A formal turning over of the keys and logbook were part of a recent ceremony marking the delivery of the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s first AH-64E Version 6 Apache helicopter at Boeing’s Mesa facility.
“Until today, Boeing’s held the keys and logbook for this magnificent aircraft and now these items are in the possession of the Netherlands’ armed forces,” Katie Yursky, Boeing director of international Apache programs, said at an Oct. 25 ceremony.
There are more than 4,600 employees at the facility at 5000 E. McDowell Road in Mesa dedicated to development and production of helicopters selected by defense forces around the globe, she said.
Boeing Defense, Space & Security officials and employees were joined at the ceremony at a Boeing hangar by the Netherlands, U.S. Army and Arizona and city government officials to celebrate the delivery of the first AH-64E Version 6 Apache to the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
More than 100 people sat in chairs for speeches, a performance by Apache crown dancers of the White Mountain Apache tribe marking the delivery of the aircraft, and the presentation of the helicopter, with scores of Boeing employees standing in the back.
A time lapse video of production of the helicopter was shown on large screens. Music played, colored spotlights splayed throughout the building, then a drape was dropped and the first helicopter to be delivered was revealed.
Remanufacturing
Boeing was awarded a contract in 2019 to remanufacture 28 Royal Netherlands Air Force AH-64 D-model Apaches to the advanced AH-64E v6. Delivery for the final E-model Apache to the customer is targeted for 2025.
“It seems just like yesterday we were in the factory signing the fuselage that just entered production for the Netherlands’ first of 28 aircraft and that was a big day. But now we get to roll out the Apache E. We are pleased to have reached this milestone together with our Netherlands customers,” Kathleen Jolivette, Boeing vice president of attack helicopter programs, said at the ceremony.
Since 1998 the Netherlands has operated D-model Apache helicopters, Jolivette said.
“Most people know here today that this multimission Apache is lethal, maneuverable and maintainable. It’s capable of utilizing a spectrum of communication capabilities to enhance its effectiveness in combat and peacekeeping roles,” she said. “Now in the Netherlands, the AH-64E model Apache in the hands of trained and tested Royal Netherlands Air Force aviators is preparing to write new pages in chapters in history.”
It takes 40 to 45 days from start to finish to build an AH-64 helicopter or remanufacture an AH-64D to an advanced AH-64E version 6, Jessie Farrington, business development director of Boeing’s attack helicopter programs, said during a tour of the production line in Building 520.
Boeing’s AH-6 Little Bird attack/reconnaissance helicopter is also constructed at Building 520, he said.
Production of helicopters at the Boeing facility in Mesa never stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there have been supply chain hurdles to overcome, he said.
National defense, employment
Boeing’s Mesa facility has made it a priority to hire employees in the state, including starting a cable-harness wiring boot camp through Mesa Community College to train workers, Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, said at the ceremony.
Since 2019, the boot camp has graduated more than 350 students — 200 of which have been hired by Boeing, she said.
“We are proud of the work Boeing does each and every day to support not only our economy but the national defense of the U.S. and its allies,” Watson said.
Boeing is adjacent to Falcon Field Airport, which — like the former Williams Air Force Base now known as Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport — was constructed to train European and U.S. pilots in the early stages of World War II, Mesa Mayor John Giles said at the ceremony.
“And the reason for that is Mesa is one of the best places in the world to learn how to fly an airplane. So, since that time, we have (businesses in) space and aerospace and defense. So that makes it all the more exciting the events that we are here to celebrate today,” he said.
“For over 40 years, Boeing teammates in Mesa have worked together to design and build various versions of the Apache attack helicopter. Today’s delivery ceremony is evidence of what that hard work and dedication have accomplished. It’s great to see those efforts celebrated here today. I hope, Boeing, that you are very proud of what you have accomplished; I know that your community is proud of the work you do every day supporting the important missions of our nation’s allies,” Giles said.
Others who spoke at the ceremony included Lt. Gen. Robert Marion, principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the U.S. Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, and the director of the U.S. Army Acquisition Corps.; Vice Adm. Arie Jan de Waard, director of the Netherlands Defence Material Organisation; and Lt. Gen. Dennis Luyt, commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
Since 1984, more than 2,600 Apache helicopters have been delivered to the U.S. Army and 17 international customers. For information, go to boeing.com/defense/ah-64-apache.
The Apache helicopter is a program in Boeing Defense, Space & Security — one of Boeing Co.’s three business units. It includes development, production, maintenance and enhancement of fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft; commercial and government satellites; human spaceflight programs and weapons, according to boeing.com/company/about-bds.
Richard Dyer Managing Editor | East Valley @RHDyer
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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