HMAS Choules has been training with the big boys of aviation.
In February, the ship conducted its Aviation Sea Safety Assessment and requalified Army pilots from 5th Aviation Regiment's (5 Avn Regt) C Squadron.
CH-47 Chinook aircraft flew each day from Townsville to Choules as the ship patrolled off the coast of north Queensland to conduct deck-landing practice.
Captain James Fahey, of 5 Avn Regt, said the training re-established deck-landing proficiency of already qualified aircrew.
"When a training opportunity arises we will bring out new aircrew that have not conducted deck landings before to qualify them," he said.
"However, most members of C Squadron are already qualified from previous years and are just keeping that qualification current."
Before the training, Choules had to be deemed safe to operate with aircraft. This involved a team from the Fleet Aviation Office joining the ship to conduct an assessment.
Aspects such as the ship's aviation facilities, flight deck team operation and emergency damage control procedures are assessed according to the class of ship.
'This will be critical as Choules prepares for Exercise Talisman Sabre where we will work with the 5AVN team again.'
Choules' operations officer Lieutenant Commander Adam Piotrowski said the assessment went smoothly.
"The Fleet Aviation Office team were excellent while they were on board - taking the time to teach, correct and then assess," Lieutenant Commander Piotrowski said.
"The whole process worked well for Choules to be awarded the qualification for both day and night flying."
A large number of new crew members joined the ship before it sailed from Sydney, so there were some steep learning curves on the journey to Townsville.
Choules' updated qualification is critical for the humanitarian and disaster relief response vessel.
This is especially pertinent for working with 5 Avn Regt, which operates the CH-47 Chinooks. The regiment was recently tasked with flood support in northern Queensland duringf the training.
"The relationship that Choules built with 5 Avn over the period has increased the interoperability between the ship and the CH-47 Squadron," Lieutenant Commander Piotrowski said.
"This will be critical as Choules prepares for Exercise Talisman Sabre where we will work with the 5 Avn team again."
The CH-47 Chinook is the largest military helicopter in the Southern Hemisphere.
It provides Defence with the ability to mass large amounts of combat power within a short timeframe, making it ideal for amphibious operations.
Choules continues to prepare for Exercise Talisman Sabre, a multinational exercise held in northern Australia every two years.
