17 February 2005
Australian Iroquois helicopters fly final mission on Operation Sumatra

The Australian Army's long serving helicopters, the Iroquois UH-1s of 5 Aviation Regiment, flew their final missions on Operation Sumatra Assist delivering humanitarian assistance stores to the village of Lhong in the province of Aceh.

This village was one of the areas where the Iroquois had operated most frequently during the previous five weeks. As well as delivering stores, Army personnel also brought with them toys and soccer balls which they had purchased themselves as gifts for the people.

The Australian Joint Task Force commander, Brigadier David Chalmers, and the commander of the Indonesian Government disaster relief programme in Aceh Province, Major General Bambang Darmono, met the local sub-district administrator Mr Mahdi who received the aid shipment and expressed his thanks.

Read release: Australian Iroquois to return home

20050211ran8098545_055 Australian Army Iroquois helicopters at Banda Aceh hospital about to begin their final humanitarian aid missions in Operation Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 15 February 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050211ran8098545_079 Australian Army Iroquois helicopters at Banda Aceh hospital about to take off for humanitarian aid missions. (Date taken: 15 February 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050211ran8098545_082 An Australian Army Iroquois helicopter fly over the coast of Indonesia's Aceh Province on their final humanitarian aid mission during Operation Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 15 February 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050211ran8098545_088 Australian Army Iroquois helicopters fly over the city of Banda Aceh on their last humanitarian aid mission during Operation Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 15 February 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050211ran8098545_127 Australian Army Iroquois helicopters fly over the coast near Banda Aceh on their last humanitarian aid mission during Operation Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 15 February 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050211ran8098545_133 Australian Army Iroquois helicopters near the village of Lhong in Indonesia's Aceh Province for their last humanitarian aid mission during Operation Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 15 February 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050211ran8098545_147 Australian Army Iroquois helicopters arrive at the village of Lhong in Indonesia's Aceh Province for their last humanitarian aid mission during Operation Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 15 February 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050211ran8098545_156 Australian Army Iroquois helicopters arrive at the village of Lhong in Indonesia's Aceh Province for their last humanitarian aid mission during Operation Sumatra Assist. (Date taken: 15 February 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res