience-with-ah-64e-404735/ "US Army details combat experience with AH-64E"]. ''FlightGlobal'', 14 October 2014</ref> The unit's deployment ended in November 2014, with the AH-64E accumulating 11,000 flight hours, each helicopter averaging 66 hours per month. The AH-64E flies {{convert|20|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} faster than the AH-64D, cutting response time by 57 percent, and has better [[fuel efficiency]], increasing time on station from 2.5–3 hours to 3–3.5 hours; Taliban forces were reportedly surprised by the AH-64E attacking sooner and for longer periods. AH-64Es also worked with medium and large [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s (UAVs) to find targets and maintain positive ID, conducting 60 percent of the unit's direct-fire engagements in conjunction with UAVs; Guardian pilots often controlled UAVs and accessed their video feeds to use their greater altitudes and endurance to see the battlespace from standoff ranges.<ref>[http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/01/28/commander-armys-new-ah64e-apache-surprised-enemy-in.html Commander: Army's New AH-64E Apache Surprised Enemy in Afghanistan] – Military.com, 28 January 2015</ref><ref name="armytimes1feb15">[http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/tech/2015/02/01/new-apaches-confused-enemy-boeing-gamechanger-chinook/22493523/ New Apache confounded the enemy in combat, commander says] – Armytimes.com, 1 February 2015</ref><ref>[http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20150219.aspx Taliban Troubled By Timing] – Strategypage.com, 19 February 2015</ref>

In 2014, the Army began implementing a plan to move all Apaches from the Army Reserve and National Guard to the active Army to serve as scout helicopters to replace the [[OH-58 Kiowa]]. Using the AH-64 to scout would be less expensive than Kiowa upgrades or purchasing a new scout helicopter. AH-64Es can control UAVs like the [[MQ-1C Grey Eagle]] to perform aerial scouting missions; a 2010 study found the teaming of Apaches and UAVs was the most cost-effective alternative to a new helicopter and would meet 80 percent of reconnaissance requirements, compared to 20 percent with existing OH-58s and 50 percent with upgraded OH-58s. National Guard units, who would lose their attack helicopters, criticized the proposal.<ref>[http://breakingdefense.com/2014/01/budgets-betrayal-national-guard-fights-to-keep-apache-gunships/ Budgets & 'Betrayal': National Guard Fights To Keep Apache Gunships] – Breakingdefense.com, 23 January 2014</ref><ref>Head, Elan. "[http://www.verticalmag.com/news/article/ArizonaGuardleaderblastsArmyplantoseizeApaches Arizona Guard leader blasts Army plan to 'seize' Apaches]" ''Vertical Magazine'', 28 April 2014.</ref> In March 2015, the first heavy attack reconnaissance unit was formed with 24 Apaches and 12 Shadow UAVs.<ref>[http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/03/16/apache-battalion-conversion/70227902/ First of 10 Apache units converts, adds 12 Shadow UASs] – Armytimes.com, 16 March 2015</ref>

In July 2014, the Pentagon announced that Apaches had been dispatched to Baghdad to protect embassy personnel from [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] militant attacks. On 4 October 2014, Apaches began performing missions in [[2014 military intervention against ISIS|Operation Inherent Resolve]] against Islamic State ground forces.<ref>[http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20141005/NEWS08/310050035/Army-Apache-helos-used-strikes-against-Islamic-State "Army Apache helos used in strikes against Islamic State"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005175312/http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20141005/NEWS08/310050035/Army-Apache-helos-used-strikes-against-Islamic-State |date=5 October 2014 }}. ''Military Times'', 5 October 2014</ref> In October 2014, U.S. Army AH-64s and Air Force fighters participated in four air strikes on Islamic State units northeast of Fallujah.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} In June 2016, Apaches were used in support of the Iraqi Army's [[Shirqat offensive (2016)|Mosul offensive]]<ref>[http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/06/15/in-iraq-apache-gunships-deploy-mosul-but-not-fallujah-pentagon.html In Iraq, Apache Gunships Deploy to Mosul, But Not Fallujah: Pentagon] – Military.com, 15 June 2016</ref> and provided support during the [[Battle of Mosul (2016)|Battle of Mosul]], sometimes flying night missions supporting Iraqi operations.<ref>[http://www.dodbuzz.com/2016/10/19/apaches-go-action-mosul-offensive/ Apache Helicopters Go into Action in Mosul Offensive] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020042357/http://www.dodbuzz.com/2016/10/19/apaches-go-action-mosul-offensive/ |date=20 October 2016}} – DoDBuzz.com, 19 October 2016</ref> In December 2019, two Apaches provided overwatch for U.S. Marines to secure the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq after armed militants, supported by Iran, attempted to storm the facility.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2019/12/31/100-us-marines-2-apache-helicopters-reinforcing-embassy-in-baghdad-iraq-after-attack/ |title=100 U.S. Marines, two Apache helicopters reinforcing embassy in Baghdad after attack |website=MarineCorpsTimes.com |date=31 December 2019 |access-date=31 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/iran-launches-missiles-us-air-bases-iraq-us/story?id=68130625 |title=Iran launches missiles at US military facilities in Iraq |website=ABC News |access-date=7 January 2020}}</ref>

In March 2024, two Apache crashes within two days increased scrutiny.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Falconer |first=Rebecca |title=U.S. Army investigates 2 Apache helicopter crashes within 48 hours |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/03/28/army-apache-helicopter-crashes |website= axios.com |date=28 March 2024}}</ref>