Gunship Flyover

[Countrycuz]

Yesterday afternoon I started to hear a low rumble, figured some big truck going by. The sound got louder, I could feel some vibration. My first thought was the window air conditioning, afraid it was going bad in the 95 degree heat. Now louder yet, I realized what it was and rushed outside. Three Apache helicopters had just flown right over the house. They were low enough to rattle the house.
It's not that unusual to Blackhawks, or even Chinooks, but I've never seen an Apache before. Hope they don't think they need them in Milwaukee this week, they were headed in that general direction. Sorry no pics, they were too fast for me.

 

[Retired W4]

A heavy fire team of AH-64 Apaches is an awesome sight. Their nose mounted 20mm chain gun is slaved to the front seat pilot's helmet. When in the slaved mode the gun follows where the guy looks. One day in the 1990's I was walking across the ramp at Gray AAF, Ft. Hood, TX where a couple AH-64's were running up. The front seater looked at me and that big gun swung around and followed me for a while. I did not go over and drag him out of the cockpit, only because I knew the gun was not hot and figured he was jealous I was flying a C-12C. It's not nice to point a gun at some one, especially that big monster.

 

[whitestang]

My son worked on the electric systems and electronics of the Apache when he was in the Army. He went to Iraq twice and was at Fort Hood the rest of his time.

 

[SMSgt]

A heavy fire team of AH-64 Apaches is an awesome sight. Their nose mounted 20mm chain gun is slaved to the front seat pilot's helmet. When in the slaved mode the gun follows where the guy looks. One day in the 1990's I was walking across the ramp at Gray AAF, Ft. Hood, TX where a couple AH-64's were running up. The front seater looked at me and that big gun swung around and followed me for a while. I did not go over and drag him out of the cockpit, only because I knew the gun was not hot and figured he was jealous I was flying a C-12C. It's not nice to point a gun at some one, especially that big monster.

The fire control techs on the B-52s used to track people walking around the rear of the Buffs when working on the guns system. Little un-nerving to see those 4 .50s staring at you.

 

[Grayfox]

About 1973-74 I was a young troop in 2nd Armored at Ft. Hood. We shared the post with 1st Air Cav. They did a division wide maneuver and I got to see the entire 1st Cav division fly over at once. I swear helicopters (and some fixed wing) of all sizes and shapes passed over for almost an hour.
It was a very impressive sight and I'll always remember it.

 

[llowry61]

About 1973-74 I was a young troop in 2nd Armored at Ft. Hood. We shared the post with 1st Air Cav. They did a division wide maneuver and I got to see the entire 1st Cav division fly over at once. I swear helicopters (and some fixed wing) of all sizes and shapes passed over for almost an hour.
It was a very impressive sight and I'll always remember it.

Can you imagine being on the receiving end of that kind of firepower?

 

[Retired W4]

Ft. Hood is the largest cantonment area in the U.S. The runway at Robert Gray is 10,000x200'. Plenty long for fully loaded C-5's and C-17's. Then there are a couple major heliports. The place is swarming with helicopter of all kinds.

 

[DWalt]

Ft. Hood is the largest cantonment area in the U.S. The runway at Robert Gray is 10,000x200'. Plenty long for fully loaded C-5's and C-17's. Then there are a couple major heliports. The place is swarming with helicopter of all kinds.

For over a year it has been renamed Fort Cavazos. No idea who Cavazos is or was. Looked it up. He was the Army's first Hispanic four star. Died in 2017.

 

[Grayfox]

Can you imagine being on the receiving end of that kind of firepower?

As a matter of fact, I was in an anti-aircraft unit. One of our favorite FTX locations was on top of a plateau that overlooked the aircraft gunnery range. Those Cobras put on one Hell of a show!

 

[boykinlp]

I've never seen an Apache helicopter, but would love to, as long as I wasn't its intended target!
Larry

 

[sigp220.45]

For over a year it has been renamed Fort Cavazos. No idea who Cavazos is or was. Looked it up. He was the Army's first Hispanic four star. Died in 2017.

