Between 1965 and 1972 components of new Went undertook persisted operational provider from inside the Vietnam. Brand new RAN’s top contribution consisted of destroyers, Collection Heavens Sleeve teams attached to an effective Us (US) Army physical violence chopper organization and Regal Australian Sky Force’s (RAAF’s) Zero. nine Squadron, an approval Diving People, and a logistic help force consisting of transport and you will escort boats. Other Ran group offered ashore in the medical teams or did teams requirements at Australian Embassy during the Saigon or even the Australian Activity Push Headquarters inside the Nui Dat. The fresh Went Fleet Band as well as completed a preliminary tour from Vietnam amusing troops through the episodes out of other individuals and you will recreation (RR).
The newest Vietnam Conflict wasn’t a markedly naval disagreement but for brand new 13,five-hundred members of the Ran which noticed energetic solution it actually was definitely a leading tempo environment. The fresh RAN’s contribution, no matter if short when compared with that of the united states Navy (USN), was diverse and you will starred an important part regarding the Australian Forces full connection.
Very early goodwill check outs
Though the RAN did not become operationally involved in the Vietnam conflict until 1965, HMA Ships Vampire and Quickmatch were the first ships in the area when they made a goodwill visit to Saigon in 1962. They were followed the next year by the Q Class destroyers HMA Ships Quiberon and Queenborough Oxford roomates escort. These were not operational visits: but designed to show Australian government support for the government in Saigon, and members of the ship’s company visited the Vietnamese Special Forces training centre and carried out other ‘flag showing’ activities. During the 1963 visit the small Vietnamese naval vessel K? Hoa accidently rammed and holed Quiberon while coming alongside her.
During this time the fresh new Navy did many different operational work on sea, ashore as well as in the air
Undoubtedly one of several tiniest, and you can unrivalled, Australian tools so you’re able to suffice inside the Vietnam try Australian Approval Dive Team About three (CDT3). These were a top-notch from forty-two officers and you will dudes; scuba divers trained in this new harmful team off explosive ordnance discretion, whom based a desirable reputation of bravery and you will innovation with time off war regarding spirit of one’s diver’s motto “United and Undaunted”.
The new Ran formally situated an approval Diving branch during the 1951, and you may a mobile Clearance Diving Team in 1956. Inside s was accredited during the Sydney – CDT1 and you will CDT2. Eventually after that CDT1 implemented getting exercises within the South-east Asia, plus 1 week in Vietnam performing procedures along with their Western competitors. This new Commanding Manager out-of CDT1 is of your look at you to a great Went dive cluster tends to make a worthwhile sum toward Australian effort in the Vietnam and better if CDT1 end up being implemented for an excellent three to six few days period. The newest Went approved the synthesis of CDT3 for the late 1966 given that one part of a bigger naval share on the combat during the Vietnam.
The first contingent of six personnel arrived in Vietnam on 6 February 1967 and were initially attached to a United States Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team based in Saigon. They then moved to Vung Tau and assumed responsibility for the defence of shipping against enemy attack, known as Operation STABLE DOOR. The team was responsible for searching the hulls and anchor cables of shipping in the Vung Tau anchorages or alongside, for improvised explosive devices. In one particular incident, Viet Cong sappers penetrated the Vung Tau port area and placed home made and Russian limpet mines on the hull of the MV Heredia and a nearby wharf. The home made device partially exploded during search operations, and team members removed the Russian mine. Additional tasks included the salvage of downed military helicopters, searching villages for ammunition caches and demolishing Viet Cong cave and tunnel complexes.
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