Guests - Stephen Mundt, Tom Horne, Lori Moore

The Apache AH-64E: A Platform Built to Endure

The modernization of the US Army's helicopter fleet has taken an unexpected turn with the cancellation of the Future Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program. The AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, which was originally set to fade into the sunset, may now see an extended service life beyond 2030.

Retired US Army Brigadier General Stephen Mundt provides expert insight into the capabilities and future of this legendary aircraft. "Without a doubt, and I say this with no reservations at all, the army's AH-64E Echo that they are flying today is the best attack helicopter in the world," Mundt explains. "I don't care about the Russians. I don't care about the Chinese. I don't care about the Europeans. They all make products, but they are not the best in the world."

The Apache's history stretches back to the YH-64 program of the 1970s, but the platform has continuously evolved through various iterations. The current E model represents decades of improvements in technology, weapons systems, and survivability.

"We continue to modernize what we put on the helicopter, how we communicate, how we protect the helicopter through aircraft survivability equipment, how we change weapons systems out in the way that we can engage," Mundt notes. The Apache has also incorporated manned-unmanned teaming capabilities, allowing it to control drone aircraft from the cockpit.

This constant modernization has kept the Apache relevant despite its age. Mundt compares it to another military workhorse: "If you look at the C-130 Air Force airplane today flying, it is over 70 years old. But it continues to fly because the frame is good."

The Apache has benefited from significant frame improvements over the years, moving from metal to composites to machine-made frames with extremely tight tolerances. "The tolerances are tighter, the vibrations are less, and the frames last longer," Mundt explains.

Recent developments highlight the Apache's adaptability. US Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopters were spotted carrying Israeli-made Spike NLOS (non-line of sight) missiles at Erbil Air Base in Iraq in March 2025. This demonstrates the platform's ability to integrate new weapons systems based on mission requirements.

"The Apache can change out its weapons systems, what its armament is," Mundt explains. "Do I need more rockets? Do I need more guns? Do I need precision rockets? You get to choose how you're going to put the weapons and the systems on that platform to go out and do the mission."

Manned vs. Unmanned Aircraft: Finding the Right Balance

With the FARA program's cancellation largely attributed to budget constraints, the military is exploring the potential of unmanned systems as alternatives to traditional manned aircraft. However, Mundt cautions against an over-reliance on fully autonomous platforms.

"I understand the rationale in why FARA was canceled. It's a budget thing. It's what's affordable within the nation," Mundt acknowledges. "The problem I have is that everybody is saying unmanned systems can do this and they do a lot and they do it very well. But an unmanned system with all its sensors does not have that kind of situational awareness, training, curiosity."

Mundt describes the intuitive sensing that human pilots bring to missions: "If you go into your house and you walk into a bathroom and the shower curtain is closed and it doesn't seem right, you have this like the hair on the back of your neck kind of comes up. Well, that's the same sensation that human beings have that mechanical things do not have."

The Apache could potentially be operated as an unmanned platform. Its fly-by-wire flight control system, data links, processors, and sensors make remote operation technically feasible. However, Mundt sees the ideal solution as a combination of manned and unmanned systems working in tandem.

"The leadership in Army aviation today is looking at exactly how we might change formations," Mundt explains. "Instead of just having an Apache battalion, actually have an Apache and it might have one or two UAV platoons. So that you can team those together."

This approach maximizes the strengths of both systems: "I want the Apache with the man in it being protected with the titanium bathtub, everything else, all the sensors, all the ability to command and control things. The question is, if I'm going to attack a target, do I need another Apache or can I do it off of something else and have the same effect?"

The Changing Focus of US Military Strategy

The US military's strategic focus has shifted from Europe and the Middle East to address the potential threat posed by China, creating what Mundt calls a "tyranny of distance" challenge.

"As you pivot from a European-centric force... we can get to Europe. We can get to the Mid-East because we can come into Europe. We can deploy into the Mid-East. We can kind of do that. When you start talking China and go the other way, that's a tyranny of distance," Mundt explains.

This strategic shift influenced the Army's aircraft acquisition priorities. "When they were looking at does the Apache helicopter sunset or not at some point, do we do that because of its self-deployability that way? And the question was, when you look at FLRAA right now, Future Long Range Air Assault Vehicle versus the Future Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft, the first thing we took off was the Apache was the best."

