Rules and guidelines for using this page
a. This is an official Australian Army page, therefore, it is essential that a suitable standard of conversation is maintained at all times (that is, no material is to be provided that could offend, humiliate or intimidate another person or, if disclosed, has the potential to affect national security or damage the reputation of the Army, ADF, Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Department of Defence or the government). While this is an open forum, it is also family friendly, so please keep your comments and wall posts clean. We ask that you follow our posting guidelines; failure to do so will result in your message being removed: For example -
- We do not allow graphic, obscene, explicit or racial comments or submissions nor do we allow comments that are abusive, hateful or intended to defame anyone or any organisation.
- Links to non government web sites, other Facebook groups or inappropriate posts may be removed at the discretion of the Army Social Media team.
- We do not allow comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity.
- This is an apolitical site and as such posts attacking either side of the Australian Government will be removed.
- You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided. This page will be monitored regularly to detect any inappropriate behaviour and posts that breach the guidelines. Any posts that do breach the guidelines will be deleted. You should also be aware of what other people can see on your own profile if you have not restricted access to it.
- Spammers or trouble makers will not be tolerated (people whose sole reason for being here is to agitate). Your posts will be deleted and you will be banned immediately. c. By joining the Australian Army's official Facebook Fan page and using the provided service you agree to the above guidelines. To discuss the above guidelines or any other inquiries, please email the army(dot)contact(at)defence(dot)gov(dot)au. d. The appearance of external links (for example, Facebook advertisements) on this site does not constitute official endorsement by the Australian Army or the Department of Defence. e. For any recruiting inquiries contact 13 19 01 or visit Defence Force Jobs
f. Defence personnel should read this Directive, DI(G) ADMIN 08-1 and DI(G) ADMIN 08-2 before posting on any social networking sites such as Facebook. You should also be aware of all Defence’s statutory and policy responsibilities and what other people can see on your own profile if you have not restricted access to it. Regards - The Australian Army Social Media Team
Unit History
•1942: In December 1942, approval was given as an urgent war measure to construct an airfield for use by the No 6 Aircraft Depot RAAF at Oakey with an establishment of some 2,000 officers and men.
•1969: 01 July 1969: Army formally took over possession of the Oakey Airfield from the then Department of Civil Aviation.
•1972: 01 August 1972: 1 AVN REGT was the only Army flying unit on the Army Order of Battle. On that day, the following Army Aviation Units were derived from that nucleus;
◦HQ Army Aviation
◦1 AVN Regt (new establishment)
◦School of Army Aviation
◦Army Aviation Centre Base Sqn.
•1990: 01 Jan 1990: Australian Defence Force Helicopter School was raised at RAAF Fairbairn.
•1995: In February 1995, the withdrawal from service of the Nomad fixed wing aircraft lead to Army flying training becoming predominately helicopter based.
•1996: The establishment of the HQ Aviation Support Group at Oakey.
•1998: The establishment of the Army Aviation Training centre at Oakey ◦The transfer of Oakey air traffic control (ATC) responsibilities from Army to RAAF (41 Wing).
•1999: The relocation of the Iroquois (Gunship) capability from Townsville to Oakey.
•2000: In November 2000, the pilot and crew trainer for the Blackhawk helicopter, (Full Flight and Mission Simulator) was introduced. This Blackhawk simulator was the first military helicopter simulator to earn the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Level 5 accreditation.
•2003: Oakey Redevelopment commenced to create new buildings, facilities and to relocate Oakey Civilian Terminal.
•2004: In December 2004 - Arrival of the first ARH Tiger under Project Air 87. ◦1 Avn Regt is to relocate into facilities at Robertson Barracks (Darwin).
•2005: Pilot and crew trainer for the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH). The simulator system includes training for all facets of ARH operation to a level commensurate with CASA Level 5.
•2005: In August 2005, the Museum of Australian Army Flying moved into a new purpose-built facility on the airfield at Oakey.
•2007: On 30 March 2007, the Load Master Virtual Reality Simulator (LVRS) Loadmaster trainer for Blackhawk, Chinook and MRH-90.
•2007:On 21 September 2007 - The Final flight of the UH-1H Iroquois helicopters as part of the army's capabilities took place over Brisbane.
•2008: Oct 2008 – Weapon Training Simulation System (WTSS) at Oakey was completed with support for: F88, F89, MAG 58, HDGS, Mk 3 Pistol, GLA, LDFSW M72A6, and MDFSW 84mm.
•2009: Helicopter Conversion Course (HCC) and Helicopter Tactics Course (HTC) are revised and combined to make Helicopter Qualification Course (HQC)
•2009:Kiowa Training Troop revised and renamed to Graduate Pilot Troop
•2009: In September 2009 - The King Air's last flight with the Army. This marks the end of fixed wing flying within Army Aviation.
•2009: In July 2009 - 173 Aviation Squadron has relinquished its King Airs to the RAAF and relocated from Oakey to Holsworthy.
•2009: Upgrade and expansion of facilities commenced to accommodate the MRH90 Project.
•2011:11 Jan 2011: Two Black Hawks from the AAvnTC respond to calls for assistance to evacuate civilian personnel stranded by flash flooding in the Toowoomba/Laidley Regions.
•2011: 03 Feb 2011: Eighty five personnel from the AAvnTC and supporting Oakey based units including four Black Hawk and eight Kiowa aircraft deploy to Townsville as part of JTF 664.6 to assist with disaster relief efforts in North Queensland post Cyclone Yasi.
•2011:30 Jun 2011: The military facilities at Oakey are officially named Swartz Barracks after the late The Honorable, Sir Reginald William Collin Swartz, KBE, MBE (Mil) ED. Sir Reginald Swartz was appointed the first Honorary Colonel of the Australian Army Aviation Corps.
•2012: MRH 90 training for aircrew commences at Oakey.
