No 9 Squadron, RAAF, Iroquois helicopters participated in 'Operation Canberra', during 6 October ...

No 9 Squadron, RAAF, Iroquois helicopters participated in 'Operation Canberra', during 6 October 1966-10 October 1966 in the Nui Dinh Mountains, South Vietnam. The RAAF were supporting the Australian Army, in particular, 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR), with the supply of food, water and ammunition. The large contact of Australian Forces with the Viet Cong (VC) in the Nui Dinh Mountains, north of Vung Tau, near Ba Ria, called for heavy mortar and artillery barrage. The helicopters were the only means of access in the rugged terrain. In two days the six RAAF helicopters flew in over 2,000 mortar bombs and completed over 400 sorties. No 9 Squadron, RAAF, were also responsible for quickly flying the wounded Australians (mainly from booby traps with claymore mines) back to skilled medical attention. Here No 9 Squadron, RAAF, Iroquois helicopter A2-1023 drops in on troops high in the Nui Dinh Mountains to bring them a hot breakfast, water and ammunition. The Mortar Platoon had the VC pinned down on the opposite ridge, and had kept up a barrage throughout the night with ammunition supplied by the Iroquois helicopters.