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I was just perusing through the warrant officer HRC pages the other day and remembered something that piqued my interest awhile back. What is up with the Lakota? I've seen them at Ft. Irwin, Belvoir, and Rucker. I know some Guard units have them (seen them buzzing around in Colorado & Illinois) as well.

 

Has anyone done the UH-72 transition and was it worth the three years away from your primary airframe? I think it would be a neat temporary assignment to be able to 'cross-train' into another platform to diversify my rotary-wing experience, but with cut-throat promotion rates for warrants, any time away from building PC time + tracking in your primary airframe seems like a bit of a death sentence.

 

A few other questions I have --

1. For active duty, if you are a tracked PC, does your track 'carry-over' to -72 in your 3 year stint?

2. How do these airframe assignments work in the Guard? Are you temporarily assigned to it from your primary aircraft and/or fly both? Or is it more or less your primary aircraft if you're assigned to it?

 

Thanks!

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2. How do these airframe assignments work in the Guard? Are you temporarily assigned to it from your primary aircraft and/or fly both? Or is it more or less your primary aircraft if you're assigned to it?

 

Thanks!

 

In the guard, most people are rated in another airframe first and are assigned to the S&S (security & support) or Medevac detachments later.

 

The S&S has a good mix of missions that keeps it interesting.

 

Particulars vary from state to state, but I have seen about an even split regarding additional/alternate aircraft assignments. Some fly the 60 or fly the C-12 as well as the -72. Others are only Lakota pilots and that is where they stay.

 

Although I can not speak to the career implications of a UH-72 tour, I truly enjoy flying it. If your career can stand it, I recommend jumping on it.

 

It is a very good IFR platform (if a bit slow) and fun to fly. Very relaxing.

 

Depending on your future aspirations, having Airbus Helicopter (Eurocopter) time on your resume and some strong RW IFR experience can't hurt.

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Interesting. Thanks for the feedback, hobbit64.

 

S&S seems like an interesting mission in the ARNG; that alone makes the AQC worthwhile in my opinion. And like you said, EC145 time certainly won't hurt. Do you think an AD tour in the Airbus would make it easier falling into one right away in the Guard? Or is it a carrot for the guys already established in their units (kinda like the C-12)?

 

And Yamer, latest word is that the ARNG is hanging on to their UH-72 fleet since they offer more utility to state Governors than an attack platform. Again, it's all talk until it happens, but the RA is talking about acquiring 100 new UH-72s over the next two years for the training fleet.

 

Anyone have experience flying the -72 on active duty?

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Interesting. Thanks for the feedback, hobbit64.

 

S&S seems like an interesting mission in the ARNG; that alone makes the AQC worthwhile in my opinion. And like you said, EC145 time certainly won't hurt. Do you think an AD tour in the Airbus would make it easier falling into one right away in the Guard? Or is it a carrot for the guys already established in their units (kinda like the C-12)?

 

 

With 50+ States & Territories running their respective programs according to local ideas, politics, and needs I can't give you a definitive answer other than, 'It can't hurt'.

It is all timing and opportunity.

 

I left AD, and then the IRR. After a 4 year break, I came knocking on my states door looking to get back into a green helicopter. My states main effort is an assault battalion. I planned on flying hawks and looked forward to it utill I was told about the Counter Drug (CD) program and the subsequent shift to the S&S MTOE re-organization.

 

Being that most people in the state went through BCS (yes I'm old) in the Huey, they were short OH-58 qualified pilots to fill the S&S that was flying -58A+'s at the time. I was initially a 'Gun' pilot and flew -58's in BCS so I was qualified and had the choice. I chose the S&S and flew CD in the -58's for a while until the -72's came around. The S&S is a true collision of cultures. You'll play junior utility pilot doing light Utility missions some days and then play junior scout pilot and go looking for dope, or damage after a hurricane. Or carry a CBP agent looking for mexicans sneaking across the border. We also do SAR and Hoists. Lots of variety.

 

If you're looking to get out and still fly in the guard, getting a good amount of time in one would be a good move. 1. If there is an opening on an S&S MTOE, you'd be very competitive. 2. HEMS 3. LSI @ Rucker teaching.

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Interesting. Thanks for the feedback, hobbit64.

 

S&S seems like an interesting mission in the ARNG; that alone makes the AQC worthwhile in my opinion. And like you said, EC145 time certainly won't hurt. Do you think an AD tour in the Airbus would make it easier falling into one right away in the Guard? Or is it a carrot for the guys already established in their units (kinda like the C-12)?

 

And Yamer, latest word is that the ARNG is hanging on to their UH-72 fleet since they offer more utility to state Governors than an attack platform. Again, it's all talk until it happens, but the RA is talking about acquiring 100 new UH-72s over the next two years for the training fleet.

 

Anyone have experience flying the -72 on active duty?

 

Yes, I did the 72 course at Eurocopter back in 2010 and flew them at Irwin. Great aircraft, flies real nice, though I did miss not having wheels... Now that I'm getting out and looking for a civilian flying job my EC-145 experience is paying huge dividends, so many civilian companies fly the EC-145; it's everywhere. I got 500 hours in 2.5 years, NTC had a huge flying hour program and probably always will due to their training mission. I can't speak to what the army is going to do vis a vis airframe moves and budgets and such, I don't think anyone knows which way the wind is going to blow in the next few years. Just saw a brief at work today that said the army can't afford to make as many new AH-64 pilots as they're going to need when they divest the 58D. I'd recommend taking the 72 transition only if you're an IP or IFE in your wartime aircraft, that'll really set you up for civilian work; we were always shorthanded on IP's, they're highly in demand.

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Wait, the Army isnt going to be able to afford AQT for all the 58D guys? Or they cant afford the 64D flight hours as scouts?

 

The report I saw said the army can't afford to train all 58D pilots in the 64...so there will be a selection process and many will get booted. I use that as an example of how confused the army is about everything. For the OP, you may come up with a great plan to go fly the UH-72 in Hohenfels for example, and the next day they'll shut down JMTC. Keep your options open and get as many aircraft quals as you can, IMO.

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  • 3 weeks later...

For active duty pilots, where is the UH-72 AQC done?

Do unit IPs train incoming aviators, is the AQC a TDY en route at Rucker, or does the Army send you to a civilian contracted school (e.g. FSI for the C-12 AQC)?

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Just met a guy here at my work that recently promoted to CW3. Tracked as an IP in 64s. Got assigned out here in Germany, did the transition course and instructor course before arriving. I honestly don't think this will hurt his career.

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For active duty pilots, where is the UH-72 AQC done?

Do unit IPs train incoming aviators, is the AQC a TDY en route at Rucker, or does the Army send you to a civilian contracted school (e.g. FSI for the C-12 AQC)?

AQC would be at Fort Indiantown Gap, though it may move to Rucker...timing is everything. I did the course at the Eurocopter factory in Grand Prairie TX back in the day.

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  • 2 months later...

It'll be interesting to see if they ever make -72s their own full-time track. In it's current role and configuration, probably never since it doesn't meet all the military specs to be considered deployable. However, at Quad A 2014, Airbus was advertising a light armed scout + MEDEVAC "battle hardened" models that can more closely meet the Army's specs in comparison to the current UH-72A.

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