Apache attack helicopters are like flying dinosaurs. They're ugly, misshapen, and deadly as hell. Here are 16 photos of this awesome airframe in action:
1. Armed Apaches conduct a reconnaissance flight to look for RPGs and mortars in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2007.
Photo: US Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Daniel McClinton
2. Troops preparing for deployment conduct an exercise with the helicopter at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany.
Photo: US Army Spc. Glenn M. Anderson
3. A U.S. Army Apache flies over the desert near Mosul, Iraq.
Photo: US Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Matson
4. A U.S. Army captain rides on the outside of an AH-64 during an extraction exercise. (This method is used to rescue downed aircrews.)
Photo: US Army Sgt. Stephen Proctor
5. The first AH-64E deployed to Hawaii is given a traditional Hawaiian blessing before the Rim of the Pacific exercise in 2014.
Photo: US Army Sgt. 1st Class Crista Mary Mack
6. An Apache flies from the HMS Ocean, an amphibious assault ship of the British Navy.
Photo: Crown Copyright/Guy Pool
7. A British Army Air Corps AH-64D helicopter fires on insurgents in Afghanistan in 2007.
Photo: Crown Copyright/Staff Sgt. Mike Harvey
8. An Apache attack helicopter takes off from Balad Air Base, Iraq for a mission.
Photo: US Air Force Master Sgt. John Nimmo, Sr.
9. British Royal Marines ride out of an insurgent-held compound on the helicopter after rescuing a wounded marine trapped there.
READ MORE: That time 4 Royal Marines strapped themselves to attack helicopters and rode into a Taliban compound >
10. An Apache flies escort as soldiers move on Fallujah, Iraq.
Photo: US Army 1st Lt. Kimberly Snow
10. A helicopter undergoes maintenance on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan as the sun sets.
Photo: US Army Spc. Edward A. Garibay
11. An Apache fires during an exercise with a Georgia National Guard infantry brigade.
Photo: US National Guard Capt. Michael Thompson
12. At the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, an AH-64D hovers over friendly troops.
Photo: US Army Spc. Randis Monroe
13. One of the attack helicopters prepares to depart a base in Afghanistan for a security and reconnaissance mission.
Photo: US Army Capt. Peter Smedberg
14. An aircrew engages targets during an exercise at Fort Irwin, California's National Training Center.
Photo: US Army Spc. Randis Monroe
15. An AH-64D flies in front of the sun at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany.
Photo: US Army Markus Rauchenberger
16. An Apache at rest will remain at rest until it's time to kill something.
