Nov 3, 2025 | 9SQN Second Era, 9SQN Vietnam
In April 1961, the Royal Australian Air Force ordered eight Bell Iroquois utility helicopters, designated HU-1B, from the Bell Helicopter Company in the United States. The U.S. Army later redesignated these as UH-1B. Known within the RAAF as ‘Bravos,’ these gas...
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...
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...
Sep 13, 2022 | 9SQN 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...
Sep 6, 2022 | 9SQN 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...
Apr 5, 2022 | 9SQN 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...