| 171 AVN Sqn’s training program has taken off with the unit’s first Special Operations Qualification Course beginning this year.
The course from February 5-23 is designed to train aircrew in the conduct of aviation support to special ops and to provide proficiency training for qualified aircrew.
Lt-Col Stephen Clynk, CO of 171 Avn Sqn, said the course focused on exposing aircrew to a number of different flying conditions.
“This course includes training in a wide variety of locations including Holsworthy training area, the Sydney CBD and several locations in Canberra,” he said.
“... it is essential that we expose our aircrew to a wide variety of environments including both urban and rural areas by day and at night utilising night vision devices.”
Most of the unit’s personnel have been involved in running the course and four Black Hawks have been used during the training’s flying phase.
“We’ve also conducted a series of ground lectures, which covered strategic level requirements all the way through to tactical level execution of tasks,” Lt-Col Clynk said.
“The course is designed to give the aircrew a sense of where their role fits into the wider ADF response capability, so they understand what they are doing and why they are doing it.”
He said the unit had a busy year planned. This would include further Special Operations Qualification Courses, numerous operations and exercises, maintaining a short-notice response capability for the ADF and continuing to establish the unit at its new home at Holsworthy.
The unit relocated from Townsville to Holsworthy in early December and is currently based in temporary facilities. Lt-Col Clynk said the permanent facilities were expected to be completed by late 2008.
“They will consist of a brand new headquarters building, workshops, 12 aircraft hangars and an aircraft washing facility,” he said.
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