by Admin | Feb 21, 2023 | 9SQN Second Era, 9SQN Vietnam
I graduated from No 64 Pilots Course in February 1968 one of 21 new RAAF pilots. Eleven of us were subsequently posted to No 5 Squadron to fly the UH-1B Iroquois helicopter. By May the following year we had all been posted to No 9 Squadron South Vietnam on active...
by Admin | Feb 21, 2023 | 9SQN Second Era, 9SQN Vietnam
This note was written in October 2000 describing one junior ex 9 SQN pilot’s memories of 9 Squadron RAAF in Vietnam from March 1970 to May 1971. Please forward any corrections, additions, and comment, to either the Secretary or President of the 9 Squadron RAAF...
by Admin | Feb 2, 2022 | 9SQN Second Era
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....
by Admin | Jan 21, 2022 | 9SQN Second Era, Australian Army
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...
by Admin | Jan 14, 2021 | 9SQN Second Era, 9SQN Vietnam
In July 1968 a No. 9 Squadron ‘in-house’ Gunship Development commenced, led by (then) Squadron Leader Brian Dirou DFC, Pilot. The prototype aircraft was UH-1H A2-773 (displayed at the AWM in Canberra). Flight trials commenced and development continued until November....