171st Special Operations Aviation Squadron

September 2026 October 2019 171st Special Operations Aviation Squadron Soldiers from the Australian Army 2nd Commando Regiment fast rope from an S-70A-9 Black Hawk from the Australian Army 171st Aviation Squadron during exercise Talisman Sabre 2015.jpg 300 Commandos from the 2nd Commando Regiment fast rope from a Black Hawk during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 2004–present Australia Australian Army Special operations aviation 6th Aviation Regiment Holsworthy Barracks UH-60M Black Hawkfn1 The 171st Special Operations Aviation Squadron (171 SOAS) is an Australian Army helicopter squadron that provides aviation support to the Special Operations Command. The squadron is being equipped with the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter.fn1 The Army received the first three UH-60Ms in August 2023 from an order of 40 UH-60Ms. The squadron is based at Luscombe Airfield, Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney and forms part of the 6th Aviation Regiment as the regiment's sole operational squadron.6th Aviation Regiment http://www.army.gov.au/Our-people/Units/Forces-Command/16th-Aviation-Brigade/6th-Aviation-Regiment Australian Army 16 May 2012 12 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160912102027/http://army.gov.au/Our-people/Units/Forces-Command/16th-Aviation-Brigade/6th-Aviation-Regiment deadPittaway Nigel Vigilance https://www.keymilitary.com/article/vigilance 10 January 2022 AirForces Monthly 359 Key Publishing 0955-7091 68 February 2018 Overview The squadron primarily supports the Tactical Assault Group, troop lift support is also provided to other Special Forces based at Holsworthy and Perth, and to other east coast and southern Australian based units.171st Aviation Squadron Relocation - Holsworthy Barracks NSW - Statement of Evidence to the Parliament Standing Committee on Public Works http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_representatives_Committees?url=pwc/holsworthy171/subs/sub1.pdf Department of Defence October 2005 30 July 2016 In March 1997, the Board of Inquiry into the Black Hawk Training Accident in June 1996 recommended that dedicated Army aviation assets be allocated in support of the counter terrorist and special operations capability and that the units be collocated during training, planning and the conduct of operations. History The 171st Special Operations Aviation Squadron traces its lineage back to the 161st Reconnaissance Flight which was formed in June 1965 based at RAAF Base Amberley.Unit History http://www.161recceflt.org.au/unithistory/unit_history.htm 161 Possums 3 August 2016 20 August 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060820060002/http://www.161recceflt.org.au/UnitHistory/unit_history.htm deadAustralian Army Flying Museum Army aviation in Australia 1970-2015 http://www.army.gov.au/~/media/Files/Our%20work/Community%20engagement/2015_02_AHQ_ArmyAviation_Factsheet.pdf Australian Army February 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20161008154311/http://www.army.gov.au/~/media/Files/Our%20work/Community%20engagement/2015_02_AHQ_ArmyAviation_Factsheet.pdf 8 October 2016 The Flight was part of the 16th Army Light Aircraft Squadron which in 1967 became the 1st Aviation Regiment.1 Aviation Regiment http://www.fourays.org/aviation_units/1_avn_regt/1_avn_regt.htm The Australian Army Aviation Association dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090622073338/http://www.fourays.org/aviation_units/1_avn_regt/1_avn_regt.htm 22 June 2009 The Flight served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1971 and during this period was renamed the 161st (Independent) Reconnaissance Flight. On return from Vietnam, the Flight was based at Oakey. On 31 January 1974, the Flight was re-designated as the "171st Operational Support Squadron" following a restructure of the 1st Aviation Regiment using the number from the disbanded 171st Air Cavalry Flight.1st Aviation Regiment http://www.fourays.org/aviation_units/1_avn_regt/1_avn_regt.htm The Australian Army Aviation Association dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060721171916/http://www.fourays.org/aviation_units/1_avn_regt/1_avn_regt.htm 21 July 2006 On 19 December 2002, the Prime Minister announced the creation of the Special Operations Command and that the government would accelerate the purchase of the MRH90 Taipan helicopters to enable a squadron of helicopters to be based in Sydney as a potent addition to