WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this week, North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis (R) and Richard Burr (R) wrote to National Guard Chief General Frank Grass expressing concern over the Army’s recent decision to eliminate the state’s Apache unit as part of its Aviation Restructuring Initiative.

The Senators articulated that the elimination of the 1-130th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) unit will leave North Carolina without a deployable aviation battalion headquarters and weaken the combat prowess of the Army National Guard. The Apache unit in North Carolina was selected as the first National Guard attack helicopter formation to deploy to Operation Enduring Freedom because of their readiness and consistent performance.

Tillis and Burr requested General Grass explain the criteria behind the decision to eliminate the Apache unit as well as the reasoning for accelerating the elimination. The Senators expressed their firm belief that the consistent performance and strategic location of the 1-130th Apache unit make it a unique and essential asset for national defense.