TRAIN FOR BATTLE

TOWNSVILLE residents can expect to see, and hear increased chopper action as Darwin troops arrive for an exercise.

Tiger Army Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH), CH-47F Chinooks, and MRH90 Taipan helicopters will take to the skies to conduct warfighting training until November 26 as part of Exercise Vigilant Scimitar.

The 16th Aviation Brigade exercise was designed to integrate helicopters from Darwin’s 1st Aviation Regiment and Townsville’s 5th Aviation Regiment to operate in support of ground forces.

Elements from 1st Brigade, 3rd Brigade and 17th Sustainment Brigade will also play a role at the Townsville Field Training Area.

It comes as a tactical joint exercise with Singapore has ended with amphibious training on Australia’s largest warship, HMAS Adelaide, off Townsville.

The amphibious assault ship, the largest ever built for the Royal Australian Navy is equipped with modern combat systems including air and surface radar, advanced communications capability and surveillance systems.

Air Commander Leon Volz said training with the Republic of Singapore Air Force to conduct amphibious landings was a “capability enhancer”.

The officer-in-command of flying elements, Lieutenant Commander Adam Wells, said the training operation allowed for trainees to get flight time.

“It gives them (trainees) more confidence in their drills when they’re coming out to operate these aircraft,” LCDR Wells said.