Final farewells: Loadmaster Cpl Chris Borg and pilots Lt Leigh Sage and Lt Brad Marshall were one of the three crews seeing off the Huey in Brisbane.
Gearing up: Crews prepare to take off from Enoggera to commence the final fly past of Brisbane before retirement.
City fly-past: Two of the last four UH-1H Iroquois helicopters marked their retirement from Army during a fly-past of Brisbane city.

Army farewelled the Iroquois helicopter, which has served the country for more than 40 years, with a fly-past of Brisbane on September 21.

The Iroquois operated with all three services, beginning with the UH-1B variant in 1962.

In addition to assisting in disaster relief, the Huey served on deployments to PNG, the Sinai, Banda Ache and the Solomon Islands.

Undoubtedly, the Iroquois was most famous for its service in the Vietnam War.

“In many ways it was the sound of the Vietnam War,” Brig Nick Bartels, CO 16 Bde (Avn), said.

“It seems that every time you see something to do with the Vietnam War you’ve got Hueys in the background.”

Brig Bartels, who flew Iroquois in 1988 – 89, said although he was sad to see the workhorse go, he was looking forward to its replacement.

“The MRH90 is a sensational aircraft and it will greatly enhance our capability. Yes I’m sad but on the other hand I’m looking forward to the next one.”

About 25 Australian personnel are currently training in France on the first two MRH90s, while three more aircraft of the 44 ordered are being assembled in Brisbane.

Brig Bartels said the role of loadmaster basic training and the provision of search and rescue at Oakey would go to Boeing, who recently won the contract to replace the Huey’s final role using Bell 412s.

He said the Iroquois was a dependable aircraft, which had served the ADF over four decades.

“It’s not just an Army capability that we’re saying goodbye to today,” he said.

Flying in the last formation, loadmaster Cpl Chris Borg said his family had a history with the Iroquois.

His uncle Darcy O’Conner flew the aircraft along side the now CDF, ACM Angus Houston in the RAAF.

“He did a tour when the Iroquois went to the Sinai with 9 Sqn,” Cpl Borg said.

The former Black Hawk crewman said he fought to get on the Hueys and was honoured to be on their final flight with Army.

“It’s a really good feeling to be flying these things on their last day after 40 plus years of service,” he said.

Cpl Borg compared transferring from Black Hawks to Iroquois with driving different cars.

“It’s like driving in a brand new HSV Monaro then jumping in an old 66 Mustang. It’s slower and older, but it’s got more character.”

He also said the Iroquois was as reliable as ever.

“The guys had a great serviceability record with them in the Solomon Islands and Banda Ache.

They just had them flying all day and all night and very rarely did they break,” he said.

One of Cpl Borg’s crewmates, pilot Lt Leigh Sage, said being the lead ship in the fly past of Brisbane was good fun.

“There’s not too many opportunities where you get paid to fly on a perfectly sunny day on a Friday afternoon and three helicopters at 200 feet down Brisbane river, it really was fantastic,” Lt Sage said.

“There aren’t too many government jobs that are this good.”

Lt Sage was one of the last two trainees to be trained on the Iroquois.

“I can understand some of the old salts getting upset about the retirement. I’ve got just enough hours on it to get attached to it, and now they’re taking it away.”

A committee will make recommendations to government as to what will be done with the retired aircraft.

A dinner will be held at Oakey on October 19 for current and former personnel associated with the Iroquois. Cost $50pp. Contact matthew.reiter@defence.gov.au

A lap of honour
By Cpl Mike McSweeney

Edition 1176, October 4, 2007

Workhorse of war: 5 Pl, B Coy, 7RAR prepare to board a Iroquois during Operation Ulmarrah in South Vietnam, August 26, 1967. Photo courtesy of AWM

IT was a feeling of nostalgia as the Hueys glided over the Brisbane suburbs for the last time on September 21.

The three ship formation seemed peaceful flying on the warm, sunny day, a contrast to their sorties in the Vietnam War. It was a moment to reflect on an iconic aircraft.

But this was the Iroquois, and she wasn’t about to bow out without a show. As we neared the city, the party began.

The pilots closed up the spacing and fell into single file. As they reached the Brisbane River, they dropped it down to 200ft and raced along the deck.

Retirement often conjures up images of frailty, but the Huey is as tough as ever. The sharp bends in the river and the many bridges are obstacles for neither man nor beast.

The pilot reefs back on the collective and the workhorse leaps skyward.

They tip her on her side and I’m stuck to my seat, staring straight down at the river below. The blades slap the air hard, and a smile draws on my face. This old beast still has plenty of kick.

The people of Brisbane are out in force, enjoying the beautiful weather. They hear the familiar noise and cast their gaze skyward, catching the spectacle of the three ship formation.

They wave from the footpaths and their balconies and we wave back. It’s a warm send off. They may not know it, but they are all bidding farewell to a piece of history.

As we pass over Brisbane’s Southbank we wheel around, and then wheel around again.

Not hooked into the intercom, I figure the crew are just getting into the spirit of things and fanging out some formation donuts.

They explain later that they were trying to get observation on other aircraft – the sky was starting to get a bit busy.

We head back to Gallipoli Barracks, touching down on the grass. It is a chance now for the waiting crowd to say their final farewell. Soldiers, children and veterans alike, marvel at the aircraft.

Soon it is time for the Iroquois to make their way to their final resting place in Army service – Oakey.

The engines whine, their pitch getting higher and higher.

The blades start turning, picking up speed. Finally they’re turning fast enough to give off that all-too familiar sound – wukka wukka.

They climb gracefully into the air, pass Enoggera hill, and disappear.