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http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story ... id=2187380

The first casualty of war is subtlety

By LUKE McILVEEN


[img]http://images.news.com.au/thedailytelegraph/2187381_heli.jpg[/img]
November 3, 2004

THE Australian Army's Iroquois helicopters are officially our most offensive weapons – but it has nothing to do with their ability to wage war.


Gold Coast Indy Grand Prix spectators were shocked two weeks ago when a chopper roared past with a sign ordering onlookers to "show us your tits."

They were supposed to be looking out for terrorists, but the only targets the chopper's four crewmen were interested in wore bikinis.


Now the soldiers behind the prank have been stood down pending an investigation.


The crew of the helicopter was protecting tens of thousands of onlookers who crammed the streets and high-rise apartments surrounding the race track.


They had flown down from the army base at Oakey, near Toowoomba, home of No. 171 Operational Support Squadron.




Their moment of madness was captured by an onlooker, who snapped a picture of the sign and put it on the internet.


"An Army Iroquois helicopter displayed an inappropriate sign at the Gold Coast Grand Prix on October 23," a Department of Defence spokeswoman said yesterday.


"This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and will not be condoned by the Australian Army. An investigation is under way and the crew has been stood down from flying duties."





The aircraft – Iroquois A2-295 – has previously served with distinction in Bougainville