{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-leads-bipartisan-resolution-honoring-50-years-of-the-ah-64-apache-and-the-soldiers-who-fly-and-maintain-it/", "Kelly Leads Bipartisan Resolution Honoring 50 Years of the AH-64 Apache and the Soldiers Who Fly and Maintain It", "2025-12-03", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "AZ", "Mark Kelly", "K000377", "www.kelly.senate.gov", "markkelly", "https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Katie Britt (R-AL) Tammy Duckworth (D-ILL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), John Hickenlooper, and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced a Senate Resolution recognizing the achievements and contributions of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter to the national defense of the United States and its allies. The resolution also honors the dedication, service, and sacrifice of the U.S. Army aviators, maintainers, and support personnel who operate and sustain the Apache.\n\n\u201cFor fifty years, the Apache has given our soldiers unmatched close air support and kept them safe on some of the toughest missions in the world,\u201d said Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot. \u201cArizona workers have played a major role in building and sustaining this aircraft, and I\u2019m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to honor both the Apache and the men and women who fly and maintain it.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a tremendous honor to recognize the AH-64 Apache and its five decades of service protecting and defending the United States. I\u2019m deeply proud of the pilots, engineers, and support personnel who have all played a role in ensuring this aircraft remains one of the most advanced attack helicopters in the world. Growing up outside the gates of Fort Rucker\u2014the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence\u2014I saw firsthand how service and sacrifice run right through the Wiregrass. I look forward to seeing how Alabama\u2019s capabilities continue to strengthen America\u2019s military might long into the future,\u201d said Britt.\n\n\u201cFor five decades, military crews have relied on the AH-64 Apache helicopter to complete missions in some of the toughest combat areas in the world. I\u2019m especially proud that the AH-64 is built in Mesa, where Arizona workers manufacture this cornerstone of American aviation. This resolution honors their enormous contribution to our national defense and recognizes the pilots, maintainers, engineers, and industry partners whose work has made the AH-64 one of the most reliable aircrafts in U.S. history,\u201d said Gallego.\n\n\u201cFor decades, the Apache has been one of the most important aircraft in our military, providing unmatched strength and support to our soldiers and allies,\u201d said Tillis. \u201cThis resolution honors the brave aviators and dedicated personnel who keep the Apache flying and play a vital role in our national defense.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe AH-64 Apache first flew on September 30, 1975, and over the last five decades has logged more than 5.2 million total flight hours, including 1.3 million combat hours. It has played a decisive role in major U.S. military operations such as Desert Storm, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve, and continues to support missions around the world.\n\nThe Apache has undergone continuous modernization from the AH-64A to today\u2019s AH-64E, strengthening its survivability, sensors, and precision strike capability. It is also operated by 18 allied and partner nations, enhancing coalition interoperability and global security. Arizona has served as the final assembly site for the Apache for decades, supporting thousands of jobs and a nationwide supplier network spanning 46 states.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-leads-bipartisan-resolution-honoring-50-years-of-the-ah-64-apache-and-the-soldiers-who-fly-and-maintain-it/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7842971719801426, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}