The Utah Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment welcomed the newest AH-64E Apache Guardian into its ranks in West Jordan, Utah, Nov. 23, 2024. The most advanced attack helicopters enhance the Utah Army National Guard’s air lethality. (Utah Army National Guard photo by: Sgt. Ian Tracy)
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WEST JORDAN, Utah – The 1st Battalion 211th Aviation Regiment, 97th Aviation Troop Command, is increasing its aerial lethality with 24 new AH-64E Apache Guardian attack aircraft.
“The AH-64 Apache first arrived in Utah in 1992. In 2003, the Apache unit, known as the 1-211th Attack & Reconnaissance Battalion, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where they flew coalition attack operations in northeastern Afghanistan,” said Brig. Gen. Keir Scoubes, land component commander of the Utah Army National Guard. “The unit, its pilots and aircraft have now deployed three times since the beginning of the Global War on Terror. Each deployment has improved the capacity of the unit and its leaders, enhanced the skill of its pilots, and increased each member of the unit’s understanding of this fear-inducing aircraft.”
The new Apaches have improved features allowing for more combat lethality and better mobility in mountainous terrain. They will fare better in inclement weather, a plus for the Utah climate.
These Apache Guardian models are “the best attack helicopters in the world,” said Col. John Dzieciolowski, commander of the 97th Aviation Troop Command.
Among the enhancements are advanced computer systems and transmission upgrades.
“The arrival of the AH-64E is exciting not only because it brings the Utah National Guard into parity with the active Army, but just a decade ago, the Guard was in danger of losing the attack helicopter capability altogether,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Joseph VanDrimmelen, a senior pilot for the 1st battalion. “This is special to us because we were able to keep our aircraft and now find ourselves at the forefront of the attack helicopter community.”
