Overview
- Soldiers from the 2-159th Attack Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, engaged and destroyed drones during Operation Skyfall at Germany’s Grafenwoehr Training Area on March 19.
- The unit describes this as the first use of AH-64E Apaches to shoot down drones in Europe, employing the helicopter’s existing weapons in air-to-air engagements.
- The exercise supports NATO’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, with 12th CAB highlighting regular interoperability training with forces from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Poland.
- Maj. Daniel Murphy said most Apache pilots have not flown air-to-air profiles before, underscoring the need to develop and codify new tactics, techniques and procedures.
- The Army links the effort to allied adoption, noting planned Polish Apache deliveries starting in 2028 and presenting the training as guidance for European aviation units.