Image Gallery 2008
11 February 2008
Chinook helicopters arrive in Kandahar
Two Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters have arrived in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan, as part of Australia’s contribution to support the Government of Afghanistan and NATO’s International Security Assistance Force.
Flown from Australia onboard C-17 military cargo aircraft, the CH-47s are now being reassembled prior to their test flights. The aircraft, their aircrew, maintainers and administrative staff have been drawn from the Townsville-based C Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment. The Rotary Wing Group, as the detachment is referred to, is expected to be operational by March 2008.
The arrival of the two CH-47s of the Rotary Wing Group is the second deployment to Afghanistan by Army Chinooks as part of Operation SLIPPER. The first deployment ended in April 2007 to allow the aircraft to undergo deep-level maintenance and receive a number of upgrades, most notably the fitting of more powerful engines that give the aircraft nearly 25 per cent more power with increased fuel efficiency. Enhanced ballistic protection and advanced communication equipment have also been fitted.
The CH-47 Chinook is classified as a medium lift helicopter and is capable of carrying 30 combat troops. For the movement of cargo it has the capacity to lift an 11.7-tonne load internally or externally slung.
Operation SLIPPER is the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the rehabilitation of Afghanistan.
| 20080208adf8267338_122 Aircraft Technician Craftsman Dennis O’Neill awaits instructions as he sits in the cockpit of an Australian Army CH-47 helicopter that is being prepared for unloading from a C-17 cargo aircraft at Kandahar Airfield, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 08 February 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080208adf8267338_172 The first of two Australian Army CH-47 helicopters to arrive at Kandahar Airfield is man-handled away from a C-17 cargo aircraft. (Date taken: 08 February 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080209adf8267338_026 Corporal Andrew Harvey reaches into the rear rotor mast of an Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter that is being reassembled at Kandahar Airfield, southern Afghanistan. Above him on the mast is the symbol of the 5th Aviation Regiment. (Date taken: 09 February 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080209adf8267338_099 Rotary Wing Group aircrew check the cockpit of a newly-delivered Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Kandahar Airfield, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 February 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080209adf8267338_103 Rotary Wing Group aircrew check the cockpit of a newly-delivered Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Kandahar Airfield, southern Afghanistan. In the background an Iluyshin IL-76 taxies to the runway threshold. (Date taken: 09 February 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080209adf8267338_135 Craftsman Anthony Allen (right) and Warrant Officer First Class Cameron Kerr guide the forward rotor assembly of an Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter that is being reassembled at Kandahar Airfield, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 February 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080209adf8267338_147 Warrant Officer First Class Cameron Kerr (left) and Craftsman Anthony Allen guide the forward rotor assembly of an Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter that is being reassembled at Kandahar Airfield, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 February 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080209adf8267338_177 Warrant Officer First Class Cameron Kerr (centre) and Craftsman Anthony Allen (right) secure the forward rotor assembly of an Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter that is being reassembled at Kandahar Airfield, southern Afghanistan. Sergeant Graham Forbes keeps a watch on their progress from the cab of the crane. (Date taken: 09 February 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080209adf8267338_189 A British Sea King helicopter taxies in the background as an Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter awaits its turn to be reassembled at Kandahar Airfield, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 February 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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