| Accession Number | P05707.050 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Transparency |
| Maker |
Speedy, Ian Maxwell (Max) |
| Place made | Vietnam: South Vietnam, Mekong Delta |
| Date made | December 1968 |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright |
The lead flight of five Iroquois helicopters of the 135th Assault Helicopter Company (135th AHC), ...
Description
The lead flight of five Iroquois helicopters of the 135th Assault Helicopter Company (135th AHC), United States Army fly over the Mekong Delta early in the morning. The helicopters are travelling from Bearcat Base to the Delta IV Corps, which is full of booby trapped landing zones and very active enemy troops (both Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) soldiers). RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANHFV) is serving with the 135th AHC. Due to its integrated nature, the unit is designated an ‘experimental military unit', with the nickname EMU. For many of the helicopter crews an abiding memory of these transit flights was listening to Armed Forces Radio Vietnam and the songs from 'Hair, The Musical' , including 'The Dawning of the Age of Aquarius'. Throughout their service in Vietnam members of RANHFV provided tactical airlift and gunship support for Australian and allied ground forces.