https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/with-the-demise-of-the-oh-58d-what-will-become-of-the-1-17th-air-cav <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I joined the 1/17th Cav while we still had Blue's Platoons, AH-1 ECAS Cobra and OH-58 helicopters. With all of the MTOE changes in the unit over the years, this one concerns me the most. What will be the new tools of the trade for my beloved Airborne-Air Cav now that the OH-58D is being retired with no new recon/attack helicopter in the development pipeline? Wed, 27 May 2015 20:40:22 -0400 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/with-the-demise-of-the-oh-58d-what-will-become-of-the-1-17th-air-cav <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I joined the 1/17th Cav while we still had Blue's Platoons, AH-1 ECAS Cobra and OH-58 helicopters. With all of the MTOE changes in the unit over the years, this one concerns me the most. What will be the new tools of the trade for my beloved Airborne-Air Cav now that the OH-58D is being retired with no new recon/attack helicopter in the development pipeline? SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee Wed, 27 May 2015 20:40:22 -0400 2015-05-27T20:40:22-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/with-the-demise-of-the-oh-58d-what-will-become-of-the-1-17th-air-cav?n=700858&urlhash=700858 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The Cav squadrons will be Apaches partnered with Shadows. The first unit to switch was 1-501 reflagged to 3/6 Cav. Each brigade will have an Attack Recconnaissance battalion (64s and Grey Eagles) and Heavy Recconnaissance squadrons (64s and Shadows). I'm excited by the change, my first unit was 3/6 when we stood it up as a longbow squadron at Hood and took it back to Korea. SFC Private RallyPoint Member Wed, 27 May 2015 20:43:49 -0400 2015-05-27T20:43:49-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/with-the-demise-of-the-oh-58d-what-will-become-of-the-1-17th-air-cav?n=751920&urlhash=751920 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Not sure what's gonna happen to the 1/17th CAV per se, but as an old OH-58 driver in 1/18th CAV I have an opinion: The Army should buy the AH-6/Boeing 530MG Defender or whatever the most current series is. That helicopter, going back to the OH-6 Cayuse, was built for the Scout Weapons Team and the Air Cav mission. TF 160th (SOAR) has proven the "Little Bird" is an outstanding aircraft that is so versatile and highly capable. Ask any pilot who has flown it! It is perfect, but since the stooges in that five-sided puzzle palace NEVER LISTEN to PILOTS, we'll be stuck with some POS that is totally unsuited to the mission. Or they'll spend billions...wait did I say "spend"? I meant WASTE! ...on programs like the RAH-66 Commanche and some would argue the UH-72 Lokota. The later being an off-the-shelf civilian model with OD green paint job. But I digress. LTC Erik Spike Thiesmeyer, Sr. Tue, 16 Jun 2015 21:58:00 -0400 2015-06-16T21:58:00-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/with-the-demise-of-the-oh-58d-what-will-become-of-the-1-17th-air-cav?n=960911&urlhash=960911 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Joined 1/17th cab in 2004 and was deployed to Tal afar, Iraq in 2006-2007. E troop. SGT Del Lavature Sat, 12 Sep 2015 10:03:14 -0400 2015-09-12T10:03:14-04:00 2015-05-27T20:40:22-04:00