By
Graham Davisns
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HMAS
Parramatta welcomes a Super Seasprite.
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Photo:
ABEWT Chris Wall
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The
RAN’s plan to put a Super Seasprite helicopter on each of its
eight ANZAC Class frigates moved a step closer last month when
HMAS Parramatta left Sydney with a Seasprite in her hangar.
Over the following four weeks the aircraft, her crew and her maintainers,
along with the ship’s helicopter landing party, have been carrying
out extensive first-ofclass flight trials.
The warship, under CMDR Mike Noonan, will operate off the east
coast of Australia with port visits to Mackay and Brisbane.
The 805 Squadron aircraft flew from its HMAS Albatross base on
April 18, landing on Parramatta then alongside Fleet Base East.
Training and trials began immediately with officers and sailors
practising drills securing the helicopter and putting it into
the hangar.
The RAN has a total of 11 Super Seasprites to come on line. The
Royal New Zealand Navy operates five of the type, using them on
its pair of Anzacs, Te Mana and Te Kaha and the Leander Class
frigate, HMNZS Canterbury.
HMAS Parramatta is one of four RAN assets scheduled to take part
in RIMPAC off Hawaii next month.
Parramatta will join Success, Newcastle and Rankin for the exercise.
