Brisbane, May 18, 2005
The Boeing Company has congratulated the Australian Army on ten years of operation of the backbone of its heavy-lift helicopter fleet, the Boeing CH-47D Chinook.
“The Chinook has a long history of service in Australia, and Boeing sends its best wishes and congratulations to the men and women of the Australian Army who have had the honour of serving with this remarkable aircraft over the past ten years,” said the Hon. Andrew Peacock, AC, President of Boeing Australia.
The Chinook entered service with the Australian Army in May 1995 when Boeing delivered four D model aircraft to the 5th Aviation Regiment’s C Squadron in Townsville. In June 1998, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) announced the purchase of two more Chinooks, taking the fleet to six and boosting the Army’s troop lift and logistic support capability. Since then, the fleet has been deployed on military and humanitarian missions around the globe including troop and equipment transportation during Operation Falconer, Australia’s contribution to the war in Iraq; drought relief in Papua New Guinea for Operation PLES DRAI; and 2000 Sydney Olympics security support.
To commemorate the anniversary, Boeing Australia commissioned aviation artist and serving member of C Squadron, Captain Conway Bown, to produce a limited edition print of the Chinook’s Australian Army missions, which will be distributed to guests at a Townsville event on 20 May.
The ADF is currently investigating plans to upgrade and expand its fleet of Chinooks as part of its Air 9000 program which seeks to provide an enhanced operational support capability to the ADF helicopter fleet.
Before entering service with the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Air Force operated twelve CH-47C Chinooks from 1974 until 1989, when they were decommissioned and replaced by Australian Army Black Hawks. The demand for Black Hawk logistics support led to the decision to reintroduce Chinooks to the Australian military in the early 1990s.
On the eve of the anniversary dinner, Andrew Peacock paid tribute to an aircraft that has not only withstood the introduction of more modern military hardware, but will continue to satisfy heavy lift and transportation needs well into this century.
“The Chinook has remained the cornerstone of military heavy lift helicopter fleets around the world for more than forty years, and its capability, versatility and reliability across military and civilian roles remains unsurpassed to this day,” he said.
“The Chinook has a long and successful history and a secure long-term future given the plans of the US Army to continue with the F model program though until 2035.
“Australia has the opportunity to benefit from that program and we look forward to continuing our long and trusted relationship with the Australian Army.”
Since production commenced in 1953, Boeing has manufactured 1175 CH-47 Chinooks, including 429 for international customers. Chinooks currently serve with military forces of more than 15 countries, including the US, UK, Japan, Italy and Korea.
|
