5th Aviation Regiment (Australia)

5th Aviation Regiment
A S-70A Black Hawk and a CH-47D Chinook from the 5th Aviation Regiment, operating on US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) during Exercise Talisman Saber, 2005.
Active	1987 – Present
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Aviation
Role	Transport
Part of	16th (Aviation) Brigade
Garrison/HQ	RAAF Base Townsville, Townsville
Engagements	Cambodia East Timor Iraq Afghanistan
Decorations	Meritorious Unit Citation
Commanders
Notable commanders	Angus Houston
Aircraft flown
Transport	CH-47F Chinook MRH-90

The 5th Aviation Regiment (5 Avn Regt) is an Australian Army aviation unit. Formed in 1987 after the Army took over responsibility for operating helicopters from the Royal Australian Air Force, the regiment is based at RAAF Base Townsville, in Queensland. It currently forms part of the 16th (Aviation) Brigade and it operates the majority of the Army's transport helicopters. Throughout its existence, the regiment has been deployed overseas numerous times, supporting both peacekeeping and warlike operations. Since its formation elements of the regiment have made operational deployments to Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Iraq, Indonesia and Pakistan.

The 5th Aviation Regiment was formed at Townsville, Queensland, on 20 November 1987 to operate the S-70A-9 Black Hawk and UH-1 Iroquois helicopters which had previously been operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) following the decision to transfer these assets to the Australian Army. In 1989, No. 9 Squadron RAAF (S-70A) became the regiment's 'A' Squadron and No. 35 Squadron RAAF (UH-1) became 'B' Squadron. 'B' Squadron was later re-equipped with Black Hawks. The regiment was subsequently expanded in 1995 when 'C' Squadron was formed to operate CH-47 Chinook and UH-1 Iroquois helicopters (the later in the aerial fire support role).

In May 1993 six Black Hawks and 109 personnel from 'B' Squadron were deployed to Battambang airport in north-west Cambodia, forming the Army Aviation Group deployed in support of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in that country. The aircraft were painted in UN white and fitted with armour plating and door mounted machine-guns for the operation due to the threat of ground fire. They were subsequently used to resupply UN positions along the Thai-Laos border, as well as the transportation of electoral officials and ballot boxes, and for aeromedical evacuation. The helicopters were fired on at least three times, with one receiving minor damage from small arms fire. They returned to Townsville in July 1993.