An attempt to disable state defense

arizonaopa · April 30, 2014, 08:55 AM

I was glancing through the local newspaper here in Arizona when an article about the military caught my eye. The Army is trying to remove all 192 Apache Attack helicopters from the AZ National Guard. The reason given by the Army is that the National Guard is not capable of operating these aircraft and performing the missions that would be assigned.
It is interesting that the Army would say this since the AZNG flew these birds in combat situations in Afghanistan without any mission failures. While the AZNG was in Afghanistan they received a number of kudos from top Army brass for their outstanding abilities with the aircraft.
I think that we are seeing a grab by the perfumed princes of the military in order to eliminate a threat to their power if the SHTF. The governor of AZ is conservative who has clashed with Obama on a number of issues. We have constitutional carry in this state. We have a sheriff who is not afraid to step forward and call out the current government for their anti-constitutional stands. We are people not afraid to step forward and defend our rights.
If the SHTF, there is no doubt that the AZNG would be called out by the governor to protect the people of AZ against illegal federal actions. This attempt by the Army to grab the helicopters would prevent the AZNG from providing needed air support to the NG in a move to resist illegal federal actions.
Watch and see if this is attempted with other NGs in the U.S. If it does, contact your congressional representatives and raise hell until they force the military to back down.

JimDandy · April 30, 2014, 08:57 AM

Just as there's equally no doubt that the AZNG can be federalized, and shipped off to Alaska long before SHTF. The right hand not knowing what the left is doing is far more likely and reasonable than an overarching conspiracy.

Edit to Add: Assuming the military will unilaterally support either "the people" or "the illegal feds" in these SHTF civil war conflicts is also not well thought out. If this sort of civil conflict came to pass, the military is just as likely to fracture with the rest of the country leaving some in support and some in opposition to both sides.

Doyle · April 30, 2014, 09:06 AM

Let me offer you a different take. Maybe the brass is really saying that "the AZNG isn't capable of maintaining and using these assets GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING WE ARE WILLING TO PROVIDE".

Yes, the AZNG did a great job during the sandbox but keeping these planes operational is a high-dollar expense. With all brances of the service and most state national guard units being downsized these days, they cannot keep up with the expense of some of these weapons systems. Therefore, they have to pick and choose which units will keep them.

That's my take.

BarryLee · April 30, 2014, 09:40 AM

When politicians say they are reducing military spending this is what happens. If you oppose this all you can do is support like minded candidates and hope that others do the same.

Uncle Buck · April 30, 2014, 10:03 AM

Look at how much money those helicopters bring to the state. I think it is a combination of politics and budget realizations.

Brian Pfleuger · April 30, 2014, 10:16 AM

While interesting, I don't see any Law and Civil Rights or firearms connection here.

April 30, 2014, 08:55 AM	#1
arizonaopa Member Join Date: October 21, 2013 Posts: 44	An attempt to disable state defense I was glancing through the local newspaper here in Arizona when an article about the military caught my eye. The Army is trying to remove all 192 Apache Attack helicopters from the AZ National Guard. The reason given by the Army is that the National Guard is not capable of operating these aircraft and performing the missions that would be assigned. It is interesting that the Army would say this since the AZNG flew these birds in combat situations in Afghanistan without any mission failures. While the AZNG was in Afghanistan they received a number of kudos from top Army brass for their outstanding abilities with the aircraft. I think that we are seeing a grab by the perfumed princes of the military in order to eliminate a threat to their power if the SHTF. The governor of AZ is conservative who has clashed with Obama on a number of issues. We have constitutional carry in this state. We have a sheriff who is not afraid to step forward and call out the current government for their anti-constitutional stands. We are people not afraid to step forward and defend our rights. If the SHTF, there is no doubt that the AZNG would be called out by the governor to protect the people of AZ against illegal federal actions. This attempt by the Army to grab the helicopters would prevent the AZNG from providing needed air support to the NG in a move to resist illegal federal actions. Watch and see if this is attempted with other NGs in the U.S. If it does, contact your congressional representatives and raise hell until they force the military to back down.

April 30, 2014, 09:40 AM	#4
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	When politicians say they are reducing military spending this is what happens. If you oppose this all you can do is support like minded candidates and hope that others do the same. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

April 30, 2014, 10:03 AM	#5
Uncle Buck Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 2,592	Look at how much money those helicopters bring to the state. I think it is a combination of politics and budget realizations. __________________ Inside Every Bright Idea Is The 50% Probability Of A Disaster Waiting To Happen.

April 30, 2014, 10:16 AM	#6
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	While interesting, I don't see any Law and Civil Rights or firearms connection here. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

April 30, 2014, 08:57 AM	#2
JimDandy Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 2,556	Just as there's equally no doubt that the AZNG can be federalized, and shipped off to Alaska long before SHTF. The right hand not knowing what the left is doing is far more likely and reasonable than an overarching conspiracy. Edit to Add: Assuming the military will unilaterally support either "the people" or "the illegal feds" in these SHTF civil war conflicts is also not well thought out. If this sort of civil conflict came to pass, the military is just as likely to fracture with the rest of the country leaving some in support and some in opposition to both sides.

April 30, 2014, 09:06 AM	#3
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Let me offer you a different take. Maybe the brass is really saying that "the AZNG isn't capable of maintaining and using these assets GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING WE ARE WILLING TO PROVIDE". Yes, the AZNG did a great job during the sandbox but keeping these planes operational is a high-dollar expense. With all brances of the service and most state national guard units being downsized these days, they cannot keep up with the expense of some of these weapons systems. Therefore, they have to pick and choose which units will keep them. That's my take.