RAAF 9 Squadron
Albatross to Black Hawk:
A Historical Record
Huey Support in Vietnam
HUEY SUPPORT IN VIETNAM – AVM EM WELLER, AM (RAAF RETIRED) – PRESENTATION TO CONFERENCE ‘CHOPPERS, HELICOPTERS AND THE WAR IN VIETNAM’ – MILITARY HISTORY AND HERITAGE VICTORIA INC – 20TH APRIL 2013 At the outset, I need to qualify this article to the extent that it is...
BRIEF HISTORY OF No 9 SQUADRON RAAF AND AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE IN VIETNAM
‘Mac' Weller wrote the summary of 9SQN maintenance in Vietnam in late 1971. Mac was posted out of the squadron after his 12 month tour late Nov 71 and the Armament Officer, FLTLT John Payne, returned to Australia with the squadron aircraft on HMAS Sydney. (John was...
First RAAF Wounded in Vietnam
Throughout their time in Vietnam, the crew of 9 Squadron would come under enemy fire time and time again, and this would only increase in likelihood as the war went on. However, during the initial days of the conflict, many pilots and crewmen were not yet exposed to...
New Hueys arrive for 9 Squadron, October 29, 1962
Since its reformation in the early 1960s, the crew of 9 Squadron had trained on and eventually operated the newly purchased Bell UH-1 Iroquis. Following a government order for eight of the new helicopters in April 1961, an RAAF crew were sent to train on the aircraft....
7 November 1967
Caribou transport aircraft of No 35 Squadron, RAAF supported by Iroquois helicopters of No 9 Squadron RAAF rushed urgently needed supplies to the First Australian Task Force who were on a search and destroy operation aimed at Viet Cong logistics in Phuoc Tuy Province....
9 Squadron gets the Black Hawk
After many years of operating the UH-1 Iroquis, it was decided that a new helicopter was needed for the modern era. One of the squadrons with the privilege of taking part in this new adoption process was No. 9 Squadron. In February of 1988, the squadron began to train...
28 July 1967
Iroquois helicopters of No.9 Squadron RAAF have been busy in support of ground troops in Phuoc Tuy Province South Vietnam. A field HQ was set up near the district capital of Xuyen Moc (pronounced Swan Mok) to plan missions in operations against the Viet Cong. An...
June 1969
Bushranger helicopter gunship being rearmed before flight. People Identified in this video: Wing Commander John Paule at 03:02:10 Source: Australian War Memorial 4251404
1970 RAAF helicopters in Vietnam
Luscombe Airfield, Nui Dat, South Vietnam, 1970. Aerial of formations of Iroquois helicopters of No. 9 Squadron RAAF, rotors idling on runway. Iroquois take off. Air to air shots of formation of Iroquois, Iroquois streaming smoke. Iroquois fly over Vung Tau. Ground...
Return of No. 9 Squadron to Amberly December 1971
It had been decided that from November 1970 onwards, a full Australian withdrawal would commence. Over the following twelve months, Australian forces were given the long task of packing up and moving out of Vietnam. Despite this, heavy fighting continued across the...
Medical evacuation by helicopters in Vietnam 7 August 1969
While the UH-1 Iroquis has become a symbol of the Vietnam conflict, often seen in footage providing close air support or transporting soldiers from one location to the next, it is perhaps best remembered for its role in saving lives. Throughout their time in Vietnam,...
2 October 1969
This RAAF PR/TV news item is a condensed general coverage of No. 9 Iroquois Squadron daily activities in South Vietnam. Item shows RAAF fitters servicing Iroquois helicopters, helicopters in flight - including a sequence of a gunship in action supporting other...
1969 – 1971
"Charlie's complaint: Vung Tau": Home movie relating to the service of O224149 Flying Officer Bevin John Pettitt, 9 Squadron RAAF in South Vietnam. Footage includes: An Australian unit (SAS?) prepares for patrol at Nui Dat Airfield, boarding a fleet of RAAF Bell UH-1...
Landing trials on HMAS Tobruk – Feb 12, 1982
A few notes on the Tobruk trials by Rob Haylock: Before the planned self-deploying PNG trip, we had to do some training with the HMAS Tobruk, a Landing Ship Transport, LST, and at the time, the Flagship of the Navy. We took 2 choppers and flew to the Tobruk, just...
6 September 1968
The Chief of Air Staff, (CAS) Air Marshal Sir Alister Murdoch accompanied by his personal staff officer, Wing Commander R.P. Joske of Canberra, commenced his tour with discussions with Allied commanders at the Free World HQ Saigon. Later with the commander of RAAF...
16 August 1967
During operation Ballarat, Australian troops made contact with Viet Cong in thick jungle. RAAF No. 9 Squadron was scrambled to evacuate Australian casualties. Because of the thick jungle helicopters were unable to land and were winched up. United States helicopter gun...
21 December 1967
RAAF officers test-fire a new defensive weapons system for an Iroquois helicopter. The weapon consists of twin M60 machine guns mounted on a monopod with 400 round magazines. It was designed by Flight Lieutenant Bob Thompson and adapted and built by No. 9 Squadron's...
15 April 1970
The new commander of the RAAF Vietnam, Air Commodore C.H. Spurgeon, spent his first four days in that country on a familiarisation tour of RAAF units, before taking over his new command. He was accompanied by the outgoing commander, Air Commodore F.S. Robey. They...
May 1968 film reel
May 1968 Refurbishing the 'Albert Ross' (Albatross from the emblem of the 9 Squadron Crest) A leisure pontoon using fighter jet drop tanks for floats, helicopter seats, an Eski ice box, outboard motor surry sun cover over the top. Bell UH-1H Iroquois helicopter...
9 August 1967
This RAAF news item shows Iroquois helicopters of No. 9 Squadron RAAF working in support of ground troops. helicopter crew briefing at HQ; preparation and take off; landing, taking on water and "C" rations for an artillery position; take off and landing wounded...
18 June 1970 – 40,000 flight time
June 18, 1970 marked an important day for 9 Squadron. After four years of the Huey, a new and impressive milestone had been reached; 40,000 hours of flight time. For 9 Squadron, most of these hours had been logged in South Vietnam. In particular, operational sorties...