Four Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopters Pass Through CQ Airports Heading South to Assist with NSW Flood Emergency

An increase in Australian Defence Force (ADF) support during the current flooding crisis gripping parts of New South Wales saw four Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopters deploy from their Townsville base South to the flood zone via Mackay and Rockhampton Airports on Wednesday 24 March.

A40-001 departs Townsville  (Defence Image)

They were identified as A40-001 "Dropbear 103" and A40-016 "Warhorse 117", which both arrived at Rockhampton Airport direct from Townsville, while A40-023 "Kraken 11" and A40-031 "Destrier 114" departed Townsville and called into Mackay Airport before then also landing at Rockhampton Airport.

All four eventually continued from Rockhampton Airport to RAAF Base Amberley for an overnight stay.  It is assumed they will continue into New South Wales on Thursday 25 March.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has established Operation NSW Flood Assist 21 as part of the Australian Government’s response to the NSW flood emergency.  The ADF will provide aerial search and rescue and relief and recovery support to assist state and emergency services. This is in response to a request from the NSW State Emergency Operations Centre.

The ADF moved these four MRH-90 helicopters to support the NSW Government’s request for two helicopters to be available for search and rescue efforts on a 24 hour daily basis.