Quote:
Originally Posted by shrike6
A little confused, the 21st Cav was a TDA unit in charge of Apache training and was called the "Apache Training Brigade" before mid 1996. Did they stop training Apache Pilots for the US Army and allies when III Corps deployed? Also where are the 16th, 164th, 165th or theFlying Mustangs of 15th Av Bde being used?
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I BS'd that as part of an attempt to get each of at least the primarily active-duty corps an aviation brigade. (GDW's assignment of 6 ACCB and 18th Avn Bde gave XVIII Airborne Corps two and left none for III Corps).
What I have from my notes for 21 ACCB:
This unit was originally formed in the mid-1980s as a centralized training unit for AH-64 Apache battalions, known as the Apache Training Brigade. By 1993, the Apache had been widely fielded and the unit initially was slated to deactivate, but instead it was retained and designated as III Corps’ supporting combat aviation brigade, assigned two AH-64 battalions and single UH-60, CH-47 and support aviation units.
1-229th Attack Helicopter Bn: 18 AH-64, 13 OH-58C, 3 UH-60A
4-227th Attack Helicopter Bn: 18 AH-64, 13 OH-58C, 3 UH-60A
1-108th Aviation Bn (USAR): 46 UH-60
3-159th Aviation Bn (USAR): 72 UH-1H
Co G, 104th Aviation (CT NG): 13 CH-47D
(I created the Apache units, the other units came from elsewhere in the force structure, which was a hot mess!)
The other aviation brigades I have are:
1 (Training) - Remains at Rucker under TRADOC
6 ACCB - XVIII Airborne Corps
11th - VII Corps
12th - V Corps
17th - 8th Army
18th - XVIII Airborne Corps
21 ACCB - III Corps
22 - XI Corps
27 - XX Corps
66 - I Corps
128 - SOUTHCOM
160 SOAR - SOCCENT
166 - XXIII Corps
Filling those units out required the creation of three attack helo battalions (two active duty for 21 ACCB and a USAR AH-1 battalion for 22nd Bde); between those units, the divisional aviation brigades and cav squadrons and the ACRs the US Army's inventory of helicopters looks pretty slim, even with continued Cold War-era production rates.