If you're in the USAF, everyone not in the USAF asks if you're a pilot. It's as if they think the planes are just magically on the runway fueled and armed waiting for someone to hop in. Someone has to fuel it, arm it, make sure the pilots are paid, get the commander his coffee, and keep the comms running. Thank you for showing a small glimpse of the behind the scenes effort going into these machines.
@@crazygmanssimstuff I was referencing my own experience being in the Air Force. I assume the other branches have a similar experience. If you're in the Army everyone will assume you're infantry.
Chieftain, it was a pleasure meeting you last month at my unit’s exercise and enjoyed our discussion on tanks, Wargaming, and information warfare. Hopefully we’ll see you again in April.
Loving these 'interview' style vids! You really ask all the right questions, and manage to make things understandable even for those that don't have a military background! Please keep them coming!
Although as a person that hasn't been to army (yet), isn't American and doesn't speak English too fluently things aren't so simple. All those organisations and "Charlie 15" or whatever don't mean almost anything to me. But that doesn't matter, as long as I'm watching the Chieftain!
The Gray Eagle was surprisingly fascinating to see being put together. Guys in the background putting propellers and tails on like it's no big thing. 36 hours of endurance is very impressive.
The thing literally comes in a series of big boxes. It’s designed to be easily palletized for transport either by truck or quickly air loaded. They moved that across post and the longest part of the process was waiting in trucks to be dispatched from the motor pool.
I was a 15J (OH-58D Armament/Avionics/Electrical Systems Repairer, just like the the interviewee’s original MOS here) from 2005-2011. It is extremely satisfying to see some maintainer loving. This video has brought back some warm and fuzzy memories. Thanks, Chieftain!
I can hear the care he is taking to avoid classified information. Very well done. And I LOVE this sort of video. I also love the fact that Nick has no problem whatsoever saying "I don't understand." The mark of real intelligence.
Hello Chieftan! I'm a 15R, Apache maintainer. I'm glad to see you jump right into the maintenence side of the Apache from the get-go. That side of the birds life is often ignored in media
As a former CW2 aviator I'm happy to see the enlisted guys in the spotlight. They work their butts off to make the birds fly and don't get nearly enough recognition for it. 👍👍
As a ground dude I love the Kiowa too never had alot of love for the 64s in iraq but loved it when the 58s were overhead. Those guys got in the weeds with us. I have some incredible stories of watching 58 drivers leaning out the door firing his M4 at people on tje ground
Great stuff! As an old Cessna driver, viewing this aspect of Army aviation is fascinating. I was also my own mechanic, so I appreciate the tough labor these guys put in dealing with complex, aging systems. Thank you!
So cool that it’s shown to the general public how maintenance heavy military aviation can be and how specialized those mechanics need to be in order to keep everything running smoothly. While you’re there, pop over a couple of hangars to see how it’s done at the Royal Netherlands Airforce Detachment also operating Apaches and Chinooks. As the RNLAF has to adhere to militarized civil aviation regulations, that maintenance is even more regulated and controlled. Nice video and a cool insight into other branches! 👌🏼
Not only that but just the differences in force structure organization, a GSAB is basically a smaller version of a CVW since you have Assualt(A Co), heavy lift (B Co), Medevac (C Co), Maintenance (D Co), and Scouts (E Co) which used to be Kiowas and OH-6's but now are all UAS'. And within each company obviously you are further sub divided than that.
I was going to ignore this vid cause no tracks or wheels involved. But Chieftain knows how to ask question to make us all understand what is going on. Fascinating!
Thank you for this. It gives me more respect for how much work goes into maintaining these vehicles. I didn't know that it was so specialized and planned. It differentiates between a military that works well and one that doesn't.
Thanks Nick. Having been in the military and worked with the military as part of my job - it is fascinating to listen to you and these guys talk about their jobs. There is just a tremendous amount of effort that does into making all this stuff work and a lot of competent, intelligent people out there making it happen. .
