The U. S. Army is slated to deploy 24 AH-64D Apache heavy attack helicopters to the Korean Peninsula to better deter military threats from North Korea, United States Forces Korea (USFK) announced in a January 8 statement.
The heavy attack helicopters will replace\u00a030 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior observation and light attack helicopters. Around 360 U. S. Army personnel are expected to replace a similar number of U. S. troops currently serving with the OH-58D unit.
\u201cThe 1-6th Heavy Attack Reconnaissance Squadron (H-ARS) will begin to arrive to Korea on this month, bringing with them 24 AH-64 Apache helicopters. As part of a scheduled rotation, the Apaches will replace the 30 OH58D\u2019s currently stationed on the Korean Peninsula,\u201d the statement reads.
\u201cThe helicopters will be temporarily housed at Suwon Airbase until the new aviation facilities at Camp Humphreys are ready.\u201d\u00a0 The U. S. Army base\u2013the largest U. S. military garrison in Asia\u2013is located near the city of Pyeongtaek, around 70 kilometers south of Seoul.
All 24 helicopters are scheduled to arrive by early February.
\u201cOf the 24 AH-64 Apache helicopters, 16 will temporarily reside at Suwon Air Base, primarily for maintenance and limited readiness training, while the primary training facility will remain at Camp Humphreys, which will house the remaining aircraft.\u201d
The AH-64D Apache heavy attack helicopter is one of the world\u2019s most advanced multirole combat helicopter currently in service. Armed with laser-guided precision Hellfire missiles, 70 millimeter rockets, and a 30 millimeter automatic canon, the aircraft\u2019s primary mission would be to stop incoming North Korean main battle tanks in the event of war.
The South Korean military has placed a $1.6 billion order for 36 AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters, a more advanced version than the AH-64D, in 2013. In late December 2016, South Korea conducted its first military exercise involving six AH-64Es. U. S. defense contractor Boeing is slated to deliver all 36 heavy attack helicopters by the end of 2017.
As part of the contract, Boeing delivered the first AH-64 Apache training system in August 2016. \u201cBoeing will provide two years of training and maintenance on the system. The delivery completes one portion of South Korea\u2019s $1.6 billion order for 36 Guardian helicopters and training and logistical support,\u201d the company noted in a press release.<\/p>\n