5th Aviation welcomes four new Chinooks to Townsville base

The naming ceremony honoured a longstanding army aviation tradition and included a traditional Smoking Ceremony from the Wulgurukaba people.

TownsvilleÕs 5th Aviation Regiment will honour a long-standing tradition and conduct a naming ceremony for four Australian Army CH-47F Chinook helicopters. Ashley Saltner from the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts with the CH-47F Chinook called Gadaragi. Picture: Eva Morgan

Capable, Chariot, Cunning and Gadaragi are the new names given to four Australian Army 5th Aviation Regiment CH-47F Chinook helicopters in ceremony at RAAF Base Townsville on Monday.

The naming ceremony honoured a longstanding army aviation tradition and included a traditional Smoking Ceremony from the Wulgurukaba people.

Commanding Officer 5th Fifth Aviation Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Lean said the day marked the occasion for welcoming the final four, of fourteen, CH-47’s into the regiment’s fleet.

TownsvilleÕs 5th Aviation Regiment will honour a long-standing tradition and conduct a naming ceremony for four Australian Army CH-47F Chinook helicopters. Picture: Eva Morgan

“The naming ceremony was an opportunity for us to provide the connection between the CH 47 community and defence and the local Indigenous community,” he said.

The Lieutenant Colonel said three of the names were among 30 suggested by members of the aviation regiment and the final name was selected after liaison with the region’s Indigenous community.

“We believe that this was an opportunity to show the connection between defence and the Chinook community that have called Townsville home for over 30 years, and the Townsville Indigenous community.

“I believe that this presents an opportunity to spread awareness of that connection across Australia and internationally - wherever our fleet are deployed.”

He said the names were selected to represent the different strengths of the aircraft.

TownsvilleÕs 5th Aviation Regiment will honour a long-standing tradition and conduct a naming ceremony for four Australian Army CH-47F Chinook helicopters. William Mabo and Deja Wyles from the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts. Picture: Eva Morgan

For Chinook 311, the name chosen was Capable - the ability to achieve whatever is required.

“This is being demonstrated by the Chinook’s capability since it first started operations in Australia more than 50 years ago, and for the Fifth Aviation Regiment 30 years ago, next year.

“312 is Chariot a term used in antiquity. Chariots have long been associated with military capability and transport. The Chinook is a modern chariot of the sky. 313 is Cunning - ability, skill and expertise, and skill employed in a crafty manner.”

TownsvilleÕs 5th Aviation Regiment will honour a long-standing tradition and conduct a naming ceremony for four Australian Army CH-47F Chinook helicopters. Ashley Saltner, Deja Wyles and William Mabo from the the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts. Picture: Eva Morgan

For Chinnok 314 the Indigenous name was Gadaragi meaning strong.

Commander 16th Aviation Brigade Brigadier Fern Thompson said the ceremony was a reflection of unit’s deep commitment to the Townsville community.

“Providing a name is a reflection of the actual role that these helicopters will perform, and also some of the actual values and strengths in our workforce, our soldiers and our officers, who not only fly our machines, but prepare our machines,” she said.

Originally published as 5th Aviation welcomes four new Chinooks to Townsville base