Minister of Defence Materiel - Australia’s military history preserved

A piece of Australia’s recent military history will be preserved when a CH-47D Model Chinook which saw service in Afghanistan is transferred to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra today.

It is one of three D-model Chinooks that will be transferred to Australian museums with the others going to the Australian Army Flying Museum at Oakey, Queensland and the RAAF Museum at Point Cook, Victoria.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said it was important to preserve Australia’s military history.

“Australians have an enormous respect for their countrymen and women who have served us with incredible distinction,” Mr Tehan said.

“By preserving our military history, such as today’s transfer of Chinook A15-202, we honour that service and encourage people to learn more about the role of our armed services.

“The Chinook helicopter donated to the Australian War Memorial gave excellent service, including numerous humanitarian missions. It was one of the first aircraft deployed into Afghanistan and saw service on four rotations, or 513 days.”

The fleet of CH-47D Chinooks were withdrawn from service in 2015 and 2016 and have been replaced by the CH-47F Chinooks. The new CH-47F consists of seven advanced, tandem rotor, medium lift helicopters which were all delivered in 2015.

As part of the transfer ceremony, two Chinook Medium Lift Helicopters will fly over Canberra today starting at 9.35am at Australian Defence Force Academy, Royal Military College and Russell, 9.45am over Old Parliament House, 9.55am over New Parliament House, 10.05am over the Australian War Memorial then landing at 11.10am at Exhibition Park in Canberra.

Media note:

Further historical information can be found at: http://www.defence.gov.au/casg/Multimedia/Points_on_CH-9-7560.pdf

Imagery will be available through the Defence Image Library: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20160689  

Media Contacts:

Byron Vale (Minister Tehan’s Office) 0428 262 894

Defence Media (02) 6127 1999