Six Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk helicopters from the Australian Army’s 171st Aviation Squadron, 6th Aviation Regiment, were operating in the Perth area for a month-long counter terrorism training exercise from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
The Army has publicised the exercise in advance, including letter drops in affected suburbs, to warn residents of the noise. The first two weeks’ missions will be in the Perth CBD and coastal suburbs, including Swanbourne and Cottesloe near the SAS’ Campbell Barracks, before they move to Bindoon for the final two weeks. Most Blackhawk flight operations will occur in the afternoon, but some will take place late at night or in the early morning, often at low altitudes, allowing the crews to practice using night-vision goggles in a city environment.
Blackhawks previously visited Perth to provide security for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2011.
The six Blackhawks involved are:
- A25-110 (MSN 70-1146) named ‘Apocalypse’
- A25-202 (MSN 70-1299) named ‘Vengaeance’
- A25-210 (MSN 70-1348) named ‘Dragoon’
- A25-214 (MSN 70-1382) named ‘Tempest’
- A25-219 (MSN 70-1410) named ‘Harlequin’
- A25-223 (MSN 70-1432) named ‘Patriot’
On 29 May 2014 from around 2:30pm, four of the Blackhawks flew repeated runs to and from the State Government offices at Dumas House, West Perth (near Kings Park). They operated in groups of 2-4 with a pair hovering over the building for a minute or so before flying away, then returning every 5-10 minutes.
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Six Blackhawks were flown in from their base at Luscombe Army Airfield, Holsworthy, NSW, to participate in a counterterrorism exercise in Perth and Bindoon from 5 May – 5 June 2014.
Photo © Matt Hayes
Photo ©Commonwealth of Australia, ABIS Chris Beerens, 20140505ran8526162_087
Photo ©Commonwealth of Australia, ABIS Chris Beerens, 20140505ran8526162_023
Photo ©Commonwealth of Australia, ABIS Chris Beerens, 20140505ran8526162_028
