RAAF 9 Squadron
Albatross to Black Hawk:
A Historical Record
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...
13 April 1966-8 May 1967
9 Squadron South Vietnam 1966-1967 9 Squadron RAAF departure from Butterworth Malaysia to Vung Tau, South Vietnam 13 April 1966. Arrival at Vung Tau. Tent City. 34528 Douglas (Jock) Bowie exiting from the Ettamoogah Pub, Tent City. 110259 Don Hull at Tent City....
Vietnamese & Australian joint operations 1969
Vietnamese & Australians on joint operation DPR/TV/1201 The seven-week marriage of an Australian infantry company with a Vietnamese battalion ends this week in a five-day operation in the hills north-west of the Task Force base at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province,...
11 May 1970 Engine change in the field
Record time for chopper engine change On May 10, 1970, an Iroquis of 9 Squadron was in preparation to take off from Kanga Pad at Nui Dat, the 1st Australian Task Force Base. Once checks were complete, the helicopter began lift-off by entering into a hover. While...
![Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk [A25]](https://raafdocumentary.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/Australian_Army_Black_Hawk_Zhu-2-2-400x250.jpg)
Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk [A25]
The Sikorsky S-70 is an American medium transport/utility helicopter family manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It was developed for the United States Army in the 1970s, winning a competition to be designated the UH-60 Black Hawk and spawning a large family in U.S....
OFF–DUTY ACTIVITIES, No. 9 SQUADRON RAAF SVN PERSONNEL
OFF–DUTY ACTIVITIES, No. 9 SQUADRON RAAF SVN PERSONNEL IntroductionConsidering the hectic tempo and very high flying hour rate of the daily Iroquois helicopter (planned and un-planned) flying operations, all No. 9 Squadron people valued their off – duty time, even...
Battle of Long Tan
During the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966 two No. 9 Squadron Iroquois flown by Flight Lieutenants Cliff Dohle and Frank Riley completed a hazardous mission to resupply D Company, 6 RAR which was heavily outnumbered and running dangerously low on ammunition. The...
9SQN Formation 1939
No. 9 Squadron was formed on 1 January 1939 at RAAF Base Richmond by renumbering No. 5 Squadron. On formation, the squadron’s first commanding officer was a Royal Air Force officer, Squadron Leader J.A.S. Brown. As Australia’s only fleet co-operation squadron No. 9...
Short Stories from Vietnam by Lloyd Knight
Foreword Like many veterans of many wars, I have seldom told of my combat/overseas encounters. I did write a novel, Rainbow, No End, which contains some of my experiences in Korea and Japan in 1953. However, most of that story is a blend of real and imaginary events....
Recollections by Wing Commander Peter Spurgin
Recollections by Wing Commander Peter Spurgin, Commanding Officer No. 9 Squadron. January 1981 - November 1982 Overview During this period, No 9 Sqn was involved in, inter alia: Army support including troop training and Gunship fire-power demonstrations; Tactical...
Recollections by Wing Commander Nick Leray-Meyer
Recollections by Wing Commander Nick Leray-Meyer AM Commanding Officer No. 9 Squadron RAAF. 2 January 1979 - 13 January 1981 Notification In early 1978, having just (somewhat reluctantly) settled into a new staff officer position at the newly formed Chief of Air Force...