Editing AgustaWestland Apache (section)

===Afghanistan===
The Apache's first operational tour was as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade in Afghanistan; there were eight Apache AH1s deployed in Afghanistan in February 2007.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Parliamentary questions to The Secretary of State for Defence (Des Browne) |journal= Hansard |date= 26 February 2007 |url= https://publications.parliament.uk/cgi-bin/newhtml_hl?DB=semsimple&STEMMER=en&WORDS=apach&ALL=&ANY=&PHRASE=&CATEGORIES=&SIMPLE=apache&SPEAKER=&COLOUR=Red&STYLE=s&ANCHOR=70226-0002.htm_spnew19&URL=/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070226/debtext/70226-0002.htm#70226-0002.htm_spnew19 |id= 122586 |access-date= 20 October 2021 |archive-date= 21 January 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210121192514/https://publications.parliament.uk/cgi-bin/newhtml_hl?DB=semsimple&STEMMER=en&WORDS=apach&ALL=&ANY=&PHRASE=&CATEGORIES=&SIMPLE=apache&SPEAKER=&COLOUR=Red&STYLE=s&ANCHOR=70226-0002.htm_spnew19&URL=%2Fpa%2Fcm200607%2Fcmhansrd%2Fcm070226%2Fdebtext%2F70226-0002.htm#70226-0002.htm_spnew19 |url-status= live}}</ref> These were drawn from [[No. 656 Squadron AAC|No. 656 Squadron]] and [[No. 664 Squadron AAC|No. 664 Squadron]] of [[9 Regiment Army Air Corps|9 Regiment AAC]], based at [[Dishforth Airfield]].<ref>{{cite news |last= Calvert |first= Denis J |title= Fact File: UK Air Power in Afghanistan |work= Aircraft Illustrated |page= 34 |publisher= Ian Allan |date= February 2007}}</ref> Unlike their American counterparts in Afghanistan, the Apache AH1 is deployed with its Longbow Fire Control Radar to enable the pilot to better manage traffic in their airspace.<ref name= 'did 2007'>{{cite web |url= http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/afghan-field-report-british-wah-64ds-04289/ |title= Afghan Field Report: British WAH-64Ds |publisher= Defense Industry Daily |date= 26 November 2007 |access-date= 27 November 2007 |archive-date= 28 November 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071128151211/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/afghan-field-report-british-wah-64ds-04289/ |url-status= live}}</ref> Initially pilots had to often fly for 16–18 hours at a time due to the low number of Apaches in the theatre;<ref>{{cite web |first= Dan |last= Cairns |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13876560 |title= Precise and deadly: A pilot's view of the Apache |work= BBC News |date= 24 June 2011 |access-date= 20 June 2018 |archive-date= 15 April 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180415090414/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13876560 |url-status= live}}</ref> typically each Apache would be stationed in Afghanistan for eight weeks before returning to Britain for roughly eight weeks of maintenance.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/KeepingTheApacheReadyToTakeOnTheTaliban.htm |title= Keeping the Apache ready to take on the Taliban |publisher= MOD |date= 12 January 2011 |access-date= 27 June 2011 |archive-date= 19 May 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110519210441/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/KeepingTheApacheReadyToTakeOnTheTaliban.htm |url-status= live}}</ref> On 22 May 2006, a UK Apache operating in Afghanistan's [[Helmand province]] used a [[Hellfire missile]] to destroy an abandoned French vehicle to protect sensitive equipment.<ref name= 'Walsh Guardian'>{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jul/10/military.politics |title= Apaches and Land Rovers versus a guy with a detonator |first= Declan |last= Walsh |work= The Guardian |date= 10 July 2006 |access-date= 16 December 2016 |archive-date= 5 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160305102409/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jul/10/military.politics |url-status= live}}</ref>

