New helicopter service for Australians DPR/TV/675

Troops of the 1st Australian Logistic Support Group based at Vung Tau this week saw one of the United States' helicopter in Vietnam - giant CH-54 commonly know as the Skycrane. This helicopter has a lifting capacity of 9 tons and its arrival at Vung Tau marked the opening of "Saint Kilda" pad. This is a 400 by 350 yard, tar sealed landing zone, which will be the delivery point for heavy supplies and equipment for the Australians. Against a background of the copter's giant rotor blades, American experts explained features of the Skycrane to the Australians, and outlined its capabilities. Then the aerial colossus lifted up from the pad, and as the Australians watched, the heavy winching assembly was attached to an 8-ton load of 105mm artillery ammunition. The troops saw the heavy load plucked into the sky and held hovering at a height of about 90 feet, as the Skycrane showed its unusual lifting ability. Skycranes will be used to lift urgent heavy cargoes to the Australians, either at the Task Force base, or directly to troops in the field, where "Operation Ballarat" ended today. [Identified personnel: Sergeant Neville Fox of Inala, Qld; Cpl Tom Johns of Townsville, Qld.]