Four Iroquois ready for tsunami disaster relief

By Pte Shannon Joyce, Directorate Defence Newspapers - filed 05 January 2005

FOUR Army UH-1H Iroquois "Huey" helicopters from 5 Aviation Regiment have arrived in Indonesia, to provide humanitarian assistance to isolated tsunami devastated areas of Sumatra.

The detachment of 47 personnel deployed to the primary forward operating base in Medan as part of the Australian Government's response to the tsunami disaster.

Commander of 16 Aviation Brigade Brigadier Tony Fraser said its expected the helicopters will be tasked with casualty evacuation as well as deploying specialist teams and humanitarian aid forward to isolated areas that are currently inaccessible.

"For us the Iroquois, with its relatively low rotor downwash compared to some of our other helicopters, can operate in areas where there is debris and in close proximity to structures with the least risk to people on the ground.

"Our soldiers are most keen to utilise their professional skills to assist the people of Sumatra who have suffered such a terrible tragedy," he said.

Australian Army Iroquois helicopters have in the past been deployed to a number of regional neighbours to undertake humanitarian assistance, including the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Bougainville.

Commanding Officer of 5 Aviation Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Brett Greenland said the helicopters are ready to provide assistance to Banda Aceh.

"These are the same fellows that have deployed to the Solomon Islands, so they are quite use to short-notice deployments.

"The regiment is always on a short readiness notice, to respond to whatever activities we're asked to undertake, and in this case it's the tsunami."

UH-1H Iroquois "Heuy" helicopter tabulated data:

• Crew: 2 pilots, 1-2 loadmasters,
• Passengers: 9 seated or 6 stretchered
• Cruise Speed: 185 km/hr
• Endurance: 150 minutes
• Range: 320km