In Active Service

Number 12 Squadron, based at Amberley, operates the CH-47C Chinook helicopter which has, since its introduction in 1974, proved its worth by rescuing a number of downed aircraft which would otherwise have been too difficult to move for repair. The twin tandem-rotor Chinook is the largest helicopter in Australia.

Iroquois Squadrons

Both 5 and 9 Squadrons trace their origin to Number 101 (Fleet Co-operation) Flight which was formed in 1925. After firstly being temporarily renamed 5 Squadron, the unit finally became known as Number 9 Squadron in 1939. During the Second World War, 9 Squadron became involved in cooperative work with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy. In 1939, Number 5 Squadron became an army co-operation squadron based at Laverton, Victoria, and had been equipped with Wirraway aircraft. Number 5 Squadron was disbanded in 1946, while 9 Squadron had suffered a similar fate earlier in 1944. In June 1962, Number 9 Squadron was re-formed and equipped with the new Bell UH-18 Iroquois helicopters, and based at Fairbairn, ACT. Number 5 Squadron was re-formed with Iroquois in 1964, and originally operated from RAAF Butterworth, Malaysia. In 1966 9 Squadron was assigned to duties in South Vietnam, and, as a result, Number 5 Squadron was withdrawn from Butterworth to Fairbairn. After almost six years in Vietnam, Number 9 Squadron returned to Australia at Christmas 1971, and was to be based at Amberley.

Number 35 Squadron was, until 1978, a DHC Caribou Squadron, after being formed in Vietnam in 1964. In 1978 the Squadron was relocated to Townsville, where its Caribou strength was supplemented by four Iroquois helicopters.

Roles

Number 5 Squadron is primarily responsible for training all helicopter pilots for the RAAF and RAN. It is also involved in army support work and civil (national commitment) work. Additionally, the squadron maintains Search and Rescue (SAR) Flight helicopters at RAAF bases which operate single-engined jet aircraft.

Number 9 Squadron is also an army support unit. In addition to normal support, 9 Squadron can operate a number of its 13 helicopters as gunships, carrying an assortment of machine guns, rockets and mini-guns. Like 5 Squadron, Number 9 is a self-contained unit, having its own maintenance section. Number 35 Squadron is involved in support of No 3 Task Force based at Townsville, and its Iroquois serve much the same function as 9 Squadron. In general, 5 Squadron tends to support the army in the southern regions, and 9 and 35, in the northern regions.

The Bell Iroquois

The RAAF Iroquois squadrons now operate two versions of the helicopter – the UH-1B and the UH-1H (Bravo and Hotel) models. After originally being equipped with the “Bravo”, the RAAF began re-equipping with the higher-powered and roomier “Hotel” in 1968. A number of “Delta” models were also acquired by the RAAF and were later updated to the “Hotel” standard. The ADF has operated 24 “Bravos”, 8 “Deltas”, and 24 “Hotels”, of which about 45 are still serving.

The Iroquois is powered by a Lycoming T-53 turboshaft engine, giving a maximum speed of 113 knots and a range of approximately 200 nautical miles. Normally crewed by a pilot, co-pilot, crewman and gunner, the Iroquois can carry 11 fully equipped troops or six stretcher patients. An external cargo hook can be used to carry large loads· under the helicopter. A rescue hoist is often used for the recovery of personnel from sites unsuitable for a normal landing, such as dense jungles or ship decks. A relatively new method of troop despatch is ”rappelling”, where up to six soldiers slide simultaneously down ropes to the ground, leaving the helicopter in a vulnerable position for only a minimal time. The Iroquois can be fitted with floats for water operations.

Vietnam

The Vietnam conflict is sometimes referred to as the “helicopter war”. In such conflicts, the helicopter is in its own element. Basically, a helicopter can only operate effectively in unopposed airspace, and become a mobile weapon, an aerial observation post, and a fast tactical troop transport. The Iroquois provided the AAAF with a capability that broadened its troop support operations immensely. 9 Squadron Iroquois were first used in Vietnam for troop transportation (slicks), and medical evacuation (medevac or dust-off). Medevac helicopters established a reputation for having a casualty on the operating table within 20 minutes of being wounded. “Slick” Iroquois were usually fitted with two door-mounted M60 machine guns for self-protection. The need for a more heavily armed machine soon became apparent, and 9 Squadron began to fit some of its Iroquois with gunship kits which were acquired from the American Army. The kits consisted of two six-barrel 7. 62 mm rapid-fire “mini-guns”, two seven-tube rocket launchers, and two sets of door-mounted twin M60 machine guns. Gunsights were also fitted in the cockpits for aiming the mini-guns and rockets. The RAAF gunships were known as “Bushrangers” with their home base at Vung Tau bearing the callsign “Ned Kelly”. The “Bushrangers” were used for escorting “slick” and “dust-off” Iroquois, and also in a minor offensive role.

Today, 9 Squadron is still operating “Bushrangers” alongside its other versions, but tactics have changed somewhat since Vietnam. Rather than transmitting at relatively high altitudes, training now centres on tree-top flying aimed to present little or no target to ground fire. Precise flying is necessary, as Iroquois are required to fly into primitive cleared sites at night, often guided only by torchlight, or perhaps the headlights of a vehicle. The crewman and gunner are a very important part of the team which flies these indispensable aircraft.

