Khaki and Blue. The Army’s 6th Aviation Regiment.

The duties of the Australian Army can sometimes be button-holed into the khaki and camouflage associated with its predominantly ground role. Yet within its ranks is a thriving, long established aviation branch that has conducted operations in various theatres around the globe in times of both war and peace.

Today the ‘sixth’ is one of three rotary wing aviation regiments, although the likes of the Pilatus Porter, GAF Nomad and Cessna 180 are just a few of the fixed wing types that have proudly served Army Aviation in years gone by. The regiment is currently under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Scott Watkins and is comprised of three units, the 171st, 173rd aviation squadrons and ‘Support Squadron’. The Holsworthy flight-line is comprised of a mix of Sikorsky S70 Blackhawks and Bell 206 Kiowas and just as their airframes differ, so do the roles performed by the squadrons; from advanced training to specialised support of the Special Forces. And yet it is equally apparent by the interaction of those going about their duties that each respects the role of the other and appreciates that they serve under a common banner.

Consisting of 350 personnel, the 6th Army Aviation Regiment is far smaller than the Townsville-based ‘5th’, but boasts an impressive 5,000 hours of operational flight time each year between the two squadrons. This is of further significance when one considers that around a quarter of their operations are conducted at night and often in formation at low-level. This is very challenging flying in anyone’s language.

“This is very challenging flying in anyone’s language.”

From the Ground Up.

Before the first rotor can turn, a great deal of skill, effort and co-ordination must take place at ground level. The task of providing the necessary resources for the Blackhawks and Kiowas to take to the skies falls upon the regiment’s ‘Support Squadron’. While the pilots and the helicopters often steal the show in the broader community, those same crews are the first to recognise the crucial role undertaken by the Support Squadron.

The most obvious task is may seem to be providing maintenance for the helicopters, but in fact this is only one aspect of a far broader spectrum. In fact, while the squadron maintains the Blackhawks, the majority of the actual maintenance on the Kiowas is carried out by Boeing. However, the task of scheduling ongoing and major maintenance programs is an exercise in fluid dynamics. Warrant Officer Warren Spires is one of the senior men tasked with ensuring that the maintenance program runs smoothly and explains that it is a juggling act of biasing the flying hours between airframes so that they don’t all fall due for major maintenance at the same time. Interspersed amongst scheduled maintenance is the unforeseen and upgrades of existing systems, such as the ‘counter-measures’ on the Blackhawk used to combat potential attacks.

The ground crews are qualified to maintain both types of helicopter in addition to a variety of other tasks aside from the direct aircraft support. There is life-support equipment, night-vision goggles (NVG), refuelling, motor vehicles and all manner of other duties. Around the clock a Forward Repair team (FRT) is available to go into the field and attend to any of the regiment’s helicopters that may have issues away from base. The crews support their aircraft on major exercises and routinely have ‘shake-out’ exercises where they work on the helicopters beyond the confines of the hangars and computer support, armed only with tools and tarpaulins.

As Spires surveys the line of Blackhawk helicopters in their individual hangars, he points out the specialised pallets used to transport the Blackhawks in the rear of the RAAF’s C-17 Globemasters. Three of the Sikorsky helicopters can be partially dismantled and ferried aboard the Globemasters and be ready to fly again within 24 hours of arriving at their destination. Considering the size of the Blackhawk, it is an impressive effort and offers a tremendous operational range for the Blackhawks in a minimum of time.

Warrant Officer Spires is proud of the work of Support Squadron, but perhaps the greatest compliments flow from the squadrons that fly the machines and rely upon the efforts of Spires and his troops. The praise forthcoming from 171 and 173 Squadrons is testimony to the tremendous work of the soldiers behind the scenes.

At the Ready.

173 Squadron utilises eight Bell Kiowa light utility helicopters in a broad range of tasks. With the Army poised to introduce the MRH-90 and ARH Tiger helicopters over the coming years, it is imperative that the flow of trained pilots continues in the interim to avoid any potential trough in the availability of pilots to fly them. As these pilots continue to graduate from the School of Army Aviation at Oakey, a primary task of 173 Squadron is to provide advanced operational training and exposure. It is a task that the squadron is ideally suited for.

As the Commanding Officer, Major Tim Frankel, described the type of operations the Kiowas and its pilots are employed in, one cannot help but be impressed by the diversity. Beside the Blackhawk the Kiowa may seem a light-weight, but in fact some of the avionics on board the Kiowa are a step ahead of its larger sibling. Aside from the ‘Command and Control’ and liaison duties traditionally performed by the Kiowa, 173 Squadron serves on a number of far-reaching fronts. When the Queensland floods struck in 2010-2011, it was 173 Squadron that formed the lead unit and actually had Blackhawks assigned to fly with it. And as the approaching fire season again begins to rear its threatening head, the Kiowas will again be the first squadron at the ready.