I was fascinated by the fact that the maintainers seem to have invented their own "maintainer hierarchy" independent of actual rank. The corollary seems to be the amount of power that the NCOs have within that structure: having graduated TWO independent rank structures. How do their officers access that technical knowledge (or are they just forced to be more hands off in those NCO-dominated, highly technical areas)?
I fabricated the prototypes prisms for TADS in the later 70s and continued fabbing parts for the system adding parts for PNVS through 3 generations and prototyping gen 4 until 2012 when the company, who acquired us, POed the likes of LM, Nothrop, Raytheon etc.etc.... and had the contracts pulled.. Always heard good things about the system especially gen 2 and 3. Always wondered how the optics hold up.
I’m a former Air Force maintainer. I never knew how similar army aviation maintenance was to Air Force maintenance. It is funny trying to explain that a crew chief is just a regular mechanic and not a leadership position. I also find it interesting that army pilots and crew chiefs are in the same platoon. In the air force pilots are in 1 squadron and maintainers are in their own separate squadron. Atleast that’s how it was in AMC. I don’t know if the organization of fighter wings are different.
I was originally trained as an AH-1 Aircraft Fire Control Repairman, 68J10. I got sent to AH-64 school and picked up the X1 designator. There were a few things about the Apache that were better than the Cobra, but I still love the Cobra better. I also picked up the S9 designator, an OH-58(I) Fire Control Repairman. Not sure when they changed from 68 series.
You don't see Walking Warrants because they're too busy being Flying Warrants lol. But yeah man in my Medevac unit I'd say at least half the pilots were Warrants so as someone who spent my entire time in aviation I never really understood this whole mysticism about spotting WO's since my unit's safety officer was a W-5 who I saw everyday.
You know, when i was in the 504th, i kept meaning to stop and wander through that open air museum you're standing at the start, but i never got around to it. I'm sad now.
I noticed that you're not in uniform, but the interviewees kept saying "sir". I'm guessing that they're just being courteous (being raised right and such), or even if you're not there on official Army business they're still supposed to acknowledge the rank?
AFAIK they act like everyone's a superior officer unless they're an enlisted. When I go to airshows, if I ask questions of the crews at the static displays, they "sir" me. Me, a useless civilian 😅
Good choice of people to represent the service- respectful, well-spoken, and they have their stuff down cold. I'll just pretend I understand all the milspeak...
Close to 35yrs ago, but, happened often enough I recall hearing "RTB" & "Chip Light". Of course, I was USCG & RM at a RADSTA & the help was, already old H-52s on SAR - FWIW, HU-16s were, I was told, falling apart on landing. Hyperbole or true, maybe bit of both, IDK. Point is about all this is, AH64 is getting close to the age, now, that those H52s were, then. Doesn't take more than one or two incidents per year for nervous making.
Desert Storm vet here and made an observation that the only thing prettier than a flight of Apaches flying to the front is seeing them return empty knowing there is that much less stuff left in front of us. Of course we Air Defenders were pretty much along for the ride except the Vulcans.
Weird to me that the maintainers do the missiles and rockets! In the UK as groundcrew we just did the ordinance, moving the cabs around and fuelling (when the RAF aren't doing it). The AGMs are a two person job not too tricky just line them up, but don't take too long... (!) Definitely don't bang your hands against the thin strakes against something, sharp. It's been a while and didn't do it for long, but I really miss working with Apache.
Chieftain, do you think that the attack helicopter has absorbed the role of the tank destroyer on the battlefield? Also, how do you perform track-tension on the AH-64?
I believe it was indeed developed as such. The role may have changed a little bit, but when Apache was being developed for the Attack Helicopter Battalion for service in Germany, it seems right up the same alley
Hmm. Seems a Crew Chief does not mean what I thought it meant.... As a civilian crew chief working for a charter outfit I was responsible for all aircraft flying the next day out of our base!! Of several differant types!
Those opening scenes confirm that the Chieftain is a giant in his field.
