18 squadron aircraft

Anniversary colours

Part of a large deployment of 18 Squadron Chinooks to descend on the Fife base during June.

Those huge 100 meter+ windmills just make the Chinook like a toy

This former CH-47C (fms serial 93-0927, c/n B.706/E.006) was modified by Boeing to CH-47D late 1993 and returned to the Royal Australian Army in mid 1995. The Chinook was deployed to Afghanistan and heavily used. After its deployment, it was returned to homebase RAAF Townsville/Intl, (also known as Garbut Barracks). On 15 April 2015, this Chinook was withdrawn from use and made its final flight to RAAF Point Cook for preservation in the RAAF museum. Since then is is reported as stored at this location, fully cocooned.

Hilarious: This Dutch Chinook had a bird strike over Afghanistan. That caused a clear visible dent in the black radome. The little damaged and robust built Chinook could continue its flight. Later during my deployment to Kandahar, I told this story to an F-16 pilot on QRA duty. With a complete astonished but spontaneous look he said: "Huh, how's that possible?? Birds can only hit the rear of a Chinook in flight!!". On the picture, the concerning H-47 is seen over one of the few lakes in Kandahar province. Chinooks stole my heart during the deployment. So versatile and such a dangerous mission!

One of two Chinooks giving rides at the Tachikawa Air Rescue Festival

This 03-03730 is a rebuilt CH-47D, once serialled 85-24355. That's the reason the aircraft has two c/n's assigned, M3730/M3125. The helicopter belongs to the 3-160th SOAR, normally based at Fort Campbell (KY)

A Special Operations Chinook of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), or 3-160th SOAR, based at Fort Campbell (KY) seen during a hover test flight over deployment location Kandahar (Afghanistan).

Withdrawn from use in late 2024, and heavily cannibalized offered for scrap by GSA Auctions in early 2025.

The MH-47 Special Operations Chinook is the primary heavy lift transport helicopter for the US Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment "Nightstalkers". The MH-47G differs from its CH-47 sister models by its black color scheme and its incorporation of combat systems and a refueling probe designed to make the helicopter more survivable on missions deep in enemy territory (and during nighttime).

Enjoying the show.....

Wearing squadron 18 markings based at this time in Gutersloh, West Germany.