 | Fleet Air Arm |
| Fleet Air Arm |
16 December 2011
The RAN’s venerable Sea King helicopters and 817 Squadron have made their final flight as part of a decommissioning ceremony held at HMAS Albatross at Nowra. The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon and Chief of Navy, VADM Ray Griggs, were on hand to welcome the final flight and thank the 817 Squadron who operated the helicopters.
Australia’s Sea Kings are being retired after a remarkable 35 years serving in times of conflict, peacekeeping, natural disaster, search and rescue and national celebration. The men and women of 817 Squadron, past and present, served with distinction over the life of the helos - they were in war theatres, there for the 1994 bushfires, the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, the 2001 North NSW floods and just this year in the South East Queensland flood relief.
Commander Paul Moggach, the 817 Squadron’s Commanding Officer, led a formation leaving from the Naval Air Station at HMAS Albatross. The formation made a flying visit up the NSW coast, arriving over Sydney for a flight up Sydney Harbour, followed by a flyover to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
The Australian Government announced in June, that Sea King shark 07 would be included in the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Nowra, to preserve the Sea Kings’ heritage for future generations.
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs described the ceremony as a fitting end to a remarkable career for both the personnel of 817 Squadron and the Sea King helicopters.
“The Sea Kings are commonly known as the Mack trucks of the skies. All who have maintained and operated them feel honoured to have done so. After 35 years, it is time to look to the future with a new generation of aircraft. The personnel of 817 Squadron are first rate members of the Navy and they’ll now apply their experience, commitment and expertise in other roles throughout the Navy and ADF Aviation," he said.
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