The Army initially prioritized a long-range aircraft capable of covering greater distances at higher speeds to "defeat that tyranny of distance." However, budget constraints have forced difficult choices, leading to program cancellations.

Mundt also highlights the challenge of integrating capabilities across different military branches to reduce waste and duplication: "There's a thing called the Capabilities Group, it's CAPE, in the Pentagon, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. And its whole purpose is to look at the suitability, feasibility of systems and how they interrelate between the services so that we're not all buying our own stuff to do the same mission."

The Future of US Military Readiness

Under the Trump administration, there has been a renewed focus on military readiness and recruitment after several challenging years.

"In the last four years, because of many of the policies that were taking place, a lot of the folks in the nation, particularly down in the southeast and out in the west said, 'I just don't want to be part of that organization,'" Mundt observes. "With the change in the focus on war fighting and being the actual frontline for the United States, the recruiting goals in all services are up and we're doing so much better."

Mundt sees this as part of a broader strategy to reestablish America's military standing: "I think they are very systematically trying to reestablish us as the military power that we need to be in order for there to be peace in terms of peace through strength."

On international cooperation, Mundt addressed concerns about NATO partnerships: "He [President Trump] is not anti-NATO. That's not what he's saying. He's saying, if you're going to be a partner, you have to fulfill your obligations to be a partner."

Mundt cites Germany as an example, noting that they "went to France and asked if France would put them underneath their nuclear umbrella until they can rebuild their military... We need to understand how little they have spent on their own defense."

The general perspective reflects a desire for more equitable burden-sharing among allies: "I want you to invest in yourselves and we will be there with you, but we're not going to be there if you're not going to invest."

Controversial Drag Shows in Arizona Schools

The conversation shifts dramatically to current education issues in Arizona as Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne discusses his efforts to stop drag shows in public schools.

"I'm totally against drag shows in schools. If they want to do them in theaters for adults only, I have no objection. That's up to the adults, but not in schools," Horne states firmly.

Horne references a San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus song that appeared on TikTok with the refrain "we're coming after your children," calling school drag shows "an example of that."

Despite his opposition, Horn explains that he lacks the authority to ban these events: "If the legislature will give me the power to put a stop to it, I will definitely exercise that power. When I approached the legislature about it, they said it's too late in the session for a new bill, but we'll definitely go after it next year."

Horne outlines what would be needed: "They'd have to pass a bill saying that the schools cannot have drag shows in the schools. And the superintendent of schools has power to put a stop to it and then have to give me some punitive measure to enforce it with."

The conversation references a specific event at Tucson Magnet High School, which reportedly held its fourth annual drag show. A caller named Lori expresses concern that these performances have continued for years without legislative action.

"It should have been done four years ago," Horne acknowledges. "As soon as I was informed about this in Tucson, I went to the legislature. It was too late in the session, but we'll definitely put it in the beginning of next year's session."

Controversies in Arizona's Educational Savings Account (ESA) Program

Horne addresses recent criticisms of his management of Arizona's Educational Savings Account (ESA) program, which provides funds to parents for educational expenses. He explains that he has implemented restrictions requiring that expenses must serve "a valid educational purpose and a reasonable price according to the market."

"We were made the manager of the ESA program by the legislature and that involves a duty to keep it ethical, honest and sustainable," Horne explains.

To illustrate the need for oversight, Horne cites some outlandish spending requests: "Let me tell you some things they've asked for: a $5,000 Rolex watch that we did not pay, a $24,000 golf simulator."

He notes that while most children receive about $7,000 through the program, special education students can receive $30,000 to $60,000 to cover therapy and other necessary services. "For parents to spend $24,000 out of $30,000 on a golf simulator, which is probably for the parents... that money should be spent on therapy for the child."

Despite criticisms, Horne defends his approach: "Our director of ESAs goes to meetings with this... we're the first state in the country to do this. So he goes to meetings with others, people from other states that are following our example. And he says we have the most liberal rules by far with respect to what's allowed."

Horne emphasizes flexibility for special education needs: "In the case of disabilities, if a therapist says they need something unusually expensive, we'll fund it."

