RAN bids farewell to Bravo helicopters
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has officially retired its S-70B-2 Seahawk Bravo helicopters with the last of the fleet handed over to the Australian War Memorial for preservation in the national collection, the RAN announced on 4 December.
The Seahawk Bravo helicopters that served the RAN for nearly three decades have been replaced by the latest version of the Seahawk - the MH-60R Romeo - in the RAN fleet. The RAN has purchased 24 Romeos to replace the Bravos.
Australia's Bravo helicopters served in Operation Damask during the first Gulf War, Operations Relex and Resolute for border protection duties and operations Slipper and Manitou in the Middle East.
Tim Barrett, Vice Admiral and Chief of RAN, said: ‘The Bravo is one of the most reliable and capable maritime aircraft. Many of our pilots, air crews and maintainers have worked on this platform ensuring it provided 29 years of service to RAN.’
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