Australia is stepping in to reinforce the rotary wing aviation assets available to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in southern Afghanistan.
A detachment of two Boeing CH-47D Chinooks from C Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment, Townsville, deployed to Kandahar Air Field this weekend and should be fully operational by the beginning of March.
Tail number 106 being man-handled from the C-17 that flew the big transport helicopters to Kandahar Air Field.
The aviators, loadmasters and technicians from C Squadron, will be flying two Chinook aircraft in the southern Afghanistan province of Kandahar, thereby "significantly enhancing Australia's contribution to the coalition effort in Afghanistan," Australian defense support secretary Dr Mike Kelly said.
A British Sea King taxies by in the background as the second Australian Chinook awaits its turn for rotor reinstalment.
"Chinooks are among our most capable aircraft, and combined with the skill of the flight crew and technicians, the Task Group will provide a superior logistics support capability under extreme conditions in Afghanistan."
According to the Australian defense dept., the unit will be responsible for transport of coalition troops, heavy-lift of equipment and supplies, and medical evacuation.
Tail number 106 inside a temporary hangar at Kandahar Air Field, as engineers work to get the bird back to flying status. The Chinooks are redeploying as part of a rotational commitment to coalition forces in southern Afghanistan. This is the second time the CH-47s have been used by Australian forces in southern Afghanistan, with the aircraft receiving engine upgrades enhanced ballistic protection and advanced comms equipment plus undergoing deep maintenance since the last rotation ended in April 2007.
A Russian-built Ilysuhin Il-76 cargo plane provides a backdrop for this Australian CH-47 at Kandahar. Photos: Australian Defense Dept. The Chinooks have a lift capability of 11.7 tonnes, carrying internal or external loads, or up to 30 troops (more in emergencies).
Because of its inherent power and load lifting capability, also in hot and high conditions, the Chinook is described by senior ISAF officers as the most suitable helicopter type for the operation.
Shame on those countries that have them but will not provide them. Spain, Italy and Greece are all Chinook operators but refuse to send them. Germany has big CH-53G Stallions but confines them to the northern part - the 5 out of the 90 or so operational ones. Even if one disagrees with the operation (never mind it is a UN sanctioned, NATO article 5 mission), out of sheer European solidarity should've come some support as is shown by the Belgian and Norwegian F-16 operators who will replace Dutch ones in the south. Proof that the European Union still is a paper tiger.