Article Posted on : - Jun 08, 2011

Sea King Shark 07.

CANBERRA (BNS): Australian Defence Ministry has announced to bid adieu to the armed forces aging fleet of Sea King Shark 07 helicopters.

The vintage helicopter will be preserved at Nowra’s Fleet Air Arm Museum after its retirement.

“The Sea King has served our nation well over the last 36 years and it is fitting that an example of this Navy work horse is preserved here in Nowra,” Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare said.

Nowra was chosen to receive the Sea King helicopter because it has been the home base for the Navy’s Sea King operations with 817 Squadron since 1974.

The Sea Kings are known as the workhorse of the Navy. It is large enough to pick up loads heavier than a Land Rover.

The RAN’s last Sea Kings will be withdrawn from service in December 2011.