In fairness yes, but SSG Gladden is also really short.
Every time I see Nick standing next to someone, I can't help but think "how the hell is that guy a tanker"
Especially when he's wearing that Cavalry hat.
Why does Nick, the largest tanker, not simply eat the Apache maintenance crew?
Turns out, once you're in the army, nobody checks if your too tall when you transfer to tanks
How tall is he?
First thing i said look how tall he is lol!
If you're in the USAF, everyone not in the USAF asks if you're a pilot. It's as if they think the planes are just magically on the runway fueled and armed waiting for someone to hop in. Someone has to fuel it, arm it, make sure the pilots are paid, get the commander his coffee, and keep the comms running.
Thank you for showing a small glimpse of the behind the scenes effort going into these machines.
Except Apaches are Army..
Not air force, but your point isn't wrong.
Ryan Macbeth had a good video on the maintenance team and even the E4 mafia in charge of getting parts from other units.
@@crazygmanssimstuff I was referencing my own experience being in the Air Force. I assume the other branches have a similar experience.
If you're in the Army everyone will assume you're infantry.
@@jimbo9305 That's more Marines...Or rather Marines try to make all of their guys infantry.
But are you a pilot or not ? the suspense is killing me.
As a former AF 462x0 I was really pleased to see the initial focus on maintenance, including logistics and training.
It's the logical place to start. No maintenance means no flying.
Rotor Tension is supremely important 👍
Can't fly the thing if it won't start. ^_^
@@Archangelm127 As a former 421x3 I wonder what kind of ground equipment is required for both birds.
@@markfergerson2145 As a lifelong civilian, I too am curious. ;)
Chieftain, it was a pleasure meeting you last month at my unit’s exercise and enjoyed our discussion on tanks, Wargaming, and information warfare. Hopefully we’ll see you again in April.
Oh, hey. I'll be around. Might be in a different CP though.
Nice to see some love for the modern Tank Destroyer units
Loving these 'interview' style vids! You really ask all the right questions, and manage to make things understandable even for those that don't have a military background! Please keep them coming!
Concur
Although as a person that hasn't been to army (yet), isn't American and doesn't speak English too fluently things aren't so simple. All those organisations and "Charlie 15" or whatever don't mean almost anything to me. But that doesn't matter, as long as I'm watching the Chieftain!
@@laurisikio The number-letter things designate an MOS--Military Occupational Specialty. Basically it's a shorthand way of referring to one's job.
The Gray Eagle was surprisingly fascinating to see being put together. Guys in the background putting propellers and tails on like it's no big thing.
36 hours of endurance is very impressive.
The thing literally comes in a series of big boxes. It’s designed to be easily palletized for transport either by truck or quickly air loaded. They moved that across post and the longest part of the process was waiting in trucks to be dispatched from the motor pool.
22:50 when the Chieftan asked about crosswind capability I was reminded he’s also a light aircraft pilot. Brilliant video!
I was a 15J (OH-58D Armament/Avionics/Electrical Systems Repairer, just like the the interviewee’s original MOS here) from 2005-2011. It is extremely satisfying to see some maintainer loving. This video has brought back some warm and fuzzy memories. Thanks, Chieftain!
I can hear the care he is taking to avoid classified information. Very well done. And I LOVE this sort of video. I also love the fact that Nick has no problem whatsoever saying "I don't understand." The mark of real intelligence.
Hello Chieftan! I'm a 15R, Apache maintainer. I'm glad to see you jump right into the maintenence side of the Apache from the get-go. That side of the birds life is often ignored in media
As a former CW2 aviator I'm happy to see the enlisted guys in the spotlight. They work their butts off to make the birds fly and don't get nearly enough recognition for it. 👍👍
As a ground dude I love the Kiowa too never had alot of love for the 64s in iraq but loved it when the 58s were overhead. Those guys got in the weeds with us. I have some incredible stories of watching 58 drivers leaning out the door firing his M4 at people on tje ground
Great stuff! As an old Cessna driver, viewing this aspect of Army aviation is fascinating. I was also my own mechanic, so I appreciate the tough labor these guys put in dealing with complex, aging systems. Thank you!
