"LOLOHO Beat - Up"

Iroquois UH-1H helicopters of 171 Operational Support Squadron, Royal Australian Army during Operation "Bel Isi", Bougainville 1998 - 2000.

171 OP SPT SQN was deployed to Bougainville in support of Operation "Bel Isi" in April 1998 to replace the RNZAF's 3 SQN. The squadron's first detachment, with three aircraft, was transported to the island on board HMAS Tobruk, arriving on 21 Apil 1998.

The Squadron operates UH-1H Iroquois, as did their 3 SQn predecessors. These aircraft were painted bright orange in order to differentiate them from PNGDF Iroquois.

Operations conducted by the Squadron during their deloyment were varied and included movement of personnel, casualty evacuation, resupply of remote team sites and patrol insertions. Flights were often conducted in extremes of weather, with low cloud, poor visibility and thunderstorms a constant in the tropical climate.

At the completion of the deployment, the Squadron had flown 8229.5 hours in support of the PMG. In the course of their activities, 97 casualty evacuations (local persons), 11 dustoffs (PMG members) and 5 immediate patrol extractions were conducted. In addition, 32,412 passengers and 1,346,250 lbs of cargo were carried.

The contribution the Squadron made to the peace process is evident in these figures and in the hearts and minds of the Bougainvillians, whose days must now seem incomplete without the sound and sight of the orange Hueys thundering overhead.

Standard Edition - Sold out!
30 Artist Proofs still available. Each signed by the Artist and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
Image Size 690mm x 450mm
Price $249.00 (AUS) + Postage