1st Aviation Regiment (Australia) explained

Unit Name:1st Aviation Regiment
Dates:1966 – present
Country: Australia
Branch:Army
Type:Aviation
Role:Attack and reconnaissance
Size:Regiment
Command Structure:16th Aviation Brigade
Garrison:Robertson Barracks, Darwin
Motto:Alert
Mascot:Sergeant Penny Alert
(a peregrine falcon)
Identification Symbol Label:Unit colour patch

The 1st Aviation Regiment is one of the Australian Army's three Army Aviation regiments and provides aerial reconnaissance and fire support to the Australian Army. The 1st Aviation Regiment, equipped with Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters, forms part of the 16th Aviation Brigade and is based at Gaza Lines, Robertson Barracks, Darwin.[1]

History

The Regiment was formed on 26 April 1966 as the 1st Division Army Aviation Regiment and was re-designated the 1st Aviation Regiment on 31 March 1967.[1] [2] The regiment had historically operated a mix of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.[2] In late 2004, the regiment was re-organised for its new role to operate the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH).[1]

As part of this restructure, 171st Operational Support Squadron and 173rd Surveillance Squadron were placed as direct command units of the 16th Aviation Brigade.[1]

During 2005 and 2006, the regiment consolidated all of the remaining squadrons into one location for the first time, at Gaza Lines, in Darwin's Robertson Barracks.

The Tiger ARH reached its full operational capability on 18 April 2016 with minor caveats. This process took much longer than expected, due in part to the complexity of the helicopters and shortages of spare parts. The 2016 Defence White Paper stated that the Tigers would be retired early, and be replaced with different aircraft during the mid-2020s.[3]

On 15 January 2021, Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds announced that the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian had been selected for Project Land 4503 to replace the Tiger ARH.[4] [5] A fleet of 29 Apaches will be acquired with a planned initial operational capability of 12 helicopters in 2026 and full operational capability in 2028.[5] [6] [7] The Defense Strategic Review in April 2023 stated that coinciding with the introduction of the new Apache fleet, the regiment would be relocating to RAAF Base Townsville, where it would be based alongside C Squadron of the 5th Aviation Regiment who operate the CH-47F Chinook.[8] [9]

Current organisation

The regiment is currently organised as follows:[1]

Civil assistance and operations

Commanding Officers

Regimental Sergeant Majors

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1st Aviation Regiment. Australian Army. 19 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20200320224441/https://www.army.gov.au/our-people/units/forces-command/16th-aviation-brigade/1st-aviation-regiment . 20 March 2020 . dead.
  2. Web site: 1 Aviation Regiment. Fourays – The Australian Army Aviation Association. https://web.archive.org/web/20060713013118/http://www.fourays.org/aviation_units/1_avn_regt/1_avn_regt.htm. 13 July 2006.
  3. News: Army's Tiger ARH achieves FOC. 14 May 2016. Australian Aviation.
  4. Minister for Defence Senator Linda Reynolds. Future ready - strengthening Army's armed reconnaissance capability . Department of Defence Ministers. 15 January 2021 . 12 March 2021.
  5. News: Pittaway . Nigel . Australia selects Boeing Apache as next armed reconnaissance helicopter . Defense News . 19 January 2021. en-US. 2021-01-20.
  6. News: Apaches for Army. Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper. 1481. Department of Defence. Canberra. 0729-5685. 4 February 2021. 2. 23 March 2021.
  7. Prime Minister Scott Morrison . Minister for Defence Peter Dutton. Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price . Securing our national security and local defence jobs and skills . Liberal Party of Australia . 1 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220509013723/https://www.liberal.org.au/latest-news/2022/05/09/securing-our-national-security-and-local-defence-jobs-and-skills . 9 May 2022 . 9 May 2022 . dead.
  8. News: Pittway . Nigel . 25 May 2023 . Relocations as Apaches and Balck Hawks on way . The Australian . 28 May 2023.
  9. News: Pittaway . Nigel . Army to move battlefield helos from Townsville . 14 October 2023 . Australian Defence Magazine . 19 January 2023.

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