Australian Army Readies Second UH-60M Black Hawk Training Node

Australia’s Department of Defence announced in July, that the Army’s second UH-60M Black Hawk operating node had been established at the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey, with the transfer of three UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters.

“Locating elements of the Black Hawk fleet at Swartz Barracks is crucial to fulfilling Defence’s utility helicopter requirements, and is the next step in establishing a sovereign UH-60M training capability,” Defence said in a release issued last month.

The army had initially introduced its UH-60M Black Hawks at Holsworthy Barracks in NSW and the Army Aviation Training Centre will transfer flying training to Oakey from 2026, progressing to achieving full training capacity from 2029.

“The modernisation of Army’s aviation capabilities is providing our soldiers with the enhanced situational awareness, tactical speed, reach, and firepower required to protect Australia and our national interests,” Commander of the Australian Army’s Aviation Command, Major General David Hafner said.

The Army Aviation Training Centre and 5th Aviation Regiment will have a total of 18 UH-60M Black Hawks based out of Oakey by 2030.