[[File:Apache Helicopter Firing Rockets MOD 45154922.jpg|thumb|right|Firing rockets at insurgents during a 2008 patrol in Afghanistan|alt=Colour photograph of an Apache Attack helicopter at right of image facing left, firing two rockets at a target beyond the bottom left of the frame.]]
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The Apache quickly became a highly valued tool against insurgents, able to rapidly respond to Taliban forces on the ground.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/1522105/Apache-earns-its-stripes-above-the-Afghan-battlefield.html |title= Apache earns its stripes above the Afghan battlefield |first= Thomas |last= Harding |work= The Daily Telegraph |date= 23 June 2006 |access-date= 2 April 2018 |archive-date= 7 July 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160707094027/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/1522105/Apache-earns-its-stripes-above-the-Afghan-battlefield.html |url-status= live}}</ref> Major Huw Williams, second in command of [[3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment]], stated that: "We're really impressed [with the Apache]. It's a very effective beast."<ref name= 'Walsh Guardian'/> It has been noted that Taliban forces refer to the aircraft as the "Mosquito".

On 13 January 2007, a 200-strong British force, led by [[Royal Marines]], launched an operation to attack [[Jugroom Fort]], a major Taliban base in southern Helmand Province.<ref name='rescue'>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/MarinesAttemptDaringApacheRescueDuringAfghanistanOperationvideo.htm |title=Marines attempt daring Apache rescue during Afghanistan Operation |publisher=Ministry of Defense |date=17 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205103826/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/MarinesAttemptDaringApacheRescueDuringAfghanistanOperationvideo.htm |archive-date=5 February 2007}}</ref><ref>Lewis 2009, pp. 1–3.</ref> After several hours of intense fighting, the Marines regrouped and it was discovered that [[Lance Corporal]] Mathew Ford of [[45 Commando|45 Commando Royal Marines]] was missing. A rescue mission was launched using four volunteers, Royal Marines and a Royal Engineer, strapped to the stub-wings of two Apaches.<ref name= 'rescue'/> The helicopters could not travel above 50&nbsp;mph to ensure the safety of the extra passengers from [[downwash|rotor downwash]]. The Apaches landed under fire inside the compound, after which the rescuers dismounted and recovered the body of LCpl Ford. Ford's body was flown out in the same manner that the soldiers arrived.<ref name= 'rescue'/> Another Apache hovered above, providing suppressive fire throughout.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6269613.stm |title= Troops made rescue bid for marine |work= BBC News |date= 17 January 2007 |access-date= 17 January 2007 |archive-date= 19 January 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070119204618/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6269613.stm |url-status= live}}</ref> None of the rescuers were injured in the recovery mission and they were later hailed for their bravery.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6386331.stm |title= Helicopter rescue marines hailed |work= BBC News |date= 22 January 2007 |access-date= 22 February 2007 |archive-date= 24 February 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070224105023/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6386331.stm |url-status= live}}</ref>

[[File:UK Army Air Corps AHDT WAH-64D Longbow Apache AH1 ZJ203 ILA Berlin 2016 01.jpg|thumb|left|Front view of Apache AH1 at Berlin Air Show 2016]]
In May and June 2008, British and [[Afghan National Army]] forces conducted [[Helmand province campaign#Operation Eagle's Eye|Operation Eagle's Eye]], aimed at disrupting Taliban activities to the south of [[Musa Qaleh]]; a key portion of which was a major night-time helicopter raid, rapidly deploying members of [[2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment]] into the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blogs.mod.uk/afghanistan/2008/06/british-troops.html |title=British troops and ANA in Apache-backed operation |publisher=MOD |date=4 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005061446/http://www.blogs.mod.uk/afghanistan/2008/06/british-troops.html |archive-date=5 October 2011}}</ref> In June 2008, a British Apache fired a [[thermobaric]] Hellfire missile; the controversial usage of such weapons was approved after extensive legal and ethical evaluations within the MoD.<ref>{{cite news |first= Michael |last= Smith |url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4187835.ece |title= Army 'vacuum' missile hits Taliban |work= The Times |date= 22 June 2008 |access-date= 28 May 2011 |archive-date= 11 October 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081011190557/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4187835.ece |url-status= dead}}</ref> In June 2008, a Taliban leader and several cell members were killed in Helmand Province by a Hellfire missile launched by an Apache of the 664 Army Air Corps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://frontierindia.net/uk-apache-fires-hellfire-missiles-to-kill-taliban-fighters |title=UK Apache fires Hellfire missiles to kill Taliban fighters |publisher=Frontier India |date=30 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014011008/http://frontierindia.net/uk-apache-fires-hellfire-missiles-to-kill-taliban-fighters |archive-date=14 October 2009}}</ref> There was a [[friendly fire]] incident in July 2008, in which an Apache fired upon a position thought to be held by enemy forces, but instead hit members of a British patrol; this was the first time that a British aircraft had been involved in a [[Friendly fire|blue-on-blue]] incident in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Coghlan |first1=Tom |last2=Baldwin |first2=Tom |date=11 July 2008 |title=Nine injured in Afghanistan as helicopter fires on own troops |work=The Times |location=London}}</ref> In September 2008, an Apache was seriously damaged by a crash shortly after takeoff in Helmand province; no loss of life occurred but the airframe was written off.<ref>{{cite web |first= Craig |last= Hoyle |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/09/05/315646/uk-apache-crashes-in-afghanistan-crew-safe.html |title= UK Apache crashes in Afghanistan, crew safe |work= Flight International |date= 5 September 2008 |access-date= 2 June 2011 |archive-date= 30 June 2012 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120630164813/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-apache-crashes-in-afghanistan-crew-safe-315646/ |url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=Hoyle20131128 />

