The first of 18 Black Hawks to be based at Swartz Barracks, Oakey arrives on 26 June. Photo: ADF.
The Australian Army’s new fleet of Black Hawk helicopters has started to settle into its second operating base at Oakey on Queensland’s Darling Downs.
The first three of 18 UH-60M Black Hawks that will be based at the Army Aviation Training Centre at Swartz Barracks in Oakey were transferred from Holsworthy near Sydney on 26 June, after the initial batch of aircraft was concentrated at Holsworthy to train the first cadre of aircrews and maintenance personnel.
From 2026, all Black Hawk training will be transferred from Holsworthy to Oakey, after which the 6th Aviation Regiment (6Avn) at Holsworthy will concentrate on its primary role supporting the 2nd Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) commandos based there in the counter-terrorism role.
The first of 40 new Black Hawks were delivered in July 2023 after it was decided to retire the MRH 90 Taipan from 2025. But a fatal crash of a Taipan at Exercise Talisman Saber in 2023 saw that fleet grounded, and subsequently withdrawn from service without returning to flight.
Since then, the Black Hawk program has been accelerated, with Australia taking US Army production slots and Australian crews training with US Army units to achieve this.
The second operating location expands upon Lockheed Martin Australia and Sikorsky Australia’s support of the Black Hawk and Navy’s similar MH-60R Seahawk at Holsworthy and HMAS Albatross near Nowra respectively.
Commander of the Army’s Aviation Command Major General David Hafner said the continued introduction of the Black Hawk fleet would ensure the Australian Defence Force was equipped to respond to domestic emergencies and future security challenges, as well as support regional partners.
“The modernisation of Army’s aviation capabilities is providing our soldiers with the enhanced situational awareness, tactical speed, reach, and firepower required to protect Australia and our national interests,” he said.
“I want to thank the United States Army for their continued support in the delivery of the UH-60M Black Hawk to Australia, and our industry partners at Lockheed Martin Australia for aiding with the sustainment of this critical capability.”
The first three of 18 UH-60M Black Hawks to be based at Swartz Barracks at Oakey. Photo: ADF.
Head of Joint Aviation Systems Division Major General Jeremy King said collaboration with defence industry was vital in equipping and sustaining the battlefield aviation capability.
“The expansion of the Black Hawk fleet will be supported by a highly skilled, embedded defence industry workforce, working side by side with our Army Aviation specialists to deliver and sustain this critical capability,” he said.
Swartz Barracks will receive a $9 million upgrade to accommodate the new helicopters and their operating 5th Aviation Regiment (5Avn) personnel.
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s Chief Executive Warren McDonald congratulated the Army on the establishment of a second operating location, and said it would ensure a steady growth of highly skilled, rotary-wing industry roles across regional Queensland.
“The culmination of the Australian Army announcing initial operating capability for the UH-60M Black Hawks in February together with launching a second aviation operating node is significant,” he said.
“It showcases Army’s expertise and steadfast commitment to delivering critical capability at speed to protect Australia.
“As the manufacturer of the UH-60M Black Hawk, we deeply understand the asset and are committed to providing trusted sustainment support services to the Australia Army with ongoing reliability, speed, and affordability.”
Lockheed Martin Australia’s Black Hawk Program Manager Rodahn Gibbon added, “It’s incredibly motivating to see the Australian Army’s Black Hawk program expand on the ground in Oakey.
“We are proud to contribute to the sustainment effort in Oakey, which generates promising job prospects for aviation professionals in the region.”
