837th discharge upgrades warfighter aviation assets.

As the big AH-64D Longbow helicopters came out of the holds of the Green Wave, we could see the challenge close up.

The large aircraft filled most of the hole opening. The holes of the Green Wave seemed narrow indeed and made the operation especially challenging.

We planned accordingly--and were careful.

Result? The entire operation took place as planned--and without damage to the precious cargo. Our discharge of 24 AH-64D Longbow Apaches on Oct 8 at Pusan, Korea, greatly increases the aviation prowess of the 2nd Infantry Division. Most of the aircraft are going to 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment.

The aircraft were sent to the Boeing helicopter plan in Mesa, Ariz., and were modified from Alpha-model Apaches to Delta-model Apaches, also called Longbows.

Features added to the aircraft include new fire-control radar and a radio frequency interferometer, which assists in target identification.

Our transporters were enthusiastic about the discharge.

"This was a big deal and required an enormous amount of teamwork from everyone involved in the operation," said Maj. Sam Blanton, Executive Officer.

Planning was critical, said Ron Day, Chief, Operations Division.

"We were fully engaged in the Eighth U.S. Army planning process from the start. A series of conferences and a leaders' Rock Drill at Pier 8 ensured we were all on the same sheet of music," said Day.

The unloading was completed by a cooperative team of the International Stevedore Co. and an Army Aviation Depot Maintenance Round-out Unit team.

Actual planning for the operation took many months and included the Eighth U.S. Army and 19th Theater Support Command.

The mission was summed up by our commander, Lt. Col. Floyd Driver.

"The operation was well coordinated, flawlessly executed, and gave us an opportunity to train across our mission requirements," said Driver. "It was great."