OK I saw this one and just had to reply.
First of all I would like to say that I am currently stationed in Iraq ( not much longer )
The next bunch of Apache's that are in Kuwait waiting to enter theatre, a National Guard Unit, took it upon themselves to have thier Helicopters painted the light gray, like was mentioned above. However there are some ups and downs to this paint job.
The ups; it is harder to see the aircraft during the day with this paint scheme, especially at the altitudes that the Navy and Marines are flying at, normally above 300 ft. The paint also is "cooler" so the infra red missiles have a harder time trying to track it "optically". IR Missiles, depending on thier model, have the ability to track heat, and visually using a camera. The camera has a harder time detecting the aircraft against the sky.
Now the downs;
I can tell you for a fact that the Army helicopters are not currently flying at 300 ft plus, they are at 100 ft and below, UH-60's are flying at 50ft here at around 145 knots. So at that angle the gray actually doesnt help. Also at night the gray sticks out like a sore thumb, so people on the ground are able to see it a lot easier. Especially flying at night, during the day thats a different story.
The new proposed paint job is also just a test, and no word on any permenant change in paint jobs.
Also, RPG's are not guided in anyway, thank goodness, had one shot at me 2 days ago.
However, I just have to add this one in, the biggest danger is NOT The enemy and thier missiles and RPG's, its US. Flying at fast speeds, at low altitudes, and the weather, and lack of power management in the summer months. So far, the ONLY aircraft that was lost due to enemy contact was the other day, and even then the aircraft was still salvaged. We have been our own worst enemys over here.
sorry, I tend to babble. Hope this clears up some of the questions.
Josh