CH– 47F Chinooks

The new shape of Turkish Army Aviation

The Turkish Land Forces have considerable experience in airmobile operations with helicopters. In internal security operations and during the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations in Syria, helicopters were an important part, inducting special troops behind enemy forces with these air-mobile operations. Helicopters have performed key tasks in the transportation of troops, supply of materials and other requirements in the southeastern border regions in varied geographical conditions.

Requirement for heavy transport helicopter supply for Turkish Army Aviation emerged while fulfilling these important tasks and dates back to the early 1990s. Although the criticality of air transportation and operations, especially in the fight against terrorism and in internal security operations has been increasing, in a country such as Turkey which is surrounded mostly by mountainous terrain, no serious steps were taken in the procurement of helicopters. This was mainly because of political unrest, tension between countries and many economic crises that Turkey had experienced. Even the purchase of second hand helicopters did not happen owing to the absence of approval from the US Congress.

On 30 June 2006, the first positive steps were taken to acquire the heavy load helicopters that the Land Forces Command required. For this purpose, proposals were requested for the Boeing CH-47 Chinook and Sikorsky CH-53K. After conducting extensive trials, it was decided to opt for the Boeing CH-47 Chinook. Sales approval of the helicopters, to be supplied under the Foreign Military Sales, was given by the US Congress in December 2009 and negotiations with Boeing begun. The approved package

included 14 CH-47F Chinook helicopters, 32 T55-GA-714A turbine engines, 28 AN/ ARC- 201E single channel ground and airborne radio systems (SINCGARS), 14 AN/APR-39A(V)1 radar signal detecting sets, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, ferry services etc at an estimated cost of $1.2 billion. Following negotiations, 5 more CH-47 helicopters were ordered by the Defence Industry Executive Committee on 7 January 2015, for a total of 11 CH-47F Chinook helicopters to be purchased. 6 of the helicopters were for the Land Forces Command, 4 for Special Forces Command and 1 for the Ministry of National Defence.

Strategic and logistics location of the helicopters was carefully considered which was decided to be Güvercinlik Air Base of the Army Aviation Command in Ankara. Since the CH-47F Chinook helicopters were of a different class compared to other lighter and medium transport/ utility helicopters with the Army Aviation Command, a new maintenance unit and helicopter battalion was created for operation of these CH- 47F helicopters in Ankara. Under the 1st Army Aviation Regiment Ankara, a Heavy Lift Helicopter Battalion was established. The first 3 helicopters in inventory of the Land Forces Command were brought to Izmir port on 14 July 2016 by sea, the other 3 in November of the same year. The helicopters then flew from Izmir to Güvercinlik and delivery of 6 helicopters for the Army Aviation Command completed. In August 2018, the helicopter ordered for the Ministry of National Defence, to be operated by the Turkish Army Aviation Command, joined the inventory. It is planned that CH-47F helicopters of the Special Forces Command would be delivered in mid-2019, with a fast drop feature under the body.

The CH-47F helicopters in Turkish Army Aviation Command, have a crew of 5 : 2 pilots, 2 technicians and 1 ramp operator. Accommodation is for 33 troops, but which can be increased to up to 55. If required, the helicopter can be transformed into a flying hospital as well, housing 24 stretchers. Three machine guns can be mounted as required, two on the right

and left window and one on the ramp. (Its maximum mission time is 2 hours and 15 minutes). There are various self-protection systems, such as the Common Missile Warning System, APR-39 Radar Warning Receiver and Infrared Suppression System.

After the CH-47 Chinook helicopters joined the Turkish Army Aviation Command, intensive training activities were carried out in coordination with the Turkish Land Forces Commandership’s Land Units and other Force Commands.