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Sea
King records a record month
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The
hard working flight crew from HMAS Kanimbla's Sea King helicopter
takes time out to pose for a photo. (L-R) Flight Operations
Officer, LEUT Mat Bradley, Aircrewman, LS Jeff Weber, Pilot,
LEUT Paul Kimlin, and Flight Commander and pilot LCDR Paul
Moggach.
Photo by LSA Jeff Weber. |
By
LEUT Emily Curtis
HMAS Kanimbla’s Sea King helicopter and crew, deployed from
817 Squadron at the Naval Air Station in Nowra, has recorded a
record flying month during operations in the Persian Gulf.
During March the Sea King Flight, led by Flight Commander, LCDR
Paul Moggach, flew a total of 162.5 hours. This is more than the
combined monthly flying rate of all other 817 helicopters –
breaking a squadron record.
Since deploying the Flight has played an integral role. During
March it has:
- conducted
surface search operations;
- lifted
and transported 200,000 pounds of stores;
- transferred
326 passengers;
- carried
out two medical evacuations; and
- was
the first Royal Australian Navy aircraft to land in Iraq after
the commencement of hostilities.
During
the deployment it has carried out an enormous array of tasks,
making good use of the Sea King’s endurance and heavy lift
capabilities.
LCDR Paul Moggach is very proud of what his Flight has achieved.
“The flight crew has been working at four times the normal
rate of effort and has maintained its professionalism and commitment
throughout.
“This commitment has ensured that we have continued to operate
safely in a very dynamic multi-national environment. It has seen
us carry out all the varied tasks required of us throughout this
operation,” he said.
“It is a credit to both the aircrew and the maintenance personnel.”
The flight maintainers have also supplemented the ship’s
Aviation Department by working as Flight Deck Team members. They
have seen seven different aircraft types operating from three
Navies.
“The flight maintainers have maintained a very high standard
of service to both our and visiting aircraft,” LCDR Moggach
said.
The Flight is also enjoying support from the home front.
“All the support we have received from home, not only from
our family and friends, but from the Nowra community and the wider
Australian public has been great – without their support
it would be difficult to do what my team does so well,” he
said.
The Sea King Flight will return home with Kanimbla in July.
Meanwhile the crew stands ready to continue its significant contribution
to the success of operations in the Persian Gulf.
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