Image Gallery: April 2008
Rotary Wing Group on station in Kandahar
29 April 2008
The deployment of the Rotary Wing Group is the second deployment to Afghanistan by Army Chinooks as part of Operation SLIPPER.
The first deployment ended in April 2007 to allow the aircraft to undergo deep-level maintenance and receive a number of upgrades, most notably the fitting of modified engines that give the aircraft nearly 25 per cent more power with increased fuel efficiency than before. Enhanced ballistic protection and advanced communication equipment have also been fitted.
The CH-47 Chinook is capable of carrying 30 combat troops or can move 11.7 tonne of cargo internally and/or externally slung.
Operation SLIPPER is the ADF contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Operation SLIPPER is an important component of the Australian Government's commitment to working together with the international community to help prevent acts of terrorism around the world.
| 20080422adf8286840_010 Corporal Trevlyn Green of the CH-47 Detachment, Rotary Wing Group, Kandahar, Afghanistan, conducts the daily maintenance inspection of the Chinook helicopter. (Date taken: 22 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080422adf8286840_014 Craftsman Richard Miller, 31, of the CH-47 Detachment, Rotary Wing Group, Kandahar, Afghanistan, conducts the daily maintenance inspection of the Chinook helicopter. (Date taken: 22 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080422adf8286840_021 Craftsmen James Turner and Mick Field of CH-47 Detachment, Rotary Wing Group, Kandahar, Afghanistan, clean off the remains of a bird which struck the helicopter during flight. The safety precautions are followed to protect against bird flu. (Date taken: 22 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080424adf8286840_053 An Australian CH-47 Chinook helicopter takes an underslung load of ordnance at Kandahar Air Field. Australian CH-47 Chinook helicopters take part in Operation Southern Thunder with coalition forces in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 24 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080424adf8286840_068 An Australian and coalition CH-47 Chinook helicopter prepare to take an underslung load of ordnance at Kandahar Air Field. (Date taken: 24 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080424adf8286840_073 An Australian CH-47 Chinook helicopter prepares to take an underslung load of ordnance at Kandahar Air Field. (Date taken: 24 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080424adf8286840_102 An aircrew technician waits in the growing light of dawn as the Australian CH-47D Chinook helicopter, from the 5th Aviaiton Regiment, Townsville, with United States soldiers aboard, prepares for take off from Kandahar Air Field. (Date taken: 24 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080424adf8286840_118 Australian Army pilots prepare their CH-47 Chinook helicopter in the growing light of dawn at Kandahar Air Field. (Date taken: 24 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080424adf8286840_128 United States soldiers board an Australian CH-47 Chinook helicopter in the pre-dawn darkness. They place their packs upon a support weapon which is already aboard. (Date taken: 24 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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