I’m just starting and looking forwards to “oh bugger, the Apache is on fire” and learning how we tension the tracks on it.
So cool that it’s shown to the general public how maintenance heavy military aviation can be and how specialized those mechanics need to be in order to keep everything running smoothly. While you’re there, pop over a couple of hangars to see how it’s done at the Royal Netherlands Airforce Detachment also operating Apaches and Chinooks. As the RNLAF has to adhere to militarized civil aviation regulations, that maintenance is even more regulated and controlled. Nice video and a cool insight into other branches! 👌🏼
I was a Navy helo maintainer. It's crazy to me how different the army and navy maintenance organizations are.
Tbf salt water changes allot. Army doesnt have to worry about that as much
Not only that but just the differences in force structure organization, a GSAB is basically a smaller version of a CVW since you have Assualt(A Co), heavy lift (B Co), Medevac (C Co), Maintenance (D Co), and Scouts (E Co) which used to be Kiowas and OH-6's but now are all UAS'. And within each company obviously you are further sub divided than that.
With this & the Dragon Wagon, I'm enjoying these tank-adjacent videos.
I was going to ignore this vid cause no tracks or wheels involved.
But Chieftain knows how to ask question to make us all understand what is going on.
Fascinating!
It’s interesting to me to see the similarities and differences between this and the armament and weapons maintenance I did on USAF jets.
Same for the helicopter maintenance. Having to put a human on board with all the outputs they have to have means a huge increase in weight.
Thank you for this. It gives me more respect for how much work goes into maintaining these vehicles. I didn't know that it was so specialized and planned. It differentiates between a military that works well and one that doesn't.
Thanks Nick. Having been in the military and worked with the military as part of my job - it is fascinating to listen to you and these guys talk about their jobs.
There is just a tremendous amount of effort that does into making all this stuff work and a lot of competent, intelligent people out there making it happen.
.
How do you tension the tracks on these things?
What do you think the chain in the chain gun is?
26 knot crosswind is twice as much as I could in a private plane. UAV's are the way to go. I like hearing the maintenance guys perspective.
I was fascinated by the fact that the maintainers seem to have invented their own "maintainer hierarchy" independent of actual rank. The corollary seems to be the amount of power that the NCOs have within that structure: having graduated TWO independent rank structures. How do their officers access that technical knowledge (or are they just forced to be more hands off in those NCO-dominated, highly technical areas)?
Boring? Hell no! This sort of stuff really floats my boat 🙂
I fabricated the prototypes prisms for TADS in the later 70s and continued fabbing parts for the system adding parts for PNVS through 3 generations and prototyping gen 4 until 2012 when the company, who acquired us, POed the likes of LM, Nothrop, Raytheon etc.etc.... and had the contracts pulled.. Always heard good things about the system especially gen 2 and 3. Always wondered how the optics hold up.
The TH-cam subtitles had just as much trouble understanding SSG Gladon as i did.
I may have gotten 3/4s of it, but it was still informative.
20:40 "There's a massive container back there"
What container, all I see is a wall... oh.
Had the same enlightening Moment 😅
As an AH-64 enthusiast, this was great!
Thanks Nick!
I’m a former Air Force maintainer. I never knew how similar army aviation maintenance was to Air Force maintenance. It is funny trying to explain that a crew chief is just a regular mechanic and not a leadership position. I also find it interesting that army pilots and crew chiefs are in the same platoon. In the air force pilots are in 1 squadron and maintainers are in their own separate squadron. Atleast that’s how it was in AMC. I don’t know if the organization of fighter wings are different.
Just think of it as just keeping up with tank destroyer training and implementation
God bless it, I just left 1-227 after 6 years there as a 15R. I just missed meeting you!!!!
