New choppers give battalion’s skills a lift

UH-60M Black Hawks from 16 Avn Bde flew into Townsville recently to conduct training with soldiers from 1RAR. 

While the battalion has extensive experience working with CH-47F Chinooks from 5 Avn Regt, it was the first time it had worked with the new helicopters. 

The training focused on safety procedures, aircraft drills and mission planning in preparation for more complex exercises later this year. 

CO 1RAR Lt-Col Benedict Farrell said the exercise, in late March, was an important step in rebuilding the battalion’s air assault capability. 

“From a unit perspective this is really important for building competence and confidence with the aircraft,” Lt-Col Farrell said. 

“It’s exciting to work with these aircraft as it provides myself as the commander, and the soldiers, a different experience. 

“This training is extremely valuable for soldiers who have never worked with aircraft before. It gives them exposure to how the broader Army operates, and familiarises them with different capabilities.” 

Lt-Col Farrell said it was important to integrate different aviation capabilities into the battalion’s training program. 

“These exercises help junior soldiers and officers understand how aviation integrates with the ground force to achieve the mission,” he said. 

“Exposure to these aircraft assists junior leaders in understanding how the employment of aviation supports the execution of combined arms operations. 

“This gives the unit the experience required to plan and execute air assault operations. 

“Both the Chinooks and Black Hawks give us versatile options for inserting and extracting troops, each offering distinct advantages that influence how we conduct mission planning and execution.” 

Training will expand to platoon-level manoeuvre, conducted by day and night, incorporating a range of tactical scenarios.