the Tactical Assault Group East.Prime Minister John Howard Expansion of Special Forces Counter Terrorist Capability and new Special Operations Command http://www.pm.gov.au/news/media_releases/2002/media_release2043.htm Commonwealth of Australia 19 December 2002 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030223102647/http://www.pm.gov.au/news/media_releases/2002/media_release2043.htm 23 February 2003 Foxcroft Sgt. Sybelle Need a lift? Army looks to Europe for troop-lift carrier http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1105/topstories/story01.htm Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper 1105 9 September 2004 Department of Defence Canberra 0729-5685 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110322045539/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1105/topstories/story01.htm 22 March 2011 On 28 November 2004, 'A' Squadron of the 5th Aviation Regiment based at RAAF Base Townsville swapped designations with the 171st Operational Support Squadron.Black Hawk 221 Board of Inquiry Report of the Board of Inquiry into the deaths of Captain Mark Bingley and Trooper Joshua Porter following the loss of Army Black Hawk 221 on 29 November 2006 whilst deployed in HMAS Kanimbla for Operation Quickstep http://www.defence.gov.au/publications/coi/reports/bh221_boi_report.pdf Department of Defence 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20140709034226/http://defence.gov.au/Publications/COI/reports/bh221_boi_report.pdf 9 July 2014 dead5th Aviation Regiment http://www.army.gov.au/Our-people/Units/Forces-Command/16th-Aviation-Brigade/5th-Aviation-Regiment Australian Army 22 April 2014 4 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160804043901/http://www.army.gov.au/Our-people/Units/Forces-Command/16th-Aviation-Brigade/5th-Aviation-Regiment dead The squadron was equipped with the Sikorsky S-70A Black Hawk with the role of providing support to the Special Operations Command. The squadron separated from the 1st Aviation Regiment and was placed under the command of the 16th Aviation Brigade as an independent squadron and was re-designated as the "171st Aviation Squadron".1st Aviation Regiment http://www.army.gov.au/Our-people/Units/Forces-Command/16th-Aviation-Brigade/1st-Aviation-Regiment Australian Army 8 March 2012 8 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150608124339/http://www.army.gov.au/Our-people/Units/Forces-Command/16th-Aviation-Brigade/1st-Aviation-Regiment dead The squadron was commanded by a lieutenant colonel in addition to the conventional squadron commander of Major rank. In July 2005, Holsworthy Barracks was selected as the location in Sydney to relocate the squadron.Minister for Defence Senator Robert Hill Black Hawk helicopters to be based in Sydney http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Hilltpl.cfm?CurrentId=5017 Ministers for Defence 30 July 2005 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20051231080017/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Hilltpl.cfm?CurrentId=5017 31 December 2005 In December 2006, the squadron relocated to temporary facilities at Luscombe Airfield with the redevelopment of the airfield expected to be completed by late 2008.Aircrews fly high at new work site http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1160/topstories/story3.htm Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper 1160 22 February 2007 Department of Defence Canberra 0729-5685 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110404122517/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1160/topstories/story3.htm 4 April 2011 The squadron was involved in operations in East Timor as part of Operation Astute.Webster Flt-Lt Lauretta Choppers rotate in Timor-Leste http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1172/topstories/story1a.htm Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper 1172 9 August 2007 Department of Defence Canberra 0729-5685 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110404091550/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1172/topstories/story1a.htm 4 April 2011 On 29 November 2006, a Squadron Black Hawk helicopter crashed during Operation Quickstep while attached to HMAS Kanimbla off the coast of Fiji. The helicopter's pilot, Captain Mark Bingley, and Trooper Joshua Porter from the Special Air Service Regiment were killed in the crash.http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=7976 Report of the Board of Inquiry into the Crash of Black Hawk 221 Released