Sea King 'Capricorn Duck' delivers again

14 November 2007

In the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) 817 Squadron, Shark 20 demonstrated the versatility of the Sea King as a utility helicopter during Talisman Sabre 2007 (TS07). Embarked in HMAS Manoora (CMDR McHardie) as part of the combined Amphibious Task Force headed by USS Essex, Shark 20 was the 'go to' for logistical support.

Recording 38 hours in the air, Shark 20 had a busy schedule. Over the course of the exercise she conducted ten trips to the main logistical base at Rockhampton and carried over 2200 kg of stores, some involving 50 nautical mile vertical replenishment transits.

In addition, Shark 20 transported 74 people to nine different ships and conducted 61 deck landings over ten logistical sorties. Maintaining a high tempo, Shark 20 remained at Alert 45 for the medical team during parts of the exercise and conducted Plane Guard duties for USS Essex as she conducted AV-8B Harrier operations, a first for an RAN aircraft since the carrier HMAS Melbourne (II) was decommissioned in 1982.