Fourays - The Australian Army Aviation Association Inc



The 5th Aviation Regiment is located at RAAF Base Townsville, in the city of Townsville, Queensland. The role of the Regiment is to provide aviation tactical assault, air mobility and operational support to the land and special forces in the defence of Australia's security interests. The unit consists of officers and soldiers who operate, maintain and support the aviation capability of the Regiment. The 5th Aviation Regiment came into being as a result of the decision taken on 20 November 1986 to transfer responsibility for the operation of all battlefield helicopters from the Royal Australian Air Force to the Australian Army. Twelve months later, the Regiment was raised onto the Army’s Order of Battle as a direct command unit of Land Headquarters. A small group consisting of the Regimental Headquarters and Workshop was formed at RAAF Base Townsville on the 18 January 1988 and the Regiment then commenced its five year plan to develop an operational capability in accordance with the Land Command Directive. At the end of that five year implementation plan, the Regiment demonstrated that it had achieved an operational capability by lifting an Infantry Company Group with Blackhawk helicopters. A Squadron was raised on February 1989 from elements of No 9 Squadron RAAF and is equipped with Blackhawk helicopters. Initially an Airmobile Squadron, A Squadron has evolved to the point where it is now classed as a Special Operations Squadron supporting Australian Army Special Operations forces. A Squadron, however, is still capable of supporting normal airmobile operations and associated tasks if required to do so.



B Squadron was raised on 6 December 1989 from elements of No 35 Squadron RAAF and was originally equipped with UH-1H Iroquois helicopters. It was progressively re-equipped with Blackhawk helicopters during the latter half of 1990. B Squadron's role is to support airmobile operations primarily to the Rapid Deployment Force. C Squadron was raised into the Regiment on 30 June 1995 and was initially equipped with the Iroquois gunship and the newly purchased Chinook CH47D. C Squadron was divided into two distinct flying troops, Aerial Fire Support Troop (Iroquois) and Medium Lift Troop (Chinook). On 11 December 1998, the entire Aerial Fire Support Troop was farewelled from C Squadron, and the Regiment, and transferred for duty to the 1st Aviation Regiment. C Squadron now operates entirely utilising the Chinook helicopters and provides a medium lift capability to support airmobile operations and associated tasks.



Today, the Regiment consists of the 3 flying squadrons as well as Regiment Headquarters, a Headquarters Squadron and a Technical Support Squadron (Regiment Workshop). Headquarters Squadron supports all Regiment activities through the provision of services such as transport, stores and equipment, catering, petrol operations and medical. The Technical Support Squadron provides deeper level maintenance of all the aircraft in the 5th Aviation Regiment fleet. Regiment Headquarters in outlined below. Regiment Headquarters The Regiment is lead by the Commanding Officer who is aided by the Regiment Sergeant Major, the senior soldier of the unit. The Regiment also has a Second in Command, and the Commanding Officer's personal staff officer is the Adjutant. Many other staff members work together to assist the Commanding Officer in the commanding and management of the 5th Aviation Regiment. Regiment Headquarters is responsible for commanding, coordinating and supporting the operations of the 5 individual squadrons. It does this by providing the following functions: Clerical/Administration Support. Regiment Headquarters coordinates all clerical functions and the administration of the members of the Regiment. Intelligence Support. Regiment Headquarters provides the Regiment with intelligence on the areas in which operations are being conducted. Operations and Training Support. Regiment Headquarters coordinates the operations, exercises and other tasks that the Regiment must perform and ensures that members are adequately trained. Communications Support. Communications must be provided for the Regiment both in barracks and in the field. Safety and Standards. Regiment Headquarters must ensure flying and ground safety within the Regiment is monitored and maintained to reduce injury. Flying procedures and standardisation must also be monitored and disseminated throughout the Regiment. Technical Support. Regiment Headquarters must ensure the technical aspects of the unit's capability development are managed so the Regiment can continue to fulfil its role.