Airstrip profile lifted via chopper exercise
THE Cardwell/Dallachy Aerodrome has been given a major profile boost after playing host to an army training exercise last night.
Several large helicopters from the 16th Aviation Brigade came to the aerodrome to run Black Hawk refuelling exercises, restricting access to local fixed-wing aircraft.
Cardwell Chamber of Commerce local aerodromes representative Gareth Davey said he was approached by the army about the possibility of using the site.
“It’s good for the local area. It lets us test the contact arrangements for the Cardwell community disaster plan, and if there’s ever any incident or drama where the military needs to get out here, they have that practice now,” he said.
Mr Davey said the aerodrome was normally a day aerodrome with no lighting, requiring them to use night vision equipment.
“I understand we’ve had visits from Chinooks in the past according to some of the local aerodrome guys who’ve been around longer than I have,” he said.
“But this is the first time we’ve had a major exercise by many aircraft, and likely the first time it has involved night vision exercises, since that technology is fairly new.”
The exercise was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was postponed two days due to a fire near Paluma.
The fire closed the Bruce Highway, holding back military trucks and requiring visiting army crews to assist.
Mr Davey said one Chinook was able to make it up to the site to survey on Tuesday.
“They said they were impressed with the site,” he said.