Units on the way home DPR/TV/1458

On their way home aboard HMAS Sydney at the moment are the main bodies of artillery, cavalry, engineer and signals units which for the past five and a half years have supported Australian Task Force operations in Vietnam. Before boarding the troop carrier off Vung Tau last weekend (November 6-7), when the Australian Force ended its combat role, considerable effort was required in preparing the units' vehicles, guns, armoured personnel carriers and stores for their return to Australia. One aspect of the preparations was a quarantine inspection by Mr Max Penfold of Manly, NSW, an officer detached from the New South Wales Agriculture Department to the Australian Task Force at Vung Tau. Having passed the inspection, the equipment and stores were then moved to holding areas or to the wharf to await movement to the ship. However, before the quarantine inspection and movement to the wharf, the vehicles were subjected to vigorous washing and preservation, which included servicing, steam cleaning, re-painting and rustproofing. From the wharf, the stores, equipment and vehicles were loaded onto barges and ferried to the Sydney. Troops were moved from St Kilda heli-pad at the Task Force to the troop carrier by RAAF Iroquois helicopters. The units which are returning to Australia on this voyage of the Sydney are 12 Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery; A Squadron, 3 Cavalry Regiment, 104 Signals Squadron; and 17 Construction Squadron and 1 Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers. Also identified: Lieutenant (Lt) Craig Steel of Thornleigh, NSW, Hygiene Officer at 1ATF; 220058 Private Brian Ronald Holahan of Bingara, NSW, 2 AOD; Warrant Officer 2 Danny Armstrong of Fremantle, WA, Hygiene WO 1ATF; Lt Graeme Webb of Greenwich, NSW.