Pretty impressive bio. A Distinguished Service Cross as a 1LT in Korea, another DSC in Vietnam, 2 Silver Stars, 5 Bronze Stars with V, and a Purple Heart.

 

[Retired W4]

I have a hard time keeping up with all the new names of Bragg, Hood, Rucker, etc. My dear Mother Rucker is now Ft. Novosel, named after a MOH medevac pilot from Vietnam. He and his son actually flew in the same medevac unit for a while.

The gunnery ranges that used to be blown up by UH-1B gunships of my day, and Cobras are now chewed up by the AH-64. My favorite memories of flight school were flying the B model with all the sub-systems. Mastering high angle shots with the 40mm Chunker mounted on the nose took the most skill. In the 80's the ranges were covered with the wires from the TOW missile system.

 

[Auburn4]

Great story. Was at Minot A.F.B. and we just got the brand new B52H's. In the bread truck on the flight line going to my KC-135 that I was Ist wipe on. Sarge looks and stops truck,goes real slow, stops truck again.YELLS WERE GOING TO BE FIRED ON. 6 guys trying to get out the door!!!!

 

[Murphy's Law]

I was once told, that the only reason choppers are able to fly, is because "they beat the air into submission". Having seen a few myself, I believe it to be quite true!

 

[jdh]

For over a year it has been renamed Fort Cavazos. No idea who Cavazos is or was. Looked it up. He was the Army's first Hispanic four star. Died in 2017.

For those of us who spent any time there it will always be Ft. Hood.

 

[Baxter6551]

Why are they renaming Army posts ?

 

[Baxter6551]

They are erasing history renaming Army posts IMO.

Texas' long troubled Fort Hood is renamed after first Hispanic four-star general | CNN

 

[CajunBass]

My wife and I were fishing on the Potomac River some years ago, just off the end of a flight line at Quantico. As we fished I noticed a helicopter coming up the river, obviously heading toward the base. My wife watched it for a minute or so and asked "What are they doing?" Being a Jerk, I said "Probably going to straff us. I'm not sure we're supposed to be here." Her eyes got as big as dinner plates. WHAT?! Then the chopper altered course, and headed straight for us. She was getting more and more nervous. Then she noticed a guy leaning out the door, hanging on a strap. I thought she was going overboard.

The chopper passed over us, the door guy waved, and the aircraft settled at the end of the runway.

"YOU KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO LAND YOU JERK!"

Did you really think they were going to straff a bass boat on the Potomac river? I DON'T KNOW. Who knows what kind of trouble YOU'D get us into. I told her they just saw a pretty girl on the back of the boat and wanted to check her out. That seemed to settle her down. She spent the rest of the day smiling, but still calling me "Jerk."

 

[Grayfox]

Why are they renaming Army posts ?

Because posts named after Confederate Generals were considered to be politically incorrect by the left.
The truth is that giving those posts those names was done to appease Southern members of congress when they were first established. But most of the men chosen were not the best the CSA had.

John Bell Hood was a successful Southern Commander, however he was known for his overly aggressive tactics that got a lot of men needlessly killed.

Although Fort Bragg is one of the Army's top rated and most famous posts, Braxton Bragg was an incompetent leader who achieved his rank due to political and family connections. Nathan Bedford Forrest absolutely hated the man, refused to serve under him, physically threatened him several times and even tried to kill him once.

Renaming these Army Forts was a BS political move and an insult to all the fine soldiers and gallant units which have served on them.

For those of us who spent any time there it will always be Ft. Hood.

DAMNED STRAIGHT!

 

[Retired W4]

...I told her they just saw a pretty girl on the back of the boat and wanted to check her out. That seemed to settle her down. She spent the rest of the day smiling, but still calling me "Jerk."

Good answer!