| Accession Number | P05707.063 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Maker |
Speedy, Ian Maxwell (Max) |
| Place made | Vietnam: South Vietnam |
| Date made | c September 1968-October 1969 |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright |
An unidentified crew chief of the 135th Assault Helicopter Company (135th AHC), United States ...
Description
An unidentified crew chief of the 135th Assault Helicopter Company (135th AHC), United States Army, performs his end of day maintenance checks on the rotor head of an Iroquois helicopter. The crew chiefs work hard, long hours doing the basic work on the aircraft and also fly on missions as gunners. Maintenance teams work mostly at night, often under torch light, to repair and replace parts on damaged aircraft so that they are ready to fly the next day. 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. Based originally at Vung Tau Air Base, the company moved to Fire Support Base Black Horse near Xuan Loc in December 1967. In November 1968 the unit was moved to Bearcat Base, north east of Saigon. Throughout their service in Vietnam members of RANHFV provided tactical airlift and gunship support for Australian and allied ground forces.