Wow. Nice 1 Chieftain. I was an apache nut as a boy. Had the microprose games and everything. Cheers again old boy.
Microprose, that brings back memories.
I spent many an hour on Gunship 2000 as an 8-year old
Never played the Apache series, bit did play Comache 4. Fun game
@@matthewbrasel2737 They had commanches in gunship 2000
recently graduated into british army aviation, its a LOT of work just to keep these things in one piece, let alone not falling apart
“Chieftain: Into the combined arms-verse”
Always be nice to maintenance, always be nice to facilities, and *always always always* be nice to food services. ;)
I enjoyed this video so much that I noticed the lack of track tensioning at the end
Excellent video. I will watch the others and I would be happy to view more of these kinds of videos.
I love this sorta content, I rarely see this sort of stuff on TH-cam, you’re a treasure Sir.
This is a very interesting insight. I’d love to see something similar for all the support elements that are part of tank operations!
These interviews are some of the greatest videos ever made
The Grey Eagle part was very interesting.
I recognize that hangar. For decades it was occupied by B Co 404th ASB, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division.
if Chieftan is at Fort Hood, he should be careful he isn't mugged or murdered. That base is nuts .
This is great. I love these interviews. I've always been interested in the behind-the-scenes stuff. 👍
HEY, Fort Worth! That's super close to where I used to live as a kid!
Helicopter: noun, A collection of spare parts, flying in extremely close formation, usually around an oil leak.
I was originally trained as an AH-1 Aircraft Fire Control Repairman, 68J10. I got sent to AH-64 school and picked up the X1 designator. There were a few things about the Apache that were better than the Cobra, but I still love the Cobra better. I also picked up the S9 designator, an OH-58(I) Fire Control Repairman. Not sure when they changed from 68 series.
I'm ex RAF and worked on fast jets rather than helicopters but it's interesting to see how other forces do the same kind of thing.
Another great video👍🏻👍🏻 having worked with air force maintainers, i have massive respect for all aircraft maintainers
"On no! The Apache is on fire!"
Step 1. DO NOT Eject upwards!
Isn't step 1: Eject big spinny thing?
Great timing! I just visited the Army Air Corps museum (and saw a lot of shiny new AH-64E)
Nice to see my old Division
ty ssg gladen for being willing to show up to the vid
loving that transformer noise
Oh YES. Fucking SWEET.
I like tanks, but I like aircraft even more
This is brilliant. I hope there will be more aircraft videos.
Havent' watched, the advert is running, just wanted to say I already consider this to be a massive treat! :)
My only question is how in the heck did you get a Warrant to take off his invisibility cloak?
The aviation world is filled with them I've been in 4 and some change and have seen atleast 12 CW5's with my own 2 eyes
You don't see Walking Warrants because they're too busy being Flying Warrants lol. But yeah man in my Medevac unit I'd say at least half the pilots were Warrants so as someone who spent my entire time in aviation I never really understood this whole mysticism about spotting WO's since my unit's safety officer was a W-5 who I saw everyday.
Just love the who the hell is this guy look from the crewman in the background !
Bismarck: "Hey, stay away from my turf!"
Thank you for sharing
🏆⭐🙏🇺🇲
The weapon that puts the fear in tankers.
This was a very good Video. For my Videos I had quite some sucess in using a backround noice filter in Audacity to get some noice out.
Was a Cobra Attack Helicopter mechanic in the 1st AD 1977-1980. Glad to see the maintenance guys getting some credit.
These are absolutely fascinating insights into the gears and cogs that keep everything running. :)
Such a tall tanker !
I'm impress that E3-E4 are trained to pilot which is normally reserved for Warrant and Commissioned Officers.
TY for the drone info
Learned a lot today
hmmmm, no track tension... Ah! but wait. there is bolt tension of the rotor blades/hub... ^~^ it counts. >~< Hazah all is good with Chieftain.
you are a gift to the miliary youtube sphere
You know, when i was in the 504th, i kept meaning to stop and wander through that open air museum you're standing at the start, but i never got around to it. I'm sad now.
