Ode to Vietnam chopper crews
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operated H-13 Sioux and UH-1 Iroquois (“Huey”) helicopters during the Vietnam War, but the most iconic was the UH-1 Iroquois, which became synonymous with troop transport and medevac operations.
Australian Hueys in Vietnam:
- The RAAF’s No. 9 Squadron deployed 16 UH-1 Iroquois helicopters to Vietnam in 1966.
- These helicopters were primarily used for:
- Troop insertion and extraction.
- Medical evacuations.
- Resupply missions.
- Fire support and reconnaissance.
The squadron served until 1971, when Australia began withdrawing its forces. At any one time, the number of Hueys in operation would vary due to rotation, losses, and replacements, but 16 operational aircraft was the standard.
The total number of Hueys (from all countries) that served in Vietnam, the U.S. military deployed approximately 7,013 Hueys during the war.
The Sky Angels.
No matter what they do or say, nothing will ever replace the Huey Chopper as the Soldier’s Sky Angel’s. The sound of their Rotors can be heard many miles away. They came when others hesitated, They Saved when others doubted, they flew in a sky full of shrapnel and fire when others sat and waited, they came no matter what others may have said, they were our brothers from the Sky. Young and skilled and thankfully they were on our side.
Will never forget that sound, & the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!
9 SQN choppers only went to drop ammo to D COY 6RAR at long tan when the Yanks said they would
The Air Force Chiefs of 9 Sqn RAAF had already layed out ground rules no RAAF helicopters were allowed to fly at night or IFR the whole Long Tan battle was in heavy monsoon conditions and the RAAF pilots had to brake those rules to get the job done the US would not have achieved this if they had tried.