Department of Defence 15 July 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080802192411/http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=7976 2 August 2008Two of our best lost in tragedy http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1158/topstories/story01.htm Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper 1158 14 December 2006 Department of Defence Canberra 0729-5685 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110321221626/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1158/topstories/story01.htm 21 March 2011 In March 2008, the squadron became part of the newly raised 6th Aviation Regiment following implementation of a recommendation from the Board of Inquiry into the Crash of Black Hawk 221 to raise a regiment.Gubler Abraham 2008 Army Aviation's New Decade of Growth Asia Pacific Defence Reporter 34 5 16–19 The squadron has been renamed the "171st Special Operations Aviation Squadron";Army ORBAT Structure https://defence.gov.au/FOI/Docs/Disclosures/274_2021_Documents.pdf Department of Defence Australian Army Freedom of Information 274/20/21 31 December 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20210730094259/https://www.defence.gov.au/FOI/Docs/Disclosures/274_2021_Documents.pdf 30 July 2021 deadAustralia Day 2020 Honours List https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-01/ad2020_gazette_dist_conspic.pdf The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia 10 January 2022 26 January 2020 it has had a new name from at least January 2020. Aircraft 220px|thumb|A Commando from 1st Commando Regiment jumping from a Black Hawk in 2013 The squadron is being equipped with the UH-60M Black Hawk. The squadron was equipped with the MRH90 Taipan an Australian variant of the NHI NH90.McLaughlin Andrew With a new Black Hawk on the way, the original is retired https://adbr.com.au/with-a-new-black-hawk-on-the-way-the-original-is-retired/ 11 January 2022 Australian Defence Business Review 10 December 2021 The 6th Aviation Regiment completed the transition from the S-70A-9 Black Hawk to the MRH90 in December 2021. The regiment was originally planned to have made the transition from the S-70A-9 Black Hawk to the MRH90 by December 2013 when the Black Hawk was scheduled to be retired from service.Kerr Julian Air: MRH90 Taipan – reaching for 2016 milestones http://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/air-mrh90-taipan-reaching-for-2016-milestones 5 October 2018 Australian Defence Magazine 1 February 2016Australian National Audit Office 2019–20 Major Projects Report - Department of Defence 2020 The Auditor-General Canberra 9781760336066 https://www.anao.gov.au/sites/default/files/Auditor-General_Report_2020-2021_19_PDSS_Multi-Role_Helicopter.pdf 18 December 2020 ANAO Report No.19 2020–21 Multi-Role Helicopter Project Data Summary Sheet The MRH90 program encountered significant problems, and in particular, the NH90 had not been operated in a dedicated special operations role. In December 2015, Jane's Defence Weekly reported that the Chief of Army had delayed the retirement of the Black Hawk until the end of 2021.Kerr Julian http://www.janes.com/article/56386/australian-army-to-extend-black-hawk-service-lives-for-special-forces-use Australian Army to extend Black Hawk service lives for special forces use IHS Jane's Defence Weekly 1 December 2015 3 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160105000134/http://www.janes.com/article/56386/australian-army-to-extend-black-hawk-service-lives-for-special-forces-use 5 January 2016 dead Twenty Black Hawks were retained with eighteen based at Holsworthy and two at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre in Oakey in order to develop a special operations capable MRH90. This required developing a Fast Roping and Rappelling Extraction System (FRRES) and a gun mount for the cabin door. The Taipan Gun Mount can fit either a M134D minigun or MAG 58 machine gun and when not in use can be moved into a outward stowed position to provide clearance to enable fast roping and rappelling.Department of Defence Additional Estimates – 04 March 2020 - Question 84 - MRH90 design - Senator Kitching https://www.aph.gov.au/api/qon/downloadattachment?attachmentId=613ec258-1319-403d-9444-9aeeb4bb7967 Senate Standing Committee Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade 17 December 2020 21 April 2020Tillett Andrew Army helicopter's gun failings leave special forces vulnerable