HMAS Adelaide in first of class Chinook flight trials

Royal Australian Navy’s landing helicopter dock HMAS Adelaide has been working in Tasmanian waters to conduct cold weather aspects of the first of class flight trials for the ‘big birds’ of the Army – the new Chinook CH-47F.

The trials are critical for the safe operation of helicopters on board the amphibious giant.

Lieutenant Tammielee Hunter, a MH-90 pilot with 808 Squadron said the embarked flight on Adelaide has been working closely with their Army colleagues.

“It’s a complex and difficult environment in which to work and the professionalism and skills of the army pilots is highly impressive,” she said.

HMAS Adelaide is in Hobart after having competed the training in Tasmanian challenging climatic conditions.

Commanding Officer Captain Paul Mandziy said Adelaide was effectively a floating city.

“We have members of all three services embarked and our recent CH-47F trials demonstrate our strengthened capabilities which will be ready to be put to use in any operational, disaster relief or humanitarian tasking in the future,” he said.

“These ships are amongst the most capable air-land-sea amphibious systems in the world, and I am delighted to command Adelaide and to work closely with the Army and Air Force in the pursuit of common Australian Defence Force goals.”

According to the Royal Australian Navy, Adelaide will soon travel north to conduct hot weather aspects of the Chinook trials.