Speedy delivery Australian Army CH-47F Chinooks
On 7 July 2021, the first two of four additional Boeing CH-47F Chinook transport helicopters were delivered to the Australian Army at Townsville (Qld.)/Garbut Barracks.
The Chinooks were carried aboard a US Air Force C-5M Galaxy. The third and fourth examples are expected to be delivered by middle of 2022.
Only two months back, the US State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Australia of four CH-47F Chinook helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 259 million. See the Scramble Magazine news item of 30 April 2021.
Has the speedy delivery been made possible to divert US Army Chinooks from the production line? The CH-47Fs that were unloaded lack the Australian Army markings on the nose and the sponson.
Currently the Australian Army operates ten CH-47F Chinooks. These are based at Townsville (Qld.)/Garbut Barracks with C Squadron/5th Aviation Regiment.
Photo by Siobhan Heanue