A pair of AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters belonging to the 1-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (call sign: Crazyhorse) arrive on station near Sadr City, Iraq after completing a "Battle Hand-Over" with another Attack Weapons Team two-ship, seen at lower left.
1-227th Aviation Regiment’s Apaches and aircrews were the key kinetic enablers for Multi-National Division - Baghdad during the unit’s tour of duty there. During OIF 06-08 (Sept 2006 - Dec 2007), 'First Attack' solely provided around-the-clock area security and reconnaissance, over watch, and responsive fire for eight Brigade Combat Teams (BCT). The battalion was completely integrated with each BCT as their formations executed intense clear and control operations as part of the overall Baghdad Security Plan, Operation Fardh al Qanoon. The operational environment consisted of the City of Baghdad, a densely populated urban terrain, and the Taji and Mada’in regions, dangerous rural areas lying on the periphery of the city. Tremendously lethal and agile, First Attack was a respected and proven combat multiplier to each soldier in and outside the wire in Baghdad. Crazyhorse became synonymous to the 12th man of an infantry squad who had the power to tip the scales in favor of the coalition during any engagement.
Always ready, First Attack responded to over 800 troops-in-contact events during OIF 06-08. The warrior ethos of the First Attack crews was exemplary and was made obvious during five separate downed aircraft situations in which First Attack crews responded first to take charge and secure the area for casualty and aircraft recovery. The First Attack standard led to over 300 successful separate engagements against the enemy and/or enemy materiel. Over the course of OIF 06-08, the 1-227th Aviation Regiment, Crazyhorse, earned the respect and confidence from U.S. and coalition counterparts not due to a total enemy body count, but rather by the responsiveness, precision, and lethal effects they provided.
The Apaches in the painting display the relatively new ASPI (Apache Survivability Product Improvement) redesigned exhaust system and blockers, meant to lower the IR (heat) signature of the aircraft, and the CMWS (Common Missile Warning System) flare launchers and associated sensors on the wingtips and nose, which gives the Apache greater defense against enemy missiles.
Completed 2011
Collection of Dan McClinton
A pair of AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters belonging to the 1-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (call sign: Crazyhorse) arrive on station near Sadr City, Iraq after completing a "Battle Hand-Over" with another Attack Weapons Team two-ship, seen at lower left.
1-227th Aviation Regiment’s Apaches and aircrews were the key kinetic enablers for Multi-National Division - Baghdad during the unit’s tour of duty there. During OIF 06-08 (Sept 2006 - Dec 2007), 'First Attack' solely provided around-the-clock area security and reconnaissance, over watch, and responsive fire for eight Brigade Combat Teams (BCT). The battalion was completely integrated with each BCT as their formations executed intense clear and control operations as part of the overall Baghdad Security Plan, Operation Fardh al Qanoon. The operational environment consisted of the City of Baghdad, a densely populated urban terrain, and the Taji and Mada’in regions, dangerous rural areas lying on the periphery of the city. Tremendously lethal and agile, First Attack was a respected and proven combat multiplier to each soldier in and outside the wire in Baghdad. Crazyhorse became synonymous to the 12th man of an infantry squad who had the power to tip the scales in favor of the coalition during any engagement.
Always ready, First Attack responded to over 800 troops-in-contact events during OIF 06-08. The warrior ethos of the First Attack crews was exemplary and was made obvious during five separate downed aircraft situations in which First Attack crews responded first to take charge and secure the area for casualty and aircraft recovery. The First Attack standard led to over 300 successful separate engagements against the enemy and/or enemy materiel. Over the course of OIF 06-08, the 1-227th Aviation Regiment, Crazyhorse, earned the respect and confidence from U.S. and coalition counterparts not due to a total enemy body count, but rather by the responsiveness, precision, and lethal effects they provided.
The Apaches in the painting display the relatively new ASPI (Apache Survivability Product Improvement) redesigned exhaust system and blockers, meant to lower the IR (heat) signature of the aircraft, and the CMWS (Common Missile Warning System) flare launchers and associated sensors on the wingtips and nose, which gives the Apache greater defense against enemy missiles.