Latest helo pilots… SBLTs McCole and Van De Beek and LEUT Raffin.

The RAN now has three new helicopter pilots.

The three, LEUT John Raffin and SBLTs Andrew McCole and Andre Van De Beek, have graduated from the Australian Defence Force Helicopter School at RAAF Fairbairn.

SBLT Van De Beek graduated as dux of the course while SBLT Cole received the award for the highest average ground school marks.

Although badge pilots from their RAAF Pearce graduation the five months at the ADFHS was an important step in becoming fully qualified naval pilots.

The three have now posted to 723 Squadron in HMAS ALBATROSS to undergo on-the-job training.

In the future Andrew McCole hopes to become qualified in Seahawks and Andre Van De Beek and John Raffin are keen to end up in Sea Sprites.