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CH-47 Chinook helicopter detachment
CH-47 Chinook helicopter detachment deployment, Kandahar Air Base, 2006 - April 2007; and February 2008 - .
Introduction
In March 2006 the CH-47 Chinook helicopter detachment was deployed to Afghanistan, to be based at Kandahar Air Field, as Task Group 633.7. Initially, the detachment operated primarily in support of the Special Forces Task Group. After the SOTG's (Special Operations Task Group) withdrawal in September 2006, the detachment's primary role shifted to support of coalition forces, "priority given to Australian activities". The detachment consists of two CH-47D helicopters, and 110 personnel from the 5th Aviation Regiment. The Chinook deployment received $57.6 million over two years (including $43.0 million in 2005-06) in the 2006-7 budget. The two Chinooks were withdrawn in early 2007 for refurbishing, and the helicopters and crew returned to Australia in April 2007. In February 2008 the aircraft and crew re-deployed to Kandahar.
Chinook over southern Afghanistan. Source: Department of Defence, Australia
Government sources
Deployment
CH-47 Detachment Departs for Afghanistan, Mike Kelly, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Media Release, PARLSEC1/08, 8 February 2008.
"Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM, MP, will this afternoon farewell soldiers from Townsville's 5th Aviation Regiment as they set off to join the coalition effort in Southern Afghanistan. The main detachment of soldiers consisting of aviators, loadmasters and technicians from C Squadron, will join the advance party and two Australian CH-47 (Chinook) aircraft in the southern Afghanistan province of Kandahar. This is the second time the CH-47s have been used by Australian forces during Operation Slipper, with the aircraft undergoing upgrades and deep maintenance since the last rotation ended in April 2007."
Return of Ch-47 Detachment, Media Release, Peter Lindsay MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Australia, 8 Apr 2007
"110 Australian Army personnel from the 5th Aviation Regiment returned home to Townsville following their deployment to Afghanistan."
About Operation Slipper, Department of Defence, Australia
"On 10 January 2006, then Defence Minister Robert Hill announced that two CH-47D Chinook helicopters and 110 personnel would deploy to Afghanistan in March 2006. This detachment, based at Kandahar Air Field, provides aero-medical evacuation, air mobility and logistic support to coalition partners with priority given to Australian activities. This deployment has been extended to April 2007."
ADF Operations Update Media Brief, Transcript, Brig Gus Gilmore, 23 November 2006.
"Since the Special Forces Task Group returned to Australia in September, the Chinook helicopters have continued supporting the International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, in southern Afghanistan. Their support to ISAF consists mainly of troop movement, supply missions, humanitarian assistance and occasionally, but most importantly, casualty evacuation. These sorties often involve flying into extremely hazardous situations to evacuate wounded ISAF and Afghan National Army personnel who require life-saving emergency treatment."
Chinook helicopter detachment commanders
- Lt Col Kevin Humphreys
- Lt-Col Mick Prictor
Chinook helicopter detachment base
Bases - Kandahar Air Field, Australia in Afghanistan
Operations
High achievers, Capt Lachlan Simond, Army News, 19 April 2007
Australian Chinooks during Operation Slipper, Op Slipper Images, Department of Defence, Australia, 5 April 2007
"Task Group 633.7 operated two CH-47D Chinook helicopters, which were utilised in support of combat and logistical operations. The Chinooks are part of a coalition air support group, originally designated Task Force Knighthawk and later Task Force Corsair. The majority of the Task Force’s aircraft are drawn from the American Army. The Chinooks began missions in March 2006 and flew their last mission on 30 March 2007."
1,000 Hours of Air Time, Captain Lachlan Simond, Dispatches, Department of Defence, Australia
"One thousand hours flown without serious incident or accident demonstrated the pace and the tempo of the operations, Lt-Col Prictor said. 'It is at least twice the amount of flying time two aircraft would normally accrue in a year and the detachment has achieved that on combat operations in Afghanistan,' he said. The detachment provides one third of the US medium lift helicopter capability in southern Afghanistan. Lt-Col Prictor said aircraft and crews were interchangeable with the US, and Australia was treated as an equal partner. 'Our pilots are often the air mission commanders on combined US-Australian missions,' he said."
Afghanistan helicopter force hit by crew shortage, Ian McPhedran, Courier-Mail, 12 April 2007
"A lack of qualified crew rather than wear and tear has left Diggers in Afghanistan without Australian helicopter support for the rest of the year. Two Chinook heavy-lift choppers from the Townsville-based 5th Aviation Regiment have been recalled after a 12-month tour and will not be replaced until next February. Commander of 5th Aviation Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Mick Prictor, said the helicopters needed to be rebuilt after logging 1215 combat hours."
Analysis and commentary
RPG attack, 14 March 2007
Taliban Attacks Aussie chopper, The Age, 14 March 2007
"An Australian helicopter carrying media as well as Afghan and US troops narrowly escaped being hit by insurgents who opened fire as it flew low over a Taliban-dominated area of Afghanistan. Television footage shot by an SBS [Special Broadcasting Service] cameraman aboard the Chinook chopper on Monday showed an object - either a tracer round or a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) - missing the aircraft by some 20 metres. The Chinook was carrying five aircrew, a six-strong Australian media contingent, four Afghan National Army soldiers and four members of US special forces. It was flying between Forward Operations Base Ripley at Tarin Kowt and Kandahar early on Monday afternoon Afghanistan time when the incident occurred."
Video of March 14 Chinook attack, The Age
Incident involving Australian Ch-47 Chinook Helicopter in Afghanistan, Media Release, Department of Defence, Australia, 14 March 2007
Interview with Officer Commanding Chinook Detachment in Afghanistan, Lt Col Kevin Humphreys, Incident involving an Australian CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan, 14 March 2007 [audio], Department of Defence, Australia
See also
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Bases - Kandahar Air Field, Australian Forces Abroad: Bases
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CH-47 helicopter, Australian Forces Abroad