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role and command and liaison. We An Australian Army CH-47D been conducted with further trials Throughout its history, Army
extended that out into air mobility or Chinook being refuelled at later this year. Aviation has deployed to many non-
as we prefer to call it these days air a forward operating base in “This is a very significant step we warlike and humanitarian operations,
assault,” he said. Afghanistan in 2006. defence will take with the ARH. A great deal including Cambodia with the
“We extended that again with the of work has already occurred between United Nations, Papua New Guinea,
Chinook, used for combat service the Army and Navy. We are on track Indonesia, Pakistan, the Solomon
support. We extended it again to see effectively a final operational Islands and Fiji.
to special operations and special capability achieved through the Significantly, there’s also domestic
operations-type activities. sea series and Exercise Talisman counter-terrorism, with the Army’s
“That last big step was extending it Sabre 19,” BRIG Jobson said. remaining Black Hawks operated by
into close combat attack. That really “Once we achieve FOC with the 171 Aviation Squadron in support of
fleshed out this entire combat system aviation combat element, we will Special Operations Command.
to the one we see today.” possess …. a capability that only “At any time we have groups of
The next big step is to finalise Army relatively few nations in the world Australian special forces and men
Aviation’s capability to operate from possess.” and women of Army Aviation, aircrew
the Navy’s LHDs. That’s not trivial. It means technicians and support personnel
BRIG Steve Jobson, commander Australia could despatch a task force either training or at a heightened state
of 16th Aviation Brigade (under almost anywhere, with embarked of readiness,” BRIG Jobson said.
which the 1st, 5th and 6th Aviation helicopters delivering disaster relief Their missions have included
Regiments sit) said they were midway or landing and supporting troops for a the 2018 Commonwealth Games,
through development of a fully-fledged stabilisation, peacekeeping or combat Sydney 2000 Olympic Games,
amphibious aviation combat element, mission. Commonwealth Heads of Government
involving MRH-90s, Chinooks and In its half century, the Australian Meetings (CHOGM), APEC, the G20,
Tigers under the command of an Army Aviation Corps has contributed 2003 Rugby World Cup and visits of
aviation regimental headquarters. to three significant warlike operations the Pope and foreign heads of state.
“We have seen MRH-90s and – Vietnam, East Timor and the
now CH-47Fs certified to operate Middle East. Constantly innovating
at sea with the amphibious task East Timor was the longest, Army Aviation features modern
group delivering a suite of advanced ‘We will starting in 1999 and ending in 2013, equipment, skilled personnel with
outcomes in that environment, and involving Black Hawk, Kiowa and operational experience and effective
outcomes never before achieved by possess a King Air aircraft. support systems, so what more is there
the ADF in operating rotary-wing This was also the longest period to do?
platforms off ships,” he said. capability of providing aeromedical evacuation BRIG Benbow said their work was
“We are achieving the sorts of services for a deployed force. not done and there was always room
range, integrated missions, tactical that only “We are very, very proud of our for improvement.
outcomes, simultaneity, surprise and record through that operation and we “We are proud of the achievements
versatility which only a few nations in relatively are very, very proud of our complete of recent years in getting to this level
the world are able to deliver from that success in delivering aeromedical of performance. The next level for us is
environment.” few nations evacuation support,” BRIG Jobson how we approach the new digital age,”
In 2016, Army and Navy MRH-90s said. he said.
operated off HMAS Canberra to in the world Every day of the week ADF “We are leaning very aggressively
deliver aid to cyclone-devastated Fiji. helicopters are available to assist in into the unmanned aerial systems
The next step is to fully integrate possess.’ domestic disaster relief if requested space – how do we use the technology
ARH into the amphibious aviation by civil authorities, and overseas available to us to improve our
combat element. Initial trials have BRIG STEVE JOBSON humanitarian operations. capability, how do we improve our

64 AUSTRALIAN AVIATION