Capt Hayden Archibald, 162 Recce Sqn, lands in a US Marine Corps Cobra attack helicopter at Shoalwater Bay during Exercise Crocodile 03. Photo by Pte Jodie Richter, 1JPAU(P)

Cobra bares its fangs
Aussie behind the trigger

By Pte John Wellfare
AS THE day of the Tiger ARH comes ever closer, one Army helicopter pilot recently had the opportunity for a sneak preview, taking to the skies as co-pilot of a USMC Cobra during Ex Crocodile.

The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3MEB) deployed to Shoalwater Bay Training Area (Legais) with four Cobra attack helicopters as a close air support and air attack asset.

Taking to the co-pilot's seat and operating Cobra weapons systems was 162 Recce Sqn Pilot, Capt Hayden Archibald, who said the USMC attack helicopter was very similar to the Tigers recently purchased by the Australian Army.

"[The Cobra] is extremely capable and exactly what we're going to be moving towards in the Australian Army," he said.

"It's a significant power and capability and will definitely be good for the future."

Capt Archibald, who accompanied USMC Cobra Pilot Marine Captain Jon Livingston during a live-fire helicopter attack in the later phases of the exercise, said the weapons systems available to the marine attack helicopter were almost identical to those employed by the Tiger.

"It's just unbelievable to watch [the weapons] all come off and to see it actually go down range, it's very accurate.

"You can hear everything going off, you hear the rockets coming off the rails and see them impacting, the smell of cordite from the gun on the front, the vibration you feel off the pedals, it's really exciting.

"I'm used to tracking around at 90 knots, we came back [from the mission] at about 155 knots.

"I hope to move into the ARH that we're bringing into the Army and hopefully I'll operate it in the near future, as soon as it comes in."

The exchange was not entirely one-sided, with USMC pilots learning a few forgotten skills from Australian Kiowa pilots, who perform reconnaissance missions at treetop level.

"I thought we'd be taking a lot of information from [the Marine Pilots] and learning a lot from them but it has been very mutual.

"In terms of subject matter exchange, we've talked a lot about how we operate and they've used us quite extensively together.

"That's what we did [during the mission]; we had the Kiowas out there putting smoke down then we rolled in with the Cobras and actually engaged targets."

With the first Tiger helicopters rolling off the production line and a squadron-sized capability due for 2005, Capt Archibald may be taking Captain Livingston for a test flight in the near future.

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