In a move that’s sure to bring a nostalgic smile to the face of all helicopter enthusiasts, a squadron of Australian Army Iroquois helicopters will soon be dispatched to towns across the nation to become permanent display features.
Making the announcement in Townsville recently, Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, Greg Combet, said a squadron of 11 Army Iroquois helicopters, which served the Army proudly for more than four decades, would be made local tourist attractions in a number of select communities around the country.
As well as Townsville in North Queensland, the Iroquois helicopters will also become tourist attractions in Point Cook in Victoria, Darwin, Holsworthy, Oakey, Enoggera, Bandiana, and the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
“Townsville and the other locations selected have had an association with the Iroquois helicopter for a very long time,” Combet said. “It’s only fitting then that these helicopters come to rest among these communities.
“Iroquois helicopters have played a big part in Australia’s military history and Townsville has played a part in their history too.
“One Iroquois helicopter will be kept for permanent display outside Townsville’s RAAF Base, where we expect it to attract military enthusiasts and other visitors.
“Australia’s Iroquois helicopters have had a long history among the country’s Defence Force. Iroquois helicopters served Australia during the Vietnam War, on deployments to Bougainville and the Solomon Islands, and provided assistance to people who were affected by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in Indonesia.”
Another five Iroquois helicopters will be kept by the Australian Defence Force as training aids and another two will be offered for sale to national returned service organisations.
(Department of Defence)
