2014 War Against the Islamic State

AH-64 Apache attack helicopter in the 2014 War Against the Islamic State

U.S. AH-64 Apache helicopters were used in Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, including a June 2016 strike near Qayyarah and 2017 Task Force Saber attack and reconnaissance missions supporting coalition partner forces.

Weapon profileAH-64 Apache attack helicopter
SideAnti-ISIS coalition and partner forcesRoleFire SupportReconnaissance & Surveillance
AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - 2014 War Against the Islamic State
Image source: US Army Latvia Hydra-70 article

Evidence Map

ClaimSources
U.S. Apache helicopters conducted a strike against an ISIL VBIED near Qayyarah, Iraq, on June 12, 2016.

Sources: CJTF-OIR Apache Counter-ISIL Fight

AH-64E Apaches were deployed with Task Force Saber at Camp Erbil to provide battlefield air support for partner forces.

Sources: CENTCOM Task Force Saber Air Mission

Task Force Saber used AH-64E Apaches as reconnaissance and fires platforms in support of partner forces in Iraq and Syria.

Sources: CENTCOM Task Force Saber Article

2-17th Cavalry continued the Task Force Saber attack and reconnaissance mission with AH-64E Apaches in late 2017.

Sources: DVIDS 2-17 Cav Takes Reins, DVIDS 2-17 Cav AH-64E Maintenance

Timeline

AH-64 Apache attack helicopter In 2014 War Against the Islamic State

  1. Apache strike near Qayyarah

    CJTF-OIR reported that a U.S. Apache strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle-borne improvised explosive device near Qayyarah, Iraq, in support of Iraqi security forces in the Tigris River Valley.

    Sources: CJTF-OIR Apache Counter-ISIL Fight

  2. AH-64E documented at Camp Erbil

    CENTCOM imagery showed Task Force Saber crews conducting pre-flight on an AH-64E Apache at Camp Erbil, Iraq, as U.S. Army aviation supported partner forces against ISIL.

    Sources: CENTCOM Task Force Saber Air Mission

  3. Task Force Saber article describes Apache fires

    CENTCOM described Task Force Saber AH-64E Apaches as reconnaissance and fires platforms supporting partner forces in Iraq and Syria during Operation Inherent Resolve.

    Sources: CENTCOM Task Force Saber Article

  4. 2-17th Cavalry takes Task Force Saber mission

    DVIDS reported that 2-17th Cavalry became CJTF-OIR's primary attack and reconnaissance squadron at Erbil and would employ AH-64E Apaches in its Task Force Saber role.

    Sources: DVIDS 2-17 Cav Takes Reins

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

U.S. Apache helicopters entered the Iraq fight against the Islamic State by June 2016. A Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve news release, citing Defense Secretary Ash Carter and a Defense Department spokesman, said an Apache strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle-borne improvised explosive device near Qayyarah, Iraq, on June 12, 2016 in support of Iraqi security forces operating in the Tigris River Valley.

Official U.S. imagery and reporting then documented AH-64E Apaches with Task Force Saber at Erbil, Iraq. A January 10, 2017 CENTCOM image caption identified Bravo Troop, 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment crews conducting pre-flight on an AH-64E Apache at Camp Erbil and said U.S. Army aviation was enabling partner forces to defeat ISIL by providing battlefield air support.

Sources: CJTF-OIR Apache Counter-ISIL Fight, CENTCOM Task Force Saber Air Mission

Task Force Saber operations

Task Force Saber brought the AH-64E into the Operation Inherent Resolve aviation package in 2017. CENTCOM's July 24, 2017 article on the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade's 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment described the unit as providing reconnaissance, surveillance, logistical support, and offensive strike capabilities while supporting partner forces in Iraq and Syria.

The same article identified the AH-64E Apache as one of Task Force Saber's fires platforms, paired with RQ-7Bv2 Shadow unmanned aircraft for target identification and handoff. It also stated that the 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment brought the first AH-64E helicopters to Operation Inherent Resolve and that its crews were used against enemy targets.

Sources: CENTCOM Task Force Saber Article

Continuity in late 2017

The Apache role continued after the 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment handed Task Force Saber to the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment on August 29, 2017. DVIDS reporting said 2-17th Cavalry became the primary attack and reconnaissance squadron for CJTF-OIR at Erbil and would provide attack helicopter and tactical unmanned aerial-system capability to coalition ground forces.

A linked September 2, 2017 DVIDS image at Qayyarah West Airfield identified C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment personnel maintaining an AH-64E Apache and said the unit would provide attack, reconnaissance, and surveillance capability for CJTF-OIR while commanding Task Force Saber.

Sources: DVIDS 2-17 Cav Takes Reins, DVIDS 2-17 Cav AH-64E Maintenance

Images

Conflict Context

AH-64E Apache helicopter from Task Force Saber taking off near Erbil, Iraq, in July 2017
A Task Force Saber AH-64E Apache at Erbil, Iraq, before a July 2017 mission for Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve.

Sources: DVIDS AH-64E Apache Erbil Image

Related Weapons by Role

AH-64E Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAH-64E Apache attack helicopterTwin-engine attack helicopterThe AH-64E Apache is Boeing's Echo-model Apache variant, developed from the AH-64D Block III remanufacture program and built around improved engines, sensors, networking, and a two-person attack-helicopter weapons station. Direct source-backed conflict records place AH-64E aircraft with U.S. Army units in Operation Inherent Resolve, the 2001 War in Afghanistan's Operation Freedom's Sentinel phase, and Operation Epic Fury during the 2020 United States-Iran Conflict.
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Sources