Image Gallery 2009
22 July 2009
Chook Maintainers Hard At Work
Two Australian Army CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopters (MLH) based at Kandahar Airfield as part of the Australian Defence Force’s commitment to coalition operations in southern Afghanistan.
The Chinook is a very versatile and reliable aircraft that is used extensively to support special operations, troop movement and combat resupply to various camps and forward operating bases (FOB) in southern Afghanistan.
Operation SLIPPER is Australia's military contribution to coalition efforts against international terrorism. Under this operation our forces contribute to the efforts of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, aimed at preventing Afghanistan again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists, and the United States-led International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT) efforts in the broader Middle East.
| 20090621adf8083167_003 On completion of a mission, maintenance crews for the CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) go over every inch of the aircraft, checking and cleaning to ensure that a high level of serviceability is maintained. The Australian Chinooks have maintained a high rate of serviceability throughout their deployment to Afghanistan, which is a reflection of the professionalism of the ground maintenance crews. An important element of the post mission checks is ensuring that the M134 Dillan minigun ammunition is refurbished ready for the next mission. (Date taken: 21 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090621adf8083167_013 On completion of a mission, maintenance crews for the CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) go over every inch of the aircraft, checking and cleaning to ensure that a high level of serviceability is maintained. The Australian Chinooks have maintained a high rate of serviceability throughout their deployment to Afghanistan, which is a reflection of the professionalism of the ground maintenance crews. An important element of the post mission checks is ensuring that the M134 Dillan minigun ammunition is refurbished ready for the next mission. (Date taken: 21 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090621adf8083167_015 Cleaning the windshield is just one of the many tasks which are carried out once the aircraft has returned to Kandahar and shut down. Ensuring such things are done immediately means the aircraft is ready to respond to short notice tasking. (Date taken: 21 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090621adf8083167_026 Ensuring that no components on the aircraft have worked themselves loose during the flight is just one of many critical checks carried out due to the stresses of combat flying. (Date taken: 21 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090621adf8083167_029 A hole in the side of an office in the Australian CH-47D Chinook maintenance area - the result of rocket attack on the base at Kandahar - is left unpatched as a reminder of the dangers ever present in operations in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 21 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090621adf8083167_033 An Australian CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) prepares to touchdown at Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan following a mission. (Date taken: 21 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090621adf8083167_042 Having just returned from a mission in southern Afghanistan, a CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) taxis to it's allocated place on the parking apron at Kandahar Airfield. (Date taken: 21 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090621adf8083167_057 A CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) conducts hover checks having just returned from a mission in southern Afghanistan. Although a relatively large helicopter itself, it is dwarfed by the two Russian MIL Mi-26 Halo heavy lift helicopters in the background. The two monster helicopters are civilian aircraft supporting aid efforts in the war torn country. (Date taken: 21 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090621adf8083167_068 As a CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) shuts down on the parking apron at Kandahar Airfield following a mission in the mountainous regions of southern Afghanistan, a United States Army Blackhawk helicopter hovers in the background. (Date taken: 21 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090621adf8083167_083 The important mounting area for the CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) rotor blades is cleaned and check for serviceability following a mission in southern Afghanistan. The Australian Chinooks have maintained a high rate of serviceability throughout their deployment to Afghanistan, which is a reflection of the professionalism of the ground maintenance crews. |
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| 20090621adf8083167_084 CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) ground maintenance crews comb over important areas of the aircraft such as the rotor housing and the engine cowlings following a mission in southern Afghanistan. The Australian Chinooks have maintained a high rate of serviceability throughout their deployment to Afghanistan, which is a reflection of the professionalism of the ground maintenance crews. |
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