A Tanker dealing with Whirly Birds.
What heresy is this?!?
(Don't worry, I love Apache's I am all here for it)
Chieftain covering the tank's natural predator.
I noticed that you're not in uniform, but the interviewees kept saying "sir". I'm guessing that they're just being courteous (being raised right and such), or even if you're not there on official Army business they're still supposed to acknowledge the rank?
AFAIK they act like everyone's a superior officer unless they're an enlisted. When I go to airshows, if I ask questions of the crews at the static displays, they "sir" me. Me, a useless civilian 😅
@@windwalker5765 when I go to airshows they don't call me Sir. But I'm also a pilot so maybe that has something to do with it?
Though there were some who were aware of my rank, they would likely still be calling me sir anyway. It's just a thing in the Army.
As a soldier, you address civilians as "Sir" or "Ma'am". They do, after all, outrank you!
Good choice of people to represent the service- respectful, well-spoken, and they have their stuff down cold. I'll just pretend I understand all the milspeak...
GREAT DETAILS!
Knowing nick's height, it is shown here that the Apache really is a large aircraft.
"That...flying...thing..."🤣
Ahem, isn't the helicopter the natural enemy of the tank?😉
Ooooh this is a treat!!!
I've seen the Apaches fly around joint Base Elmendorf Richardson.
This is outstanding.
Hey, 1st Cav! My old unit at Ft. Hood 1/7 HHC
Nice diversion. Missed a chance for some behind the scenes armored vehicle stuff while you were at Hood though.
Sir, I'm back there once or twice the next month. Can make a detour.... (The Watervliet thing didn't pan out, ran out of time)
Thank yiu. Interesting.
Close to 35yrs ago, but, happened often enough I recall hearing "RTB" & "Chip Light". Of course, I was USCG & RM at a RADSTA & the help was, already old H-52s on SAR - FWIW, HU-16s were, I was told, falling apart on landing. Hyperbole or true, maybe bit of both, IDK.
Point is about all this is, AH64 is getting close to the age, now, that those H52s were, then. Doesn't take more than one or two incidents per year for nervous making.
That's pretty darn cool.
Really cool!
68D here; we don't have to tension tracks, but we would have to "stretch blades" from time to time
Desert Storm vet here and made an observation that the only thing prettier than a flight of Apaches flying to the front is seeing them return empty knowing there is that much less stuff left in front of us. Of course we Air Defenders were pretty much along for the ride except the Vulcans.
i can now see Australia needing a bucket load more mechanics for its E's
Weird to me that the maintainers do the missiles and rockets! In the UK as groundcrew we just did the ordinance, moving the cabs around and fuelling (when the RAF aren't doing it). The AGMs are a two person job not too tricky just line them up, but don't take too long... (!) Definitely don't bang your hands against the thin strakes against something, sharp. It's been a while and didn't do it for long, but I really miss working with Apache.
First “Chieftain” question - how do you adjust the main rotor tension?😳🤔😳
Great video. I'm looking forward to the next one. I suppose you could say this is the new tank destroyer branch?
Chieftain, do you think that the attack helicopter has absorbed the role of the tank destroyer on the battlefield?
Also, how do you perform track-tension on the AH-64?
I believe it was indeed developed as such. The role may have changed a little bit, but when Apache was being developed for the Attack Helicopter Battalion for service in Germany, it seems right up the same alley
Hmm. Seems a Crew Chief does not mean what I thought it meant....
As a civilian crew chief working for a charter outfit I was responsible for all aircraft flying the next day out of our base!! Of several differant types!
Hello sir,
Thank you for all your hard work in making these videos!
If it helps; think of them as tank destroyers (Barnes’ dream realized). 😉
If I like this video?Absolutely,Sir!
Maybe run a hum suppression filter on the videos audio track before uploading?
Other than that, perfect. Very informative content.