In article . net,
on Thu, 26 Feb 2004 04:09:09 GMT,
Thomas Schoene lid attempted to say .....

Guy Alcala wrote:
The article noted a total
requirement of some 300 airframes to replace the older Kiowas and
the remaining Hueys in the ARNG, and I would not rule the 412 out
as a competitor.

From my reading of the transcript, it seems pretty clear that they're
getting rid of the Hueys entirely (did you see the slides?),
replacing them with UH-60s, and putting a new OH out for bid.

I read the transcript and slides pretty much the same way Kevin does:

1) 368 armed reconaissance helos (apparently manned).

2) 303 light utility helicopters to replace the Huey and OH-58 in the Guard
(apparently this is a Guard-only aircraft)

A significant problem now is that the Guard is using equipment, both
aircraft and radio's that are not standard with the active forces. So when
the Guard unit deploys they can't operate as effeciently as they might.

Our AA unit that deployed last year to Iraq and Afganistan had to un-
install and ship out radios (-106 radios, IIRC) after returning to CONUS.
Seems the radios are in short supply...



3) 80 more Blackhawks (on top of the 100 in the current POM), some for the
Guard, some to replace AC losses.







--
When dealing with propaganda terminology one sometimes always speaks in
variable absolutes. This is not to be mistaken for an unbiased slant.