Educational Standards and Challenges in Arizona

Horne addresses broader educational challenges in Arizona, including reading proficiency, attendance issues, and fraudulent diplomas.

On reading standards, Horn explains: "There's legislation put called 'Move On When Reading.' The problem is... what was considered proficiency was not what we consider proficiency in our statewide test. It was a separate test and a separate standard for the Move On When Reading. And it was set very low."

He describes the consequences of promoting students who cannot read properly: "They get to high school... kids that had been in school for eight years, the biology teacher would go to [the reading teacher], you got to do something this girl can't read."

Attendance is another major concern: "We have 33% of our students have at least 18 absences a year. You can't teach kids that aren't there."

Perhaps most concerning is the disconnect between graduation rates and proficiency rates: "We have high schools with 85% graduation rate and 3% proficiency rate. So we're doing fraudulent diplomas."

This creates a cycle where students graduate unprepared for further education or careers: "They're kids that are going to be unwell for it because they don't have the skills to hold a regular job. Much less go to college."

Horne also addressed his early actions as superintendent, including shutting down "QueerChat," a platform established by his predecessor that allowed children to share personal information, including addresses and "detailed sexual information," with adult volunteers without parental knowledge or consent.

Improving Arizona's Public Schools

Despite the challenges, Horne emphasizes that his department is working to improve academic performance in Arizona's public schools.

"Ninety percent of my time and effort in that department go into helping our public schools do better academically," Horne states. "We have 15 initiatives to help schools improve their academics."

One success story involves the bottom 5% of schools based on test scores: "After we worked with them, 70% of those schools were no longer in the bottom 5%. So we've shown that we can make a difference."

Another example demonstrates the potential for improvement in disadvantaged communities: "We worked with a poor school where department personnel went there every week and their math scores went up 27%."

Horne is passionate about proving that economic background doesn't determine academic potential: "One of the things we're trying to do is persuade people that poor kids can learn just as well as rich kids if they're properly taught."

The Importance of Classroom Engagement and Teaching Methods

Former teacher Lori Moore, who called into the program, shares insights from her 30 years of teaching experience. She emphasizes the importance of high expectations and engaging instruction.

"If you raise the bar high, they will meet it. And they had fun meeting it. They were so excited when they got there," Moore recalls of her students. Her teaching philosophy, "get your A the Mrs. Moore way," focused on showing students how to improve and consistently guiding them toward success.

Moore argues that schools need to exercise their authority more effectively: "The schools really do have the leverage if they would use it, because some of these children are doing the things they're doing just for attention, lots of attention, negative attention."

She suggests that enforcing consequences, such as requiring parents to transport children to different schools after rule violations, could help change behavior: "If you could give them the tour of Tucson, is what I called it, if their parents had to drive them to another school and pick them up every day, I think things would start changing."

Moore also critiques the shift toward technology without adequate reading and writing foundations: "When laptops came in, small group instruction went out. And you shouldn't even be on a laptop if you can't read or write or spell."

A younger contributor named Ren offers perspective on note-taking strategies, suggesting that education could better serve students by allowing more access to notes during tests: "When I was using my notes and seeing that it was working, the dopamine rush I got from it was crazy... I always thought I had an issue."

Ren argues that this approach better reflects real-world conditions: "In the real world, I was told, 'You're not going to have your notes all the time.' And it's like, 'You don't know what I'm going to do. Of course I will.'"

Addressing Truancy and Creating Welcoming Schools

The article concludes with the announcement of an upcoming press conference between Superintendent Horn and Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan on truancy and chronic absenteeism.

Horn had earlier noted that 33% of Arizona students have at least 18 absences per year, making attendance a critical issue for educational improvement. The press conference will address this "growing problem of truancy" in Arizona's largest county.

The discussion highlights multiple reasons for attendance problems, including bullying. As Ren notes, "Some reason the kids don't want to go sometimes is they're being bullied... If they can't learn in the environment that they're in, they don't want to be stupid."

The solution requires creating schools where students feel welcome and capable: "When they figure out how to do it and they see that they're doing well, then it won't be a hassle to come to school."

Building student confidence emerges as a key theme: "The more self-confident a child can be and the more independent and the more that they can rely on themselves, the stronger and more successful they'll be at the other side."