| Accession Number | P05707.051 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Maker |
Speedy, Ian Maxwell (Max) |
| Place made | Vietnam: Phuoc Tuy Province, Nui Dat |
| Date made | May 1969 |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright |
Members of the 2nd Contingent, RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANHFV), attend a barbecue with the ...
Description
Members of the 2nd Contingent, RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANHFV), attend a barbecue with the 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR) at the Australian Army base. Members of RANHFV and 7RAR had trained together at Nowra, NSW, in July 1968 prior to deployment. Left to right: 2751 Sub Lieutenant Warrick Ellis (Rick) Symons, (facing camera); 2267 Sub Lieutenant Charles Robert Richmond (Charlie) Rex, Pilot; and R37018 Petty Officer Airman Mechanic Airframes and Engines (POAMAE) Ronald Charles (Ron) Cole (right, back to camera). RANHFV is serving with the 135th Assault Helicopter Company (135th AHC), United States Army. The 2nd Contingent RANHFV were involved in only four assaults with the Australian soldiers from 1968 to 1969. Almost exclusively, the 2nd Contingent worked with the 7th Cavalry, United States Army or the 7th and 9th Divisions of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), in the II, III and IV Corps, as well as in the Saigon Special Zone. At one time in February 1969, the 135th AHC was on standby to evacuate the US Embassy in Saigon.