173rd Aviation Squadron (Australia)
| 173rd Aviation Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1974–present |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Australian Army |
| Type | Aviation |
| Role | Provide aviation support to special operations |
| Size | One squadron |
| Part of | 6th Aviation Regiment |
| Garrison/HQ | Holsworthy Barracks |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Helicopter | S70A Blackhawk |
The 173rd Aviation Squadron is an Australian Army helicopter squadron equipped with S70A Black Hawk helicopters and provides support to the Special Operations Command. The Squadron is based at Luscombe Airfield, Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney and forms part of the 6th Aviation Regiment.
The Squadron originally operated fixed-wing aircraft designated as the 173rd General Support Squadron and was later renamed the 173rd Surveillance Squadron. In 2010, the Squadron was re-designated as 173rd Aviation Squadron when it transitioned to rotary aircraft.
On 17 February 1974, the 173rd General Support Squadron was formed as part of the 1st Aviation Regiment based at Oakey and initially operated 6 Pilatus PC-6 Porters. In 1978, the Squadron also received 11 GAF Nomad aircraft. During this time, the Squadron undertook a variety of Army co-operation roles utilising the short take-off and landing characteristics of its aircraft. These included: artillery spotting, troop transport, field resupply, medevac, ground-air liaison. It was also used for survey work in the South Pacific and flood relief in Australia. In 1978, the Squadron was involved in Operation Cenderawasih a mapping program in Irian Jaya in Indonesia with the Indonesian Army.
With the retirement of the Porters in October 1992, the following year the Squadron adopted the title of "173rd Surveillance Squadron" under this guise it undertook the aerial surveillance and survey roles and was also used as a vehicle to deliver parachute troops. In 1993, it acquired 12 more Nomads, mainly unsold civilian variants which had been kept in storage, to replace the Porters.
In August 1995, following the fatal crashes involving Nomads from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the School of Army Aviation, the aircraft were withdrawn from service. Most of the Nomad fleet was sold to the Indonesian Navy but two were retained as unflyable training aids.
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