CO 816 Squadron, CMDR Andrew Whittaker attended Helipower 2001 in Hannover, Germany, to be presented the award of 'International Helicopter Squadron of the Year'.

The managing director of the Shephard Press, Mr Alexander Shephard, presented the award.

816 Squadron was in competition with a significant number of other helicopter squadrons from around the world, including the USA, UK, Netherlands and Greece.

This was the inaugural award and was selected by the correspondents of Defence Helicopter Magazine and the Shephard Press.

The selection was based upon achievements of the squadron and embarked ship's flights over the year and the difficulties under which they had to operate.

Editor of Defence Helicopter Magazine, Andy Healey said "We wanted to recognise outfits which might not have done anything particularly heroic over the year, but instead had beavered away above and beyond, with little or no recognition for their efforts".
2001 began quietly enough for 816 Squadron, with a formation flypast in Sydney on New Year's Day.

The year then provided 816 Squadron with a significant amount of operational commitments, from the Arabian Gulf to north-east Asia and the south-west Pacific.

All this was conducted while maintaining a training throughput to sustain the longer-term viability of the national commitments; many of which arose at short notice, demanding people rapidly prepare for deployments for extended periods.

Some personnel were forced to embark unexpectedly with less than 24 hours notice. The level of operational commitment was made difficult by the low numbers of personnel, particularly aircrew.

On presenting the award, Mr Healey said, "816 Squadron has been under particular pressure this year (2001), training and supporting operations with a significant throughput of aircrew, all the while involved in cross-continental and international deployments on operations and exercises.

"It thoroughly deserves Defence Helicopter's inaugural Squadron of the Year award."

Naturally, CMDR Whittaker also holds his squadron in high esteem .

"Nothing that the squadron achieved in 2001 would have been possible without the dedication and professionalism of the men and women of 816 Squadron, our most valuable resource," he said.

The award in Germany was an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of Australia, and also providing the RAN and HMAS Albatross with substantial international exposure.