Inspection – RAAF Base Townsville

On 26 February 2025 the Tribunal conducted an inspection of the RAAF Base Townsville, attending the headquarters and units of the 16^th Aviation Brigade.

The purpose of the inspection was to provide the Tribunal with an opportunity to gain an understanding of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Army Aviation capability, and provide further content in support of the ADF’s submissions into Matter 2 of 2025 Army Aviation Restructure of Employment Categories Other Ranks and Matter 3 of 2025 Army Aviation Workforce Review Officer Aviation. Additionally, the inspection provided supplementary context for the Tribunal’s consideration of the ADF submission in Matter 4 of 2025 Targeted Workforce Segments.

The Tribunal members were welcomed by Lieutenant Colonel Chris Kassulke, Manager of the Army Aviation Capability Review and Workforce Segment Review Implementation, and heard from several speakers who outlined the drivers for change with respect to modernisation of Army Aviation capability, aircraft and workforce.

The Tribunal attended practical demonstrations including pre-flight mission briefings, aviation operations support, aircraft maintenance capability, refuelling and re-arming, and aircraft operator preparation.

The Aeronautical Life Support Equipment facility then conducted a passenger briefing session for the inspection party and fitted them with headsets before they boarded a Chinook flight. This allowed Tribunal members an opportunity to observe the work value and skills of Aeronautical Life Support personnel, providing valuable insights in support of the ADF’s submissions into Matter 9 of 2025 Air Force Aeronautical Life Support Fitter.