The Army’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopters have achieved Initial Operating Capability right on schedule, in the service’s latest acquisition milestone for the program, the Army said.

Soldiers of the 1-229th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, known as “Tigersharks,” commanded by Lt. Col. John Davis, were issued their first AH-64E Apache in January 2013.

AH-64E IOC Ceremony   Photo: Boeing

Fielding and individual training were completed in May 2013, and the battalion was designated as the Army’s First Unit Equipped with the Army’s newest attack helicopters, which are produced by Boeing [BA].

The unit completed three rotations at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, Calif., High Altitude Mountainous Environment Training (HAMET) in Idaho, and Operation Rising Thunder exercise working with Japanese AH-64Ds at Yakima Training Center, Wash.

In a ceremony at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord home of the 1-229th ARB Nov. 21, 2013,  Army Product Manager for Longbow Apache, Lt. Col. Talmadge Sheppard said: “This is a truly monumental achievement. The Tigersharks have displayed amazing flexibility and organization. Understanding all that must be accomplished prior to overseas deployment in early 2014, this unit’s soldiers have been extremely busy, and successful.”

AH-64E   Photo: Boeing

At the ceremony, Boeing Vice President of Attack Helicopter Programs David Koopersmith said: “Boeing teammates are proud of our long-standing record of support of soldiers in designing, producing and delivering Apache helicopters. It’s inspiring to see the carefully crafted technologies being effectively employed by well-trained aviators and maintainers.”

The 1-229th has flown more than 670 hours over the last month with an average operational tempo of 27 hours per airframe per month.  To date, the AH-64 Apache fleet has accumulated more than 3.7 million hours, of which almost 6,000 are with the Echo model.

“Right now there are soldiers out there in harm’s way, and they know everything is going to be all right when they hear that Apache flying over the horizon,” said Col. Jeffrey Hager, project manager for Apache Helicopters. “I’m extremely proud of the 1-229th and what they’ve achieved in such a short time. This is a remarkable milestone for Team Apache and our Army.”

Davis said: “This is our initial operations capabilities check.  We’re a ‘Go’.”