Graham Wallace Neil as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) RAAF interviewed by Greg Swanborough for 'The sharp end'

Scene 24 take1. Fighter pilot in the RAAF; trained in Australia; conversions in Vietnam; he most of his work in III Corps; role of the FAC was act as the between the troops on the ground and the fighter support aircraft; communications on were not always compatible had to translate as the terminology complicated was not always the same; insure the safety of the ground troops safe with minimum distances and that the fighters were pointing in the right direction from the right target; marking targets; insure safety of the fighter from friendly artillery fire and where possible advice on ground fire; advice on best bale out areas; visual reconnaissance all day every day for three hours; constant reconnaissance gave the FAC a knowledge of the area and ability to notice subtle difference; South Vietnamese though they had older aircraft were combat capable and more experienced than Australian or US pilots; South Vietnamese flew piston engine A-1 Skyraider and F-5 and A-37 jet aircraft; Vietnamese were cavalier and would look for targets to attack they would call the FACs and sometimes difficulties to control them especially as only the lead pilot would speak English; any instructions given had to allow for translation; difference of role between ground troops and aviators – would be divorced if wasn’t for the radio traffic; New Zealand air controllers; only six RAAF fighter pilots gained experience flying fighter aircraft in South Vietnam these were on exchange with the USAF.