RAAF Iroquois are often called upon by the civil community to assist in search and rescue, flood and bushfire relief, and medical evacuation tasks around the country. Numerous Australians owe their lives to the noisy machines that have plucked them from the rising floodwaters, from a wrecked ship or from the inhospitable bush. Iroquois were recently involved in United Nations work as part of the UN monitoring forces in Egypt, patrolling the then volatile Israeli-Egyptian border. In 16 years, the Iroquois has shown itself to be one of the most useful and versatile RAAF aircraft.

Number 12 Squadron

Number 12 Squadron was formed in 1939 with Avro Anson and Hawker Demon aircraft, and after partially re-equipping with Wirraways, was moved to Darwin, NT. In 1942 the Wirraways were replaced with Vultee Vengeance dive bombers, which were in turn replaced by Liberators in 1945. In July, 1Q47, the Liberators were replaced by GAF Lincolns, but in 1948 the squadron was disbanded. In 1973 12 Squadron was reformed at Amberley, Queensland, and was to operate the newly ordered Boeing Vertol CH-47C Chinook twin rotor helicopter, 12 of which arrived from America in March 1974, after being shipped across the Pacific on HMAS Melbourne. 12 Squadron is a self-contained unit, having its own maintenance facility.

Role

Number 12 Squadron Chinooks are largely involved in army co-operation work, and the helicopter’s large carrying capacity makes them ideal for this task. The Chinook was the first large helicopter to have a ramp-type rear loading door, enabling quick loading and unloading of cargo. The rear door also enables the Chinook to be used for paratroopers, and a facility for a static line is incorporated. Two smaller side entrance doors are located at the front of the cabin. Rescue winching can be effected without difficulty through a central floor hatch. An external load, which can be carried on the huge cargo hook, is monitored by the crewman through the hatch. Like the Iroquois, the Chinook is often called upon for civil aid work. 12 Squadron now operates only eight of its original twelve Chinooks, the remaining four being held in storage.

The CH-47C Chinook

The Chinook is powered by two Lycoming T-55 turboshafts mounted externally at the rear of the helicopter, and driving both three-bladed rotors. The transmission system is designed so that the aircraft can be flown on one engine. The two rotors intermesh, and a synchronisation system prevents the rotors from striking each other. The Chinook has a maximum speed of 175 knots, significantly faster than the Iroquois, and can carry an external load of an incredible 20,000 lbs. Thirty-three fully-equipped troops can be carried, or alternatively twenty-four litters. A normal crew is four, consisting of two pilots and two crewmen.

The Chinook has six wheels, two on each front leg and one on each rear. Taxiing on the ground is negotiated with the rear wheels on the ground. One of the rear wheels is steerable, and the other wheel castors freely. In addition to normal land operations, the Chinook has the useful capability of being able to “land” on water, the bottom of the helicopter acting as a hull and the wheels fully submerging. However, special servicing is usually required after water operations.

An outstanding feature of the Chinook is the obvious thought that has gone into the design, with simplicity being evident throughout. One drawback is the unusually high noise level in ‘the cabin, being greater than 120 dB. Accordingly, ear protectors must be worn during flight in order to avoid permanent ear damage.

The powerful Chinook usually works with the Army up and down the east coast of Australia, although some missions take them as far north as New Guinea and Malaysia. Field guns, trucks, ammunition and fuel are often transported, suspended from the large cargo hook under the fuselage. Personnel can be winched from the ground through a floor hatch, and the same winch can be used to drag heavy cargo into the tubular fuselage when loading. If the helicopter was to be usea in a front-line battle zone, machine guns could be fitted to the front doors and rear ramp door.

The “Chook” is extremely popular with 12 Squadron crews. Before being transferred to the big twin-rotor machines, pilots must complete an Iroquois conversion course at Number 5 Squadron. Since its introduction the Chinook has often been used to “rescue” downed aircraft. The first such rescue involved the recovery of a RAN Wessex helicopter which had crash-landed. Since that time, 12 Squadron has recovered Iroquois, additional Wessex, Tracker, and even a Caribou which crash-landed on a New Guinea highland airstrip 5000 feet above sea level. On another occasion, a Chinook demonstrated its amazing lift capability by carrying a damaged Chinook! The Grumman Trackers which survived the Nowra hangar fire were transported for repair by Chinook. The civil community have also benefited. A gearing system was fitted to a lighthouse by Chinook. A 5½ tonne 30-metre power pole was positioned in a 70 cm hole by Chinook. More recently RAAF Chinook completed the longest flight ever undertaken by an Australian helicopter, and the longest ever Chinook flight, when it flew on an 8000 nm round trip to Malaysia to recover a Royal Malaysian Air Force S-61 “Nuri” helicopter. In 1974, the Chinooks with spares and support facilities cost $37 million, which was $37 million well spent.

Two Outstanding Helicopters

The RAAF Iroquois and Chinooks are both ideally suited to their roles. In addition to their vital military function, the RAAF helicopters offer an invaluable and much-appreciated service to the community and will continue to do so in years to come.

Next Issue Tony Self Visits Raaf Williamtown For A Report On The Operation Of Our Mirage Squadrons.