Army Chinooks commence summer operations in Afghanistan

Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters have commenced the summer rotation of rotary wing operations in Afghanistan while embedded with the United States 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

The two Australian 'Chooks' are based at Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan and will operate for eight months over the Afghan summer to provide airlift support to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Commanding Officer of the Australian Chinook Detachment, Lieutenant Colonel David Lynch, said that the Australians will work intimately with the American Chinook company.

"We have inserted our two Chinooks into the company to bolster their capacity to do heavy lifting throughout Regional Command (South)," Lieutenant Colonel Lynch said.

The helicopters arrived in Afghanistan by Australian C-17 aircraft less than a month ago and have since been reassembled and test flown in the harsh desert operating environment.

Lieutenant Colonel Lynch said his team had worked hard to get the aircraft to the final operating stage they're now at.

"Every year when we first arrive in Afghanistan we have a significant job to do.

"Once the first aircraft arrives it's all hands on deck to get it up and running and test flown for serviceability so we can commence operations."

The current Australian detachment forms Rotary Wing Group 5, the fifth helicopter detachment to deploy since the CH-47s first began operating in Afghanistan in March 2006.

In order for the aircraft to be classified as fully mission capable, the crews subject the helicopter to rigorous test flying and must themselves demonstrate a high level of proficiency in local flying conditions.

Aircrewman Technician Corporal Nicholas Baxter said the local area orientations are for the pilots and crew to become familiar with the terrain in Afghanistan.

"During local area orientations we conduct door gunnery, fire flares, and we practice dust landings," Corporal Baxter said.

"It's to see what type of environment we'll be operating in for the next eight months."

Source: Department of Defence, Australia