6th Aviation Regiment (Australia)
| 6th Aviation Regiment | |
|---|---|
|
A 1st Commando Regiment soldier jumping from a 171st Aviation Squadron Blackhawk helicopter in 2013 | |
| Active | 2008–current |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Australian Army |
| Type | Aviation |
| Part of | 16th Aviation Brigade |
| Headquarters | Holsworthy Barracks |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Multirole helicopter | Sikorsky S-70 Blackhawk |
The 6th Aviation Regiment is one of the Australian Army's three Army Aviation regiments and was raised on 1 March 2008 to provide air mobility for the Australian Defence Force's special forces units.[1]
The 6th Aviation Regiment, equipped with S70A Blackhawk helicopters, forms part of the 16th Aviation Brigade and is headquartered at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney which was vacated by 161 Recce Squadron in 1995.[2][1][3][4]
History
In November 2009, the Australian Army transferred all fixed wing surveillance aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force.[3] 173 Surveillance Squadron subsequently re-equipped with the Kiowa Light Utility Helicopter and re-roled as an Advanced Training Squadron for future ARH Tiger and MRH-90 pilots with a name change to 173rd Aviation Squadron.[3] In 2013, the Squadron converted to Blackhawk helicopters.[3]
Structure
The regiment comprises:[1]
- 6th Aviation Regiment Headquarters (Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney, New South Wales)
- 171st Aviation Squadron
- 173rd Aviation Squadron
- Support Squadron
Operations
Notable operations include:
- Operation Queensland Flood Assist (2011 disaster assistance in South East Queensland)
- 2012 support to PNG elections
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 6th Aviation Regiment (Australia). |
- 1 2 3 "6th Aviation Regiment". Australian Army. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
- ↑ Gubler, Abraham (2008). "Army Aviation's New Decade of Growth". Asia Pacific Defence Reporter. 34 (5): 16–19.
- 1 2 3 4 "Army aviation in Australia 1970–2015 Factsheet" (PDF). Australian Army. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
- ↑ "6th Aviation Regiment". Aviation Association of WA Inc. (AAWA). Retrieved 31 July 2016.