Hawks to migrate
171 Avn Sqn to boost SF capability

Ready for action: TAG-E soldiers in full kit at Holsworthy Barracks. Photos by AB David McMahon

Welcome: Defence Minister Robert Hill meets TAG-E soldiers (above).

By Michael Brooke

171 Avn Sqn’s Black Hawks will relocate to Holsworthy Barracks at the end of next year to boost the ability of our Special Forces to respond to a terrorist threat on Australia’s east coast.

Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill said basing 171 Avn Sqn at Holsworthy would provide a major new training and operational SF capability.

“The squadron will be replaced in Townsville by the new MRH 90 Troop Lift Helicopter squadron,” he said.

“The Black Hawk squadron will work with the soldiers of SOCOMD. The basing of the Black Hawk squadron is part of the project to redevelop the SF facility at Holsworthy Barracks.”

Project Director Lt-Col Martin Skin said the plan was for the project to be completed by 2009.

Future: An artist’s impression of the base redesign.

He said the project would provide vital accommodation and infrastructure to support the new training facilities already approved and under construction at Holsworthy.

“These include electronic and live firing ranges and a mock-up aircraft, as well as training for counter terrorism scenarios,” he said.

The plan to centralise the SF elements would not impact upon the project to move HQ SOCOMD from its current location at Garden Island to HQ JOC in Canberra in the future.

Mr Hill said the project and other recent initiatives to improve Special Forces facilities at Holsworthy would enhance the capability of SF elements.

He unveiled the details of the multi-million dollar redevelopment project at a press conference in Sydney on July 8.

Parliament is not expected to approve the project until it meets in mid-August.

“Holsworthy remains a long term Defence base and is one of Australia’s key bases for national security,” Mr Hill said.

Lt-Col Skin said redevelopment of the Holsworthy Barracks precinct was part of the Program of Works-Special Operations Working Accommodation and Holsworthy Barracks Redevelopment Stage 1.

He said this consisted of five interrelated works projects, located within Holsworthy Barracks, which supported a range of capabilities.