Chinooks To Deploy To Afghanistan, Just FYI

[Brendan Cowan]

Minister for Defence Media Mail List
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Tuesday 10 January, 2006
001/2006

CHINOOKS TO DEPLOY TO AFGHANISTAN

An Australian Defence Force element made up of two Chinook helicopters and about
110 personnel will soon be deployed to Afghanistan as part of Australia's
continuing commitment to the fight against terrorism, Defence Minister Robert
Hill announced today.
Senator Hill said the helicopter capability will provide additional aero-medical
evacuation and air mobility support to Australia's Special Forces Task Group in
conjunction with support from Coalition forces.
The Chinook team will form part of the Combined Forces Command in Afghanistan
and will be in addition to 190 personnel currently deployed to Afghanistan as
part of the Special Forces Task Group.
The helicopters are currently undergoing a $25 million upgrade to ensure they
are combat ready to be deployed in February. They are expected to be fully
operational by late March and will remain in Afghanistan for the balance of the
Special Forces' deployment that will conclude in September.
Senator Hill said that in the event of an Australian Provincial Reconstruction
Team being deployed, the aircraft deployment could be extended until late
November.
The Government has given in-principle agreement to send an Australian Provincial
Reconstruction Team (PRT) to Afghanistan this year. The exact role and
composition of Australia's PRT has not yet been decided as NATO is still
determining the details of phase three of the International Security Assistance
Force (ISAF) expansion into Southern Afghanistan.
The Chinooks will be drawn from the aviation element made up of six Chinooks
currently based in Townsville, Queensland. The aircraft are used for
transporting troops, heavy lift of equipment and supplies and medical
evacuation.
The $25 million upgrade is part of a rapid acquisition project to provide the
aircraft with enhanced Electronic Warfare Self Protection equipment, additional
crew and passenger protection and advanced communications.
"This equipment will improve the safety and survivability of the aircraft, as
well as their ability to work closely with Coalition forces," Senator Hill said.
"There is a real need for rotary transport capabilities in Afghanistan and I am
pleased that Australia is now able to make a further contribution to help build
a stable and secure Afghanistan and effectively combat threats of terrorism.
"Afghanistan has made significant progress since its liberation from the Taliban
and it is important that the international community continues to work together
with the Afghan Government to ensure progress continues."
"The Chinooks will be equipped with an enhanced level of ballistic protection
against direct fire weapons, such as small arms fire, as well as advanced
communications equipment to operate with Coalition partners. They will also be
fitted out for aero-medical evacuation and have improved gun mounts and will be
provided with increased situational awareness to operate in demanding flying
environments.
"This upgrade will ensure they are equipped with the necessary protection and
latest technology to be safely deployed to Afghanistan," Senator Hill said.

Media Note:
Pool vision of Chinook operations will be fed to TV Networks at Parliament House
at 1200 hours Tuesday 10 January 2006.


Media contacts
Sascha Meldrum
(Senator Hill)
08 8237 7920
0409 034 241
Defence Media Liaison

02 6265 3343
0408 498 664

www.defence.gov.au

[darren.crick]

if anyone can ID the two in Afganistan it would be nice....

[Brendan Cowan]

A15-104 is definitely one of them.....

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[Brendan Cowan]

And again .....

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[Brendan Cowan]

Can't make out the other one - but notice the new countermeasures kit at rear....


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[Brendan Cowan]

Got it the other is A15-202.

It has the name Centaur above the port crew entry door.

:D

BC

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[Rod Farquhar]

The anti missile gear is a version of the AN/ALE 47 system that is just starting to appear on our Orions, it is tailored specifically for rotary wing aircraft. Do a google search for AN/ALE 47 and you will come up with a whole raft of info.
Rod. :)

[Brendan Cowan]

Well spotted Rod! B) BC