Should the ADF's new attack helicopters be based in Darwin?

[bob10]

Now that the government has made the decision (https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/lreynolds/media-releases/future-ready-strengthening-armys-armed-reconnaissance-capability) to purchase 29 of Boeing’s AH-64E Apache helicopters by 2025 to replace the Australian Army’s 22 Airbus Tigers, where does it leave us?
Surprisingly, it’s with a great opportunity to increase Australia’s defence capability. Using Darwin as the Apaches’ basing and sustainment location will deepen the city’s ability to support high-end technologies and train and work with our US ally, a partner that seems likely to visit more and more frequently as President Joe Biden looks at (https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2495328/global-posture-review-will-tie-strategy-defense-policy-to-basing/) US global force posture changes—and Australia seeks to makes that work in both its and America’s interests.



Australian Army’s new attack helicopters must be based and sustained in Darwin | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au) (https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australian-armys-new-attack-helicopters-must-be-based-and-sustained-in-darwin/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly%20The%20Strategist&utm_content=Weekly%20The%20Strategist+CID_0951b498 7b7fe6b0853110330e27f447&utm_source=CampaignMonitor&utm_term=Australian%20Armys%20new%20attack%20helic opters%20must%20be%20based%20and%20sustained%20in% 20Darwin)

[FisherX]

Probably Darwin is a good place to start when the Apache's start to be delivered. There are a bunch of US Marines up there and their knowledge of maintenance, logistics and integration would come in handy to get the project off the ground. But putting all of the 29 there I would think would be putting all your eggs in the one basket. Might not take much for our adversary to take out the whole fleet of Apache along with all the supporting infrastructure in one hit.

I'd think that splitting them up and spreading them around a bit would be a better idea. Yes Darwin for a bunch of them but Townsville would a good spot for a half a dozen or so of them to exercise with the Army units there. RAAF Pearce in Perth for another half dozen to give the SAS boys something to exercise with (I'd say they're the lads that will be requiring them the most) and a few a Tindal in Katherine just for dispersal purposes.

I'm sure that shouldn't be a hard or to much added expense as you would think that the Apache would be readily deployable with their own mobile ground support units.

[bob10]

Probably Darwin is a good place to start when the Apache's start to be delivered. There are a bunch of US Marines up there and their knowledge of maintenance, logistics and integration would come in handy to get the project off the ground. But putting all of the 29 there I would think would be putting all your eggs in the one basket. Might not take much for our adversary to take out the whole fleet of Apache along with all the supporting infrastructure in one hit.

I'd think that splitting them up and spreading them around a bit would be a better idea. Yes Darwin for a bunch of them but Townsville would a good spot for a half a dozen or so of them to exercise with the Army units there. RAAF Pearce in Perth for another half dozen to give the SAS boys something to exercise with (I'd say they're the lads that will be requiring them the most) and a few a Tindal in Katherine just for dispersal purposes.

I'm sure that shouldn't be a hard or to much added expense as you would think that the Apache would be readily deployable with their own mobile ground support units.

I don't think they can be spread around too much, it would spread the maintenance assests too thin. Some in Darwin, to support the Brigade up there, more in Townsville, to work with our new amphibious assets, and a couple in Oakey, for training. Something like that, but I'm sure the experts have it worked out.

[cripesamighty]

Hopefully they are not the same experts they used for the Seasprites and Tigers....
[bigwhistle]:wasntme:[bigsmile]

[FisherX]

but I'm sure the experts have it worked out.

OMG that's a laugh. How much experience do you have with the military?

They do sum pretty crazy ****.

[bob10]

OMG that's a laugh. How much experience do you have with the military?

They do sum pretty crazy ****.

Let's see, 21 years service, [ RAN ] Vietnam service, left the military a senior NCO. Been all around the World, worked with the US, UK , Canadian, French, NZ, German, Indian , plus various SE Asian military units. I do not consider my self an expert, just well travelled. And I agree with you completely. But we can only hope.

EDIT I left out the Iranian military, back when the Shah was in power.

[FisherX]

Me too. 24 years RAN, 1986 - 2010, Success, Tarakan, Stalwart, Darwin, Canberra, O boat training, Gawler, Gladstone and Ballarat. Shore Cerberus, Kuttabul, Zetland, Fleet Base West & East, DNB, Cairns and Waterhen.

[bob10]

Me too. 24 years RAN, 1986 - 2010, Success, Tarakan, Stalwart, Darwin, Canberra, O boat training, Gawler, Gladstone and Ballarat. Shore Cerberus, Kuttabul, Zetland, Fleet Base West & East, DNB, Cairns and Waterhen.

Boats? Know an Ian Sinclair? [ C.O.B. on Otama I think] You joined. the year after I left . Wollongong was my last sea draft.