Army’s plan to transfer all Apache helicopters from National Guard stopped by lawmakers

Congress has put a halt to the U.S. Army’s plan to take control of the National Guard’s fleet of Apache helicopters.

Sen. Carl Levin, the retiring chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, the retiring chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, announced legislation that would curb the army’s initial request.

A compromise version of the Fiscal 2015 National Defense Authorization Act will permit up to four dozen AH-64 Apache attack helicopters to be transferred from the National Guard, Military.com reported Wednesday. The army’s original plan was to procure the entire fleet of 192 Apaches.

“We expect the Army and ARNG to immediately proceed with appropriate planning and preparation activities for the transfer of up to 48 AH-64 Apache aircraft prior to March 31, 2016,” a report accompanying the legislation said, Military.com reported. “Such preparations should include all necessary personnel and materiel-related actions required to facilitate such transfers.”