15 July 2022
HMAS Canberra has embarked two MV-22B Osprey Military Aircraft and their crew on board, flying onto the deck during the first week of the sea phase of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022.
The aircraft are on board for the duration of the tactical phase and are one in many types of helicopters to land and take off from Canberra’s flight deck during the exercise.
A team of staff from the Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit (AMAFTU) have embarked for RIMPAC and, in a first for Canberra, the aircraft have been moved and stowed on board.
Australian Army Major David Ellson said what the unit is achieving has taken some work by AMAFTU to get to this point but is important for future capability and a great achievement to see.
“This is the first time at sea we have taken a MV-22B down from the flight deck onto the elevator lift and into the hangar,” Major Ellson said.
“It all forms part of the trials for AMAFTU to enable coalition aircraft to routinely embark on our ships.
“The evolution to move and stow the MV-22B involved approximately ten crew and provided an opportunity for AMAFTU and the MV-22B crew to observe which is what this phase of RIMPAC is about, the interchangeability between Australia and coalition nations such as the United States.”
Canberra has not only embarked the two aircraft but their pilots, ground crew and maintainers. The 25 members are living on board and integrating into life with fellow Aussies.
The exercises on board with the MV-22B’s will identify how Australian landing helicopter docks can support the aircraft for extended periods of time.
“By having the Osprey’s crew on board they can undertake maintenance and we can see what our endurance is to support the aircraft for short, medium and longer term embarkations,” Major Ellson said.
“Moving and stowing the Osprey was done at a careful slower pace with our Canberra crew working alongside the Osprey crew as it’s a big aircraft and the crews have not done this at sea, we needed to ensure the aircraft could be stowed inside the ship and achieved safely.
“It’s good to see this being accomplished and was a great moment for all those involved, it’s always a sense of achievement to be involved in a ‘first’ for the ship.”
Canberra will continue to conduct air operations at sea with international partners and allies as part of RIMPAC 2022.