In many instances, the Kiowas provide the rotary wing element in the Army’s broader training, from serving as the ‘enemy’ squadron in major exercises to providing airborne battlefield support. The squadron gives the soldier on the ground first-hand experience to operations in conjunction with helicopters, while further enhancing the operational experience of its pilots and crews. A task central to the ongoing training of the pilots as they lead into other operational squadrons flying helicopters such as the Blackhawk and Chinook.

As an experienced Blackhawk pilot in his own right, Major Frankel knows first-hand what will be expected of his pilots when they move onto their subsequent postings. As such, much of his focus involves training to the ‘apex of operations’ such as multi-ship formations, low-level at night using Night Vision Goggles. A challenging task with relatively low-experience pilots, but vital in order to produce pilots of the quality needed in complex operations.

Special Operations.

Central to the formation of the 6th Aviation Regiment was the need for a dedicated Blackhawk squadron to support the Special Forces. 171 Squadron was assigned this task and currently operates under the command of Major Matt Williams. Most will be familiar with the high profile operations of the squadron in its role of descending into ANZ Stadium on NRL Grand Final Day, or flying overhead in a salute on ANZAC Day. However, it is its lesser publicised operations that constitutes its primary role.

Supporting the Special Forces calls for intricate operations across a broad range of environments. Day and Night. Urban, remote and maritime. Often the broader audience perceive the squadron as it is often portrayed as a so-called ‘anti-terrorist unit’, operating in an urban surrounding. This is a vast over-simplification and one that the mild-mannered Major Williams is quick to counter. In reality, the crews of 171 Squadron are trained in a broad but highly complex “skill set” that can then be applied to any number of scenarios and environments.

Their squadron’s Blackhawk helicopters are equipped with some interesting aerials and equipment, specific to their role, but at their heart they are the still the tremendous Sikorsky helicopter that has established a well-deserved reputation. Like the Kiowas, a relatively large proportion of operations are conducted in the challenging environment of the night sky. And surprisingly, like 173, many of the pilots are also newly graduated.

Major Williams explains that inducting newly graduated pilots into the squadron provides the benefit of growing the pilot’s capabilities whilst under the umbrella of the unit’s culture. They are progressively qualified to a higher level of operation in a measured and highly supervised training regime where appropriately experienced crews are assigned to the appropriate tasks.

Despite the hype that may sometimes be associated with the ‘Special Forces’ tag, the air about 171 Squadron and its Commanding Officer is one of calm, understated professionalism.

“The air about 171SQN… is one of calm, understated professionalism.”

A Sense of Culture.

Across the three squadrons of the 6th Aviation Regiment is a sense of mutual respect for the task performed by the other. 171 and 173 Squadrons are particularly glowing in their praise for the performance and reliability of the Support Squadron. Perhaps it stems from the fact that it is not an exceptionally large regiment. Whatever the reason, there is a strong and sincere culture emanating from the ranks at Holsworthy and a genuine sense of pride.

They are generous in the praise of the efforts of their fellow aviators who are currently deployed overseas in harm’s way. However, they are also proud of the significant contribution at home by squadrons such as their own that provide an ongoing level of security against potential threats and the worst nature can throw at them. Through their ongoing training and commitment they are ready to respond a broad range of unforeseen events at a moment’s notice.

While the flying operations call for immense skill in a range of challenging environments, the squadrons reflect a feel of craftsmanship borne of thorough preparation and precise execution. The flying operations would undoubtedly be exciting, and yet there is no sense of excitement. Rather there is a sense of calm. Both commanding officers speaking with pride of the high proportion of dual flying and checking and training that their pilots receive. Their encouragement of open and honest reporting of safety issues and the attention to de-briefing all aspects of their operations in search of an even better execution next time around. And on reflection, this all makes very good sense.

These squadrons are conducting highly complex operations with reduced margins for error by civilian flying standards. To ensure the successful outcome of their mission and the safety of their crews and aircraft, thorough planning and precise execution is imperative. This can only be achieved by an ingrained culture across all of its personnel, it is not something that can be briefed as a ‘one-off’ prior to a sortie. As these squadrons show, safety and professionalism is an underlying, ongoing commitment.

Khaki and Blue.

Outside the modern headquarters of the 6th Aviation Regiment sits the rotor-head of a Blackhawk helicopter. It is topped with the regiment’s crest and surrounded by a small sandstone wall bearing a plaque which simply states their motto; “Valour”. Nearby, there are names on a wall of those who have fallen in service with the squadrons and it is a sombre reminder of what these crews place at stake in the conduct of operations.

Luscombe Army Airfield may lie on the city’s outskirts, away from plain view, but what takes place there should not be overlooked. It is home to a group of professionals involved in very challenging aviation operations. The Army may be seen as a land-borne service, but for those involved in Army Aviation, the sky is equally their home. In the midst of green camouflage and brown dusty fields, for the members of the 6th Aviation Regiment it is more a case of khaki and blue.

(c) Owen Zupp.
December 2012