An Ilminster filmmaker has completed one of his most ambitious projects to date for a major upcoming documentary about the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
Louis Skupien recently spent a week embedded with the South Carolina Army National Guard at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, where he was granted rare behind-the-scenes access to capture every element of Apache operations.
The documentary, currently in post-production, takes viewers from cockpit tours and simulator sessions to live-fire training exercises and low-level flights.
Mr Skupien said: "It’s very difficult to put into words just how surreal this experience was.
"The Apache is one of those aircraft you grow up seeing in films, documentaries, and military footage.
"To suddenly find yourself standing underneath one while the rotors are spinning, hearing the engines spool up, watching live-fire exercises take place, and speaking directly with the crews who fly and maintain them every day – it’s incredible."
Mr Skupien interviewed Apache pilots and ground crews at McEntire, offering an in-depth look at the teamwork and technical expertise behind Army aviation.
One major highlight of the project was filming Apaches in action during a flight aboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.
Mr Skupien said: "The Chinook flight completely elevated the scale of the project.
"Watching the Apaches manoeuvre through the terrain from the ramp of a Chinook was something straight out of a movie.
"The noise, the vibration, the communication between crews, the sheer precision of how these aircraft move through the environment – it was unbelievable to witness firsthand."
The film is part of Mr Skupien’s Full Throttle documentary series, which offers immersive access to military and aviation operations around the globe.
He has built a reputation for gaining exclusive entry to high-security units and aircraft, including the F-22 Raptor Demo Team, Patriots Jet Team, Black Hawk helicopters, Challenger 2 tanks, and a range of US military aviation groups.
Mr Skupien’s documentaries aim to humanise military aviation for civilian audiences, blending cinematic visuals with personal stories and on-the-ground experiences.
He said: "What always stands out most isn’t just the machinery – it’s the people.
"The professionalism, trust, teamwork, and dedication shown by everybody at McEntire were incredibly impressive.
"From the pilots and maintainers to the crews supporting the operations, everyone made us feel welcome and helped make this project possible."
Mr Skupien expressed gratitude to the South Carolina Army National Guard and the teams at McEntire Joint National Guard Base for their support and cooperation throughout filming.
He said: "Projects like this simply don’t happen without an enormous amount of support and coordination behind the scenes."
He has now returned to the UK to begin editing what he described as "one of the most visually spectacular productions" he has ever filmed.
Mr Skupien said: "We captured some unbelievable footage.
"This is going to be much more than just an aviation video.
"I really want audiences to feel immersed in the experience – to feel the power of these aircraft, the atmosphere on base, and the intensity of the operations.
"I genuinely think this is going to become one of the biggest productions we’ve ever made."
The documentary is expected to be released later this year as part of Mr Skupien’s Full Throttle series on YouTube and other social media platforms.
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