Apache Nation Representatives Participate In Ceremony

On Wednesday, at the Boeing plant where they're manufactured, the first five examples of the Block III AH64D Longbow Apache combat helicopters were delivered to the US Army. The Arizona Republic reports the delivery, held in Mesa, included a ceremonial blessing on the machines bestowed by White Mountain Apache Tribal Chairman Ronnie Lupe.

The ritual reportedly included touching a helicopter with eagle feathers as smoldering sage produced wisps of white smoke that dissipated in the wind. Major General Anthony Crutchfield, commanding general of the Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, AL, who is of American Indian heritage, explained that the blessing "was to the creator for the warrior in hopes that the warrior would return."

Lupe himself is a Korean War veteran who offered a similar blessing to the original Apache "A" model in 1984.

The contract between Boeing and the Department of Defense calls for a total of 643 remanufactured Apaches in the new configuration, and 56 new ones, in a deal worth $247 million. To date, more than 1,700 Apaches have been delivered to US forces and their allies.

FMI: www.army.mil/factfiles/equipment/aircraft/apache.html