AS350B Squirrel N22-017

Light utility helicopter RAN AS350 Squirrel N22-017. '864'. Aerospatiale build number 1744. Delivered to the Navy on 24 March 1984. Embarked aboard the RAN's frigates until replaced by the S-70B-2 Seahawk. Speed 260kph, range 555km, crew of two to four. Powered by an Aerospatiale Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine. Painted overall light grey.

Squirrels operated from all helicopter capable RAN ships during the 1991 Gulf War. During this service they were fitted with a door mounted MAG-58 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). Employment included shipping surveillance, top cover for helicopter boardings, mine searches and light logistics support. Squirrels also flew in numerous activities in support of the civil community during the 2001 bushfire crisis and the 2011 and 2012 floods.

This particular aircraft’s significant RAN Service history includes: Operations in HMAS Canberra (FFG03) 1986-1989; HMAS Sydney 1986-87; HMAS Success (AOR) Gulf War 1 1990 (OP DAMASK 1); HMAS Darwin (FFG04) 1991 (OP DAMASK 3) ;and HMAS Anzac (FFH01) OP WARDEN, East Timor 1999-2000.

In April 1987, whilst embarked aboard Sydney, the aircraft lifted over 25 tonnes of rice in a single day to resupply Tanna island in Vanuatu after a cyclone. The Flight crew embarked in HMAS Sydney for most of the period were Lieutenants Rob Hill and Clive Shepherd, Chief Petty Officer Jeff Williams, Leading Seaman Peter Kerr and Knocka White and Able Seaman Mick Morante. During its time with Sydney, the aircraft was named 'Lynx Busta' after it was able to successfully locate and silently engage the Westland Lynx from HMS Beaver in Exercise Croweater 1986.

During the Operation Damask 3 deployment, the aircraft provided support in a number of roles from surveillance, mail runs and general passenger / cargo transfer to providing 'Top Cover' with a floor mounted MAG-58 gun, and insertion of and retrieval of UN inspection teams onto and off the various ships travelling through the area of operations. The only other notable addition to the aircraft for the deployment was a marine GPS mounted on the side dash in the left seat position and an antenna mounted on top of the engine cowl. The aircraft had to slow to below 90 knots for it to work properly. The Flight team for the trip consisted of a crew of 6 – 2 aircrew and 4 maintainers – Leut James Tobin (Flt Commander), SBLT John May (Pilot), David Spratling (CPOATA FSMS), LSATV (ATWL) Steve Flannery, LSATV (ATC) Tony Bailey and ABATA Chris Gittens.