Military Photos Commonwealth
9-Squadron RAAF RAN
Early in 1966 the Australian Government decided to increase the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) active commitment in Vietnam . Later that year on 12 June, No. 9 Squadron RAAF arrived in Vung Tau equipped with eight Iroquois UH-1B helicopters.
The squadron was posted to Vietnam with the specific task of operating in direct support of the 1st Australian Task Force which was based at Nui Dat, a rubber plantation situated in the centre of Phuoc Tuy Province, about eighteen miles due north of the Vung Tau air base.
In the later part of 1967, the RAAF began to replace 9 Squadron's UH-1B aircraft with the larger and more powerful UH-1H variant. At the same time the squadron's strength was to be doubled from eight to sixteen helicopters. Due to the RAAF's other commitments in Vietnam , Malaysia and within Australia , this decision resulted in a severe shortage of airforce pilots and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) was asked to fill the gap temporarily. Consequently eight RAN Fleet Air Arm pilots were assigned for duties with 9 Squadron in 1968.
9-Squadron RAAF RAN
Early in 1966 the Australian Government decided to increase the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) active commitment in Vietnam . Later that year on 12 June, No. 9 Squadron RAAF arrived in Vung Tau equipped with eight Iroquois UH-1B helicopters.
The squadron was posted to Vietnam with the specific task of operating in direct support of the 1st Australian Task Force which was based at Nui Dat, a rubber plantation situated in the centre of Phuoc Tuy Province, about eighteen miles due north of the Vung Tau air base.
In the later part of 1967, the RAAF began to replace 9 Squadron's UH-1B aircraft with the larger and more powerful UH-1H variant. At the same time the squadron's strength was to be doubled from eight to sixteen helicopters. Due to the RAAF's other commitments in Vietnam , Malaysia and within Australia , this decision resulted in a severe shortage of airforce pilots and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) was asked to fill the gap temporarily. Consequently eight RAN Fleet Air Arm pilots were assigned for duties with 9 Squadron in 1968.