https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/army-helicopter-s-gun-failings-leave-special-forces-vulnerable-20201027-p568xn 17 December 2020 Australian Financial Review 27 October 2020 In February 2019, the first two of twelve MRH90s were delivered to the regiment.Jennings Gareth Australia begins SOF helo transition from Black Hawk to MRH90 https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/australia-begins-sof-helo-transition-from-black-hawk-to-mrh90 17 December 2020 Janes 6 February 2019Airbus targets special ops helos https://adbr.com.au/airbus-targets-special-ops-helos/ 5 September 2022 Australian Defence Business Review 4 March 2019 In 2016, the Australian government in the Defence White Paper 2016 announced a plan to acquire light helicopters for the regiment under Project Land 2097 Phase 4 that would fulfil roles that the MRH90 was unable to perform.Department of Defence 2016 Defence Whitepaper 2016 Department of Defence 9780994168054 http://www.defence.gov.au/WhitePaper/Docs/2016-Defence-White-Paper.pdf 100 https://web.archive.org/web/20160301003400/http://www.defence.gov.au/WhitePaper/Docs/2016-Defence-White-Paper.pdf 1 March 2016 deadBurr CA Lt. Gen. Richard Hansard Tuesday 27 October 2020 Defence Portfolio https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=committees/estimate/f714d311-39d2-4f05-97db-8b595281e700/&sid=0001 Senate Standing Committee Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Commonwealth of Australia 22 March 2021 27 October 2020Ziesing Katherine Special Forces helicopter: Industry brief for Land 2097 Phase 4 https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/special-forces-helicopter-industry-brief-for-land-2097-phase-4 21 March 2021 Australian Defence Magazine 5 September 2019 Canberra In March 2023, Australian Defence Magazine reported that the light helicopter project had been cancelled as the UH-60M Black Hawk the Army was acquiring would fulfil this role.Pittaway Nigel Defence confirms Special Forces helicopter cancellation https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/defence-confirms-special-forces-helicopter-cancellation 22 March 2023 Australian Defence Magazine 9 March 2023 In December 2021, on the same day the S70A-9 Black Hawk was retired, the government announced that it would replace the MRH90s with new UH-60M Black Hawks.Minister for Defence Peter Dutton Strengthening Army's helicopter capability https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/peter-dutton/media-releases/strengthening-armys-helicopter-capability Department of Defence Ministers 5 September 2022 10 December 2021McLaughlin Andrew With a new Black Hawk on the way, the original is retired https://adbr.com.au/with-a-new-black-hawk-on-the-way-the-original-is-retired/ 5 September 2022 Australian Defence Business Review 10 December 2021 In September 2023, the MRH90 fleet was retired earlier than planned following the fatal crash of a 173rd Special Operations Aviation Squadron MRH90 during exercise Talisman Sabre in July 2023.Minister for Defence Richard Marles Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy Army helicopter fleet update https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2023-09-29/army-helicopter-fleet-update Department of Defence Ministers 14 October 2023 29 September 2023Banville Kate EXCLUSIVE: Chopper crash victims identified as recovery mission continues https://countrycaller.com.au/2023/07/30/exclusive-chopper-crash-victims-identified-as-recovery-mission-continues/ 14 October 2023 Country Caller 30 July 2023 In August 2023, the Army began receiving deliveries of UH-60Ms.Blenkin Max First Army UH-60M Black Hawks arrive in Australia https://www.australiandefence.com.au/defence/land/first-army-uh-60m-black-hawks-arrive-in-australia 14 October 2023 Australian Defence Magazine 7 August 2023 See also British Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing Canadian 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron French 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment Italian 3rd Special Operations Helicopter Regiment U.S. 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment – Night Stalkers Notes References 30em Further reading Eather Steve 1995 Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force Aerospace Publications Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory 1-875671-15-3 171 171 Category:Military units and formations established in 1968 Category:1968 establishments in Australia Category:Helicopter units and formations Category:Cold War history of Australia