Image Gallery 2009
22 July 2009
The Flying Chooks
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.
| 20090622adf8083167_006 The cockpit of a CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH). (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_010 A pilot of an Australian CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH), checks the movement of other aircraft at Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan, prior to departing on a combat resupply mission. The airfield at Kandahar is reported to be one of the busiest in the world. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_017 The pilot of a CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) looks out over the rugged and untamed terrain of Afghanistan during a combat resupply mission in the southern region of the country. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_024 The starboard gunner of a CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) trains his M134 Dillan 6-barrel minigun over an open plain in southern Afghanistan at the beginning of a combat resupply mission. As well assisting with the loading and unloading of troops and cargo, they have the very real responsibility of providing a self-defence capability for the aircraft and personnel onboard. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_032 An Australian CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) refuels at a main coalition forward operating base (FOB) in southern Afghanistan during a combat resupply mission. Depending on environmental conditions and the payloads being carried, the Chinook will refuel a number of times in the course of a mission. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_047 Soldiers from the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF) One, embark a CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) from a forward operating base (FOB) in southern Afghanistan. This is first step in their journey home to Australian after eight months on the ground. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_052 The ramp gunner manning his MAG58 machine gun in the rear of a CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH), scans the 'green belt' below for signs of danger posed by insurgents known to hide amongst such regions. In the background, a second Chinook operating in tandem, prepares to make the potentially hazardous crossing. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_057 Warrant Officer Class 2 assists with the embarkation of soldiers from Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF) One at a remote forward operating base (FOB) in southern Afghanistan. The soldiers have come to the end of an eight month tour and the welcome arrival of the Chinook is the first step in their journey home. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_063 The silhouettes of two CH-47D Chinook aircrewman slanted against the open plain of southern Afghanistan, gives a visual queue to the tactical flying required during missions in Afghanistan to make it difficult for Taliban insurgents to target them. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_084 Soldiers from the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF) One, embark a CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) from a remote forward operating base (FOB) in southern Afghanistan. This is first step in their journey home to Australian after eight months on the ground. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_091 A CH-47D Chinook aircrewman assists with the loading of gear belonging to soldiers from the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF) One, at a forward operating base (FOB) in southern Afghanistan. This is first step in their journey home to Australian after eight months on the ground. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_100 Soldiers from the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF) One, disembark a CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) at Tarin Kowt having been picked up from a remote forward operating base (FOB) in southern Afghanistan. This is first step in their journey home to Australian after eight months on the ground. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_106 Soldiers from the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF) One, cover their gear to prevent it being picked up in the rotor wash from a CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) which has just brought them to Tarin Kowt from a remote forward operating base (FOB) in southern Afghanistan. This is first step in their journey home to Australian after eight months on the ground. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_110 CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) prepares to land at a forward operating base (FOB) near Tarin Kowt in southern Afghanistan to refuel during a mission to extract soldiers from the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF) One. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_121 A CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) aircrewman mans a M134 Dillan 6-barrel minigun, providing the aircraft with a self-defence capability should it come under fire during resupply and special operations missions. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_130 An Australian CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) refuels at a main coalition forward operating base (FOB) in southern Afghanistan during a combat resupply mission. Depending on environmental conditions and the payloads being carried, the Chinook will refuel a number of times in the course of a mission. An aircrewman manning the starboard M134 Dillan minigun postion looks on. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_140 The silhouette of an aircrewman frames other aircraft on the ground as an Australian CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) lifts off from a coalition forward operating base (FOB). (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090622adf8083167_159 The reflection of a M134 Dillan 6 barrel minigun can be seen in the visor of a CH-47D Chinook aircrewman. The minigun provides an essential self-protection capabiltiy for the aircraft which constantly operates in potentially hostile environments as part of ongoing missions to support special operations and combat resupply. (Date taken: 22 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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