A Black Hawk helicopter, with more than three decades of service, is taking its final mission to the Australian War Memorial's new Anzac Atrium.
The aircraft, Black Hawk A25-112, is the first large object to be installed in the Atrium before it opens to the public this December.
Its final operational flight was in 2019, making it the first Black Hawk in the Memorial's collection and a centrepiece of the new space.
Major General (Retired) Steve Jobson, a member of the Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans Association, and a former pilot, lead humanitarian missions and saw extensive service in Army Black Hawks.
"The Black Hawk is more than an aircraft. It is a lifeline," MAJGEN (Rtd) Jobson said.
"It moved troops, evacuated the wounded, delivered aid, and gave reassurance in times of crisis. For those of us who flew it, the Black Hawk represents adaptability, courage and resilience."
The Director of the Australian War Memorial, Matt Anderson, said the installation of the Black Hawk is a milestone in telling the story of Australia's contemporary military history.
"For more than 30 years, Black Hawks like Saracen served in peacekeeping, humanitarian and combat operations," Mr Anderson said.
"Its arrival at the Memorial is symbolic of the people who flew, maintained, and relied on this remarkable aircraft.
"When visitors have the opportunity to see this most storied Black Hawk suspended in the Anzac Atrium I'm sure it will be a powerful reminder of the vital role aviation has played in Australia's story."
Emily Hyles, Assistant Curator at the Australian War Memorial, said the aircraft's placement in the Anzac Atrium will resonate with veterans and families alike.
"Black Hawks are remembered not just for their operational capability, but for the human stories tied to them," Ms Hyles said. "For thousands of soldiers, the sound of the Black Hawk was the sound of safety, of being brought home."
Mr Anderson said: "This December will mark the opening of the Anzac Atrium, with this iconic Australian aircraft and its stories at the heart of the visitor experience."
For background: About the Black Hawk helicopter
The Sikorsky S70A-9 Black Hawk replaced the Iroquois in 1989 and became one of the Army's most versatile workhorses. With the capacity to transport an 11-person infantry squad, deliver humanitarian aid, or conduct search and rescue, the Black Hawk provided critical support in both combat and community roles.
Saracen (A25-112) was delivered to the Australian Army's 5th Aviation Regiment in 1989 and went on to serve in operations across the Pacific and South Asia. Its deployments included:
- East Timor during and after the 1999 referendum (INTERFET), as well as further deployments in 2004, 2008 and 2011
- Humanitarian assistance in Pakistan (2006) and Papua New Guinea (2007)
- Operations in Bougainville (1994) and Fiji (2006)