In early to mid-2009, several [[narcotics]] and bomb-making facilities were raided by British forces, supported by Apaches.<ref name='boeing 2009'>{{cite web|url=http://www.boeing.com/Microsites/IDS/2009/apache/issue_01/international_s2_p2.html |title=British Apaches Prevent Disruptions of Afghan Elections |publisher=Boeing |date=20 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014033955/http://www.boeing.com/Microsites/IDS/2009/apache/issue_01/international_s2_p2.html |archive-date=14 October 2012}}</ref> During the summer of 2009, British Apaches were an integral component of [[Operation Panther's Claw]], which was aimed at pushing insurgents out of civilian areas in the runup to the [[Afghan presidential election, 2009|2009 Afghan Elections]].<ref name= 'boeing 2009'/> During this major offensive, Apaches from the UK routinely flew alongside US Cobra helicopters to provide air support to soldiers of the [[Black Watch|Royal Regiment of Scotland]] and the Royal Marines conducting ground operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2009/05/05/story13083456t0.shtm |title=The Black Watch in strike at Taliban |work=Evening Telegraph|date=5 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316001645/http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2009/05/05/story13083456t0.shtm |archive-date=16 March 2012}}</ref> During the Summer 2009 operations, a senior Taliban leader, Mullah Mansur, and several accomplices were killed in a precision strike launched by an Apache.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8079602.stm |title= UK forces 'kill Taliban leader' |work= BBC News |date= 2 June 2009 |access-date= 27 May 2011 |archive-date= 5 June 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090605164226/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8079602.stm |url-status= live}}</ref>

On 25 July 2011, the MoD announced that during a combat operation in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand province, several Afghan children had been injured from crossfire by an Apache; they were flown to Camp Bastion for medical treatment.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14277631 |title= Afghan children injured by UK Apache helicopter attack |work= BBC News |date= 25 July 2011 |access-date= 20 June 2018 |archive-date= 24 September 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200924043812/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14277631 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/25/nato-apache-helicopter-children-afghanistan |title= British Apache helicopter injures children in Afghanistan |work= The Guardian |date= 25 July 2011 |access-date= 16 December 2016 |archive-date= 27 September 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160927191858/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/25/nato-apache-helicopter-children-afghanistan |url-status= live}}</ref>

From 2006 to April 2014, British Apache helicopters flew 50,000 hours in Afghanistan, representing one-third of all UK Apache flying.<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/apache-flies-50000-hours-on-operations-in-afghanistan Apache flies 50,000 hours on operations in Afghanistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416191902/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/apache-flies-50000-hours-on-operations-in-afghanistan |date=16 April 2014}} – Gov.UK, 14 April 2014</ref> The UK ended combat operations in Afghanistan in October 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Kay |date=26 October 2014 |title=Britain ends combat role in Afghanistan, last U.S. Marines hand over base |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-troopwithdrawal-idUSKBN0IF06I20141026 |work=www.reuters.com |location= |access-date=2021-01-26 |archive-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205162031/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-troopwithdrawal-idUSKBN0IF06I20141026 |url-status=live}}</ref>