History: B Squadron is one of 3 flying squadrons within 5th Aviation Regiment, two of which fly the Blackhawk helicopter. B Squadron represents the main battlefield airmobile squadron of the Army, responsible for anything from up to Company level airmobile operations, to medical evacuations or general support tasks. The Squadron has been deployed on a number of United Nations (UN) and humanitarian operations over the past 10 years, including:

‘OP GEMINI’ A troop deployment to Cambodia to assist in the elections within the country in 1993. This was the first operational deployment of Australian Blackhawks, and also the first deployment of Australian helicopters since Vietnam.

‘OP LAGOON’ in 1994 was with the South Pacific Peace Monitoring Group in Bougainville.

‘OP SIERRA’, between 1997 and 1998, was a humanitarian aid deployment to Papua New Guinea. The Squadron conducted a series of food and medical aid drops to the people of New Guinea.

‘OP AUSINDO JAYA’ was a similar task to ‘OP SIERRA’, where the Squadron assisted the people of Indonesian Iryan Jaya.

With the push for East Timorese independence in full swing, B Squadron as part of 5th Aviation Regiment was sent to assist the Australian lead international force. In the first few days of 'Operation Stabilise’, the Squadron conducted many large-scale airmobile operations. During INTERFET, the Regiment and Squadron were busy with the movement of troops and stores from many foreign countries around the nation of East Timor, as well as numerous medical evacuations for both injured soldiers and civilians. The movement of the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment was the largest airmobile operation ever conducted by the Squadron.

The change from Australian to UN control (UNTAET) in February 2000 also saw the Squadron move from their base in Dili, to the township of Balibo near the tactical control line (TCL) of East and West Timor. Since this time, B Squadron as a part of 5th Aviation Regiment has continued to provide a short notice Aeromedical and Response Force capability for the Australian soldiers conducting peace enforcement close to the TCL.

What are we up to today? B Squadron has a wide and varied task list within its role as the ‘green’, or airmobile squadron in 5th Aviation Regiment. The Squadron still has aircraft on operations in East Timor as well as maintaining a training and exercise program within Australia.

The Squadron’s pilots are now getting their first taste of the new Blackhawk flight simulator. This simulator has just come on line at Oakey, which saves the previously long trips to the United States for similar training.

An element of the squadron’s tradesmen and operations staff have been trying their hand at Navy life with a deck handling course on board HMAS Kanimbla. This training is designed to enhance our offshore capabilities.

Later in the year the Squadron can expect some platoon and company airmobile training, a troop evaluation exercise, as well as a short trip to Papua New Guinea in order to achieve familiarisation in flying operations at high-density altitudes.

The Future. Next year will see much of the same as this year. East Timor will form a major priority in Squadron activities, as well as numerous tasks for infantry and supporting units ensuring that B Squadron once again will have a very busy year.