Apache Helicopters patrolling?

[Night201]

I saw an Apache helicopter 2 days ago flying over my house in NJ. I'm about 20 minutes outside of NYC. Probably due to the hightened security level:

The more interesting point: My roommate said he saw 3 flying together about 1-2 weeks ago. Assume away, but that shows how far in advance the government was probably aware of all these reports/threats.

They sound really cool. They definitely sound different than normal helicopters. It's hard to explain, but the sound is more metallic sounding.

 

I live a stones throw away from the Sikorsky plant in Stratford Connecticut, I see helicopters flying overhead every day.

 

[iamwiz82]

there have been a number of them in the Detroit area as well. We had a discussion about them on local message board.

 

[Doggiedog]

I thought something was going on a couple weeks ago when I saw regular police officers in the Port Authority with M-16s.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: Roger
I live a stones throw away from the Sikorsky plant in Stratford Connecticut, I see helicopters flying overhead every day.

Mmmmm, Black Hawk helicopters. When I turn 18, I plan to go to the Sikorsky plant where they are built by me. My father's business does a lot of work for them (they go there once every two-three weeks).

 

[beer]

Really, what the fvck good is an Apache helicopter going to do against any terrorist threat? It's just a huge waste of taxpayer money in a feel-good but completely useless role. Any airplane is faster than an apache by at least double; any ground terrorist event will be long over before an apache can make it over there.

And even if they DID by some reason find a terrorist, what are they going to do, fire hellfire missiles or antitank rounds into the middle of a busy city?

at the BUsh administration

 

[GoodToGo]

Originally posted by: Elemental007
Really, what the fvck good is an Apache helicopter going to do against any terrorist threat? It's just a huge waste of taxpayer money in a feel-good but completely useless role. Any airplane is faster than an apache by at least double; any ground terrorist event will be long over before an apache can make it over there.

And even if they DID by some reason find a terrorist, what are they going to do, fire hellfire missiles or antitank rounds into the middle of a busy city?

at the BUsh administration

Exactly, paranoia(sp?) at its best.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: GoodToGo

Originally posted by: Elemental007
Really, what the fvck good is an Apache helicopter going to do against any terrorist threat? It's just a huge waste of taxpayer money in a feel-good but completely useless role. Any airplane is faster than an apache by at least double; any ground terrorist event will be long over before an apache can make it over there.

And even if they DID by some reason find a terrorist, what are they going to do, fire hellfire missiles or antitank rounds into the middle of a busy city?

at the BUsh administration

Exactly, paranoia(sp?) at its best.

But alas, I can't complain. I might be doing defense contracting at some point in the future. I guess I'll take personal wealth at the expense of our country's bankruptcy one day in the future than nothing and still national bankruptcy in the future.

 

[kage69]

Perhaps they're worried about vehicles transporting terrorists and/or dangerous materials. A gunship would be a great way to take out a speeding UHaul truck or something, the same method works great for the Isrealis I hear. If it's already in the air, the response time would be better if suddenly the FBI or CIA call in and need something taken out in short order. Also, keep in mind Apaches have thermal sensors and night vision - also being networked with the military might be more prudent than using domestic law enforcement as a middle man to get the bad guys.

Or it could be coincidence...

 

[notfred]

The apache is a ground attack aircraft. The only use it would be in combat is to blow up stuff on the ground. They're probably just training or moving the helicopters to another base or something.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: kage69
Perhaps they're worried about vehicles transporting terrorists and/or dangerous materials. A gunship would be a great way to take out a speeding UHaul truck or something, the same method works great for the Isrealis I hear. If it's already in the air, the response time would be better if suddenly the FBI or CIA call in and need something taken out in short order. Also, keep in mind Apaches have thermal sensors and night vision - also being networked with the military might be more prudent than using domestic law enforcement as a middle man to get the bad guys.

Or it could be coincidence...

The constitution prohibits miltary from doing something like that.

 

[rutchtkim]

Originally posted by: Night201
I saw an Apache helicopter 2 days ago flying over my house in NJ. I'm about 20 minutes outside of NYC. Probably due to the hightened security level:

The more interesting point: My roommate said he saw 3 flying together about 1-2 weeks ago. Assume away, but that shows how far in advance the government was probably aware of all these reports/threats.

They sound really cool. They definitely sound different than normal helicopters. It's hard to explain, but the sound is more metallic sounding.

Cool, where in Jersey? I live in Paramus

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: kage69
Perhaps they're worried about vehicles transporting terrorists and/or dangerous materials. A gunship would be a great way to take out a speeding UHaul truck or something, the same method works great for the Isrealis I hear. If it's already in the air, the response time would be better if suddenly the FBI or CIA call in and need something taken out in short order. Also, keep in mind Apaches have thermal sensors and night vision - also being networked with the military might be more prudent than using domestic law enforcement as a middle man to get the bad guys.

Or it could be coincidence...

The constitution prohibits miltary from doing something like that.

Yep, but it doesn't prevent the National Guard from doing it. Posse Comitatus bans the federal government from using the military for civilian law enforcement, it doesn't place the same restriction on state governments. Lots of National Guard units do have the Apache and would/could use it in ways that the feds couldn't. Any helicopters currently patrolling over major cities are going to be there as a fast response option for any attempts by terrorists to take over power stations, nuke plants, water purification plants, airports or any other critical parts of the infrastructure.

