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Australian Army Chinook “Good as Gold” has officially arrived at Anzac Hall in the Australian War Memorial.
CH-47D Chinook A15-202, also known as “Centaur” or “Good as Gold”, was one of the first two Australian Chinooks deployed to Afghanistan in 2006.
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The aircraft served with C Squadron of the 5th Aviation Regiment in the Australian Army from 2000 until its retirement on 19 April 2016.
It saw extensive service in Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper, where it took part in combat operations. The aircraft was damaged by enemy fire during a troop insertion in Afghanistan in 2009, and its pilot, Captain Michael Whitney, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for distinguished leadership in action.
“We (have) welcomed the highly anticipated Chinook into the Memorial’s new Anzac Hall (from Treloar Technology Centre),” according to a spokesperson from the Australian War Memorial.
“CH-47D Chinook A15-202 was damaged during a Special Forces operation in 2009. After completing three more rotations to Afghanistan, it will now take its place in our new galleries; helping us share the stories of Australia’s modern veterans.”
The American-designed and made medium lift, twin rotor multi-role helicopter was used for battlefield support missions. “Good as Gold” was previously repaired after sustaining damage to its rotor blades during a hail storm at Kandahar airfield in April 2013. In addition, its aircraft fuselage was pierced by small arms fire in 2009.
The Australian War Memorial’s Anzac Hall is scheduled for completion before Anzac Day 2026.
