By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona political figures gathered under the canopy of two Apache helicopters on display Thursday at Boeing’s manufacturing complex in northeast Mesa, near Falcon Field Airport. The event commemorated the 50th anniversary of the attack helicopter’s first flight, which occurred on September 30, 1975.
It drew current and former Boeing employees in matching beige t-shirts emblazoned with the Apache hovering and key statistics on the back—an homage to what Boeing employees and leaders described as the “best damn attack helicopter in the world,” according to Cronkite News.
In a statement issued by the Arizona Senate Republican Caucus, Senate Majority Whip Frank Carroll marked the anniversary by praising the program and its workforce.
“It’s an honor to stand with the dedicated Arizonans and military personnel who have helped make the Apache a global symbol of excellence,” Carroll remarked. “For 50 years, this aircraft has protected American lives and advanced our national security, and I’m proud to support the men and women who ensure it remains the best in the world.”
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs addressed the gathering as well, saying: “The fact that there are so many elected officials here from both sides of the aisle demonstrates our commitment to the future of the Apache program here in Arizona.”
Among the public figures present were Congressmen Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) and Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), as well as Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman. Stanton told the gathered crowd, “The Apache didn’t just fly, it soared and it took Mesa with it. The city is a hub for aerospace and defense manufacturing, anchored by great companies like Boeing,” per Chamber Business News.
Boeing Attack Helicopter Programs Vice President and Mesa Site Executive Christina Upah reported that nearly 3,000 Apache aircraft have been produced in Mesa, with more than 1,300 in operation around the world. Over the past five years, Hobbs noted, more than 60 expansions in Arizona’s aerospace and defense sector have generated more than $2.8 billion in investment and more than 12,000 jobs.
US Army Lt. Col. John Holcomb, commander at the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Vertical Lift Mesa, who manages production of the Apache alongside the AH-6i Light Attack and Reconnaissance Helicopter, and the MD-530 Cayuse Warrior helicopter, said: “Looking around this facility, I’m reminded that while the name on the buildings may have changed, the mission has remained constant. To deliver the best damn attack helicopter in the world.”
While the event was celebratory, it came against a backdrop of broader pressures facing Arizona’s aerospace and manufacturing sectors—and renewed bipartisan interest in preserving the state’s five-decade role in Apache production. The helicopter’s global impact also loomed large, with its widespread adoption by the U.S. Army and by 16 allied nations, including the U.K., Israel, Japan, and South Korea, per KJZZ.
During the event, Stanton even threw a proverbial nod to Biggs, quipping: “We don’t always agree, Andy, but on this one, we’re together,” citing the Congressmen’s past cooperation on legislation to support Apache production.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