 

[PaperclipGod]

Originally posted by: Elemental007
Really, what the fvck good is an Apache helicopter going to do against any terrorist threat? It's just a huge waste of taxpayer money in a feel-good but completely useless role. Any airplane is faster than an apache by at least double; any ground terrorist event will be long over before an apache can make it over there.

And even if they DID by some reason find a terrorist, what are they going to do, fire hellfire missiles or antitank rounds into the middle of a busy city?

at the BUsh administration

wow, talk about paranoia.

you do realize that apache's dont only launch on the command of president bush, and that they DO in fact fly around as part of training exercises?

ignorant much?

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: notfred
The apache is a ground attack aircraft. The only use it would be in combat is to blow up stuff on the ground. They're probably just training or moving the helicopters to another base or something.

The Apache can carry Stingers IIRC.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: Elemental007
Really, what the fvck good is an Apache helicopter going to do against any terrorist threat? It's just a huge waste of taxpayer money in a feel-good but completely useless role. Any airplane is faster than an apache by at least double; any ground terrorist event will be long over before an apache can make it over there.

And even if they DID by some reason find a terrorist, what are they going to do, fire hellfire missiles or antitank rounds into the middle of a busy city?

at the BUsh administration

wow, talk about paranoia.

you do realize that apache's dont only launch on the command of president bush, and that they DO in fact fly around as part of training exercises?

ignorant much?

Everyone in this thread asssumed that it was do to a heightened security level. Seeing as the OP is mentioning it now (about a flight observed two days ago) and today is, two days after the security level was raised, it doesn't take too many neurons to connect the two. Furthermore, this flight was observed over new jersey, within vicinity of NY and Washington, likely of any usual terrorist attack.

If this had been two weeks ago, I wouldn't have said anything of it. If it had been in rural Kansas, I would have said nothing of it. But come on, they decided to start training over dense urban areas the same day as the terror level was raised?

You deserve a big

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: notfred
The apache is a ground attack aircraft. The only use it would be in combat is to blow up stuff on the ground. They're probably just training or moving the helicopters to another base or something.

The Apache can carry Stingers IIRC.

You recalled wrong.
They carry sidewinders. Stingers are shoulder-fired, portable, short-rage SAMs, and have never been deployed on any combat aircraft.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/ah-64.htm

 

[compudog]

I've seen A-10s flying over more than usual for this time of year.

 

[PoPPeR]

i see planes and helicopters flying in the sky sometimes. they're cool

 

[AmericasTeam]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
i see planes and helicopters flying in the sky sometimes. they're cool

Yes they are. Its neat how something so heavy can actually fly.

 

[Murphyrulez]

I have heard that heavy iron tubs can somehow float in water. I want to someday make a journey to an ocean and maybe see it in person.

 

[PaperclipGod]

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: Elemental007
Really, what the fvck good is an Apache helicopter going to do against any terrorist threat? It's just a huge waste of taxpayer money in a feel-good but completely useless role. Any airplane is faster than an apache by at least double; any ground terrorist event will be long over before an apache can make it over there.

And even if they DID by some reason find a terrorist, what are they going to do, fire hellfire missiles or antitank rounds into the middle of a busy city?

at the BUsh administration

wow, talk about paranoia.

you do realize that apache's dont only launch on the command of president bush, and that they DO in fact fly around as part of training exercises?

ignorant much?

Everyone in this thread asssumed that it was do to a heightened security level. Seeing as the OP is mentioning it now (about a flight observed two days ago) and today is, two days after the security level was raised, it doesn't take too many neurons to connect the two. Furthermore, this flight was observed over new jersey, within vicinity of NY and Washington, likely of any usual terrorist attack.

If this had been two weeks ago, I wouldn't have said anything of it. If it had been in rural Kansas, I would have said nothing of it. But come on, they decided to start training over dense urban areas the same day as the terror level was raised?

You deserve a big

Oh, my bad, you're right. I must have missed the CNN bulletin where George Bush ordered Apache's to fly around DC looking for terrorists.

 

[Walleye]

i saw one copter lit up flying just ahead of a black copter that was completely blacked out. definitely 2 copters, 1 trying hard to be seen, the 2nd trying hard to not be seen.

this was while i was at whittsett.

i have no idea why.

 

[Night201]

Originally posted by: rutchtkim

Originally posted by: Night201 I saw an Apache helicopter 2 days ago flying over my house in NJ. I'm about 20 minutes outside of NYC. Probably due to the hightened security level: The more interesting point: My roommate said he saw 3 flying together about 1-2 weeks ago. Assume away, but that shows how far in advance the government was probably aware of all these reports/threats. They sound really cool. They definitely sound different than normal helicopters. It's hard to explain, but the sound is more metallic sounding.

Cool, where in Jersey? I live in Paramus

Hillsdale area...right by you.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: notfred
The apache is a ground attack aircraft. The only use it would be in combat is to blow up stuff on the ground. They're probably just training or moving the helicopters to another base or something.

The Apache can carry Stingers IIRC.

You recalled wrong.
They carry sidewinders. Stingers are shoulder-fired, portable, short-rage SAMs, and have never been deployed on any combat aircraft.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/ah-64.htm

I looked into this a little more:


Air-to Air Stinger ATAS


Integrated on AH-64D Apache Longbow