Grafenwöhr live-fire missile drill readies pilots for new Iraq tactics

Stars and Stripes ^ | 24 February, 2007 | Seth Robson,

[TADSLOS]

GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — Apache attack helicopters fired some 300 rockets and dozens of Hellfire missiles Friday as part of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade’s first “running” rocket and missile shoot in the training area.

Maj. Thom Crowson, 1st Armored Division’s Division Artillery (Divarty) operations officer, said 14 12th CAB Apaches participating in the exercise — from 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment — are training to deploy to Iraq later this year.

12th CAB operations officer Maj. Brian Hoff, said the Apaches practiced running fire — shooting rockets and missiles on the move at ground targets.

It is the first time running fire has been used on a range in Europe, according to 2-159 operations officer Maj. Scott Williams. The last time the unit fired rockets, in September, the helicopters fired while hovering, he said.

[Ken522]

Preparing for Iran?? Just a thought ....

[gas0linealley]

I was at Graf in the late sixties. Interesting place, lots of Nazi bunkers, and archeological specimens lying all about.

The gunfire from tanks had trimmed many trees so that whole forests were slanted up away from the tank trails.

Got an injury there that reminds me of the place, still.

[RunningWolf]

Thats what the Apache was built for, a massive Soviet armored frontal assault.

[patton]

Sound familiar?

[patton]

LOL. You should have seen what we did to it in the eighties.

Still, a great place to live.

[toddlintown]

A dirty, dusty, clay/mud, tent city. Used to have a ball there.

[TADSLOS]

Thats what the Apache was built for, a massive Soviet armored frontal assault.

True.

[Grizzled Bear]

I stayed in the deluxe accommodations in Camp Aachen during the late 90s. We referred to the open bay barracks as the "Cell Blocks."

[TADSLOS]

The official answer is that they are conducting annual gunnery quals in conjunction with pre-deployment prep, presumably Iraq.

[leda]

it sure does :)

[patton]

Do you know, Air Force types get hazerdous duty pay, when they stay there?

[Betteboop]

Graf and Hohenfels are Army training sites.....they do everything there..I don't think this is anything out of the ordinary!

[TADSLOS]

Graf and Hohenfels are Army training sites.....they do everything there..I don't think this is anything out of the ordinary!

Maybe. Maybe not. It's a news story in Stars and Stripes about units in training. Take it for what it is.

[GulfWar1Vet]

Yes, I remember that place. The mud got everywhere. It felt good to take a shower there, but then you got muddy all over again. LoL

[GulfWar1Vet]

Hohenfel=HoleinHell

LOL

[ColdSteelTalon]

Ahhh beloved GRAFENWÖHR been there once when I was in the Army more than 20 years ago. Brings back fond memories German Beer and pretty girls...

Sigh.

[RunningWolf]

Just like the A-10 was. We so often end up deploying the assets toward theaters/threats we did not foresee.

However it looks like the Bear is coming out of hibernation again, might as well get ready for him. Thats why its so important that Hussein Obama and Hilary nullify each other.

[Betteboop]

My son-in-law spent time there a few years back and it's still a mud hole....and another friend of mine was just there last spring....yup!!...still muddy!!!

[Grizzled Bear]

Nope. When I went we lost our BAS. That pissed off a lot of people!

Also; we didn't get a housing allowance while living in Army housing. That was another rumor.