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Four CH-47F Chinook helicopters have been named by the 5th Aviation Regiment to celebrate the aircraft’s continued service and strong ties between Army and the First Nations peoples of the Townsville region.
From the growth of the fleet to 14 operating aircraft, the naming ceremony held earlier this month on 9 December marked a milestone for the capability.
Commanding Officer 5th Aviation Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Lean said the naming of the aircraft was a team effort.
“We received over 30 submissions for names from across the capability,” LTCOL Lean said.
“Simultaneously, we reached out to our Indigenous Elders to discuss using a name in the local Indigenous language.”
The four Chinooks were each given names that embody strength, skill and capability, further reflecting Army’s commitment to excellence.
The first aircraft, A15-311, was named “Capable” as a nod to 50 years of ADF operations.
The next aircraft, 312, was named “Chariot” – a historical reference to chariots as a military capability and transport; and aircraft 313 was named “Cunning” – in reference to skill and expertise.
A highlight of the ceremony was the naming of aircraft 314 as “Gadaragi”, a name given by the traditional owners of the land on which the 5th Aviation Regiment and 16th Aviation Brigade Headquarters sit – the Wulgurukaba people.
The word Gadaragi translates to “strong”, symbolising the powerful connection between Army and local First Nations communities, including the Bindal and Wulgurukaba peoples.
In addition to the naming ceremony, the CH-47F Chinook aircraft reached another significant milestone on 3 December, with the fleet surpassing 20,000 flying hours.
This achievement came during a routine maintenance check flight.
LTCOL Lean said reaching 20,000 hours was a testament to the commitment, professionalism and proficiency of the personnel responsible for maintaining and operating the Chinook fleet.
“Reaching this milestone reflects the dedication and expertise of the team,” he said.
“It also highlights the exceptional capabilities of the CH-47F Chinook, which continues to serve as an essential asset to the Australian Army.”
The naming ceremony and the 20,000-hour achievement marked another chapter in the ongoing legacy of the CH-47F Chinook fleet, which remains a cornerstone of Army Aviation operations in both domestic and international missions.
