Says It's Just A "Pause" To Reflect On Maintenance Issues

Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill Wednesday denied that his country's navy has grounded its fleet of helicopters, saying instead that there is a "pause" in operations while the fleet studies maintenance practices.

"There is a pause in operations whilst various maintenance issues are looked at," Senator Hill told reporters in Perth. "These things happen from time to time but the helicopter fleet has not been grounded as I've been advised at this point." Hill was quoted by The Age newspaper.

Hill's comments directly contradicted earlier statements by a Defense Ministry spokesman who said the helicopter fleet had been grounded in the wake of a Sea King crash in Indonesia last April. Nine servicemen died in the mishap. While some Australian media have reported the "pause" is aimed at dealing with Sea King issues, at least one source says that's not the case. Australian Navy pilots also fly Seahawk, Seasprite and Squirrel aircraft.

"There is no blanket cessation of flying. However there may be some adjustments to operational flying programs. The review should be completed this week," the unidentified spokesman told The Age.

FMI: www.navy.gov.au