Ranging from 1965 and 1972 areas of the Went undertook proceeded working service inside the Vietnam. The fresh new RAN’s top sum consisted of destroyers, Collection Sky Sleeve team connected with a great United states (US) Army assault chopper business therefore the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) No. 9 Squadron, a clearance Diving People, and you can a great logistic assistance force consisting of transport and you can escort vessels. Most other Ran group supported ashore within the medical organizations or did group duties at Australian Embassy during the Saigon or even the Australian Task Force Headquarters when you look at the Nui Dat. The newest Ran Fleet Ring including complete an initial tour from Vietnam entertaining soldiers throughout the episodes from rest and you will sport (RR).
The fresh new Vietnam Battle was not a markedly naval disagreement but for the fresh new 13,five hundred people in new Ran exactly who noticed energetic provider it was absolutely a premier speed environment. New RAN’s sum, though short in comparison to that the us Navy (USN), was diverse and you may starred an important part on the Australian Pushes full partnership.
Very early goodwill visits
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. 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 period the latest Navy performed various functional tasks on sea, ashore plus the atmosphere
Undoubtedly among minuscule, and you can matchless, Australian equipment in order to suffice in the Vietnam is Australian Clearance Diving Team Around three (CDT3). They were a professional out-of forty two officials and you can dudes; divers been trained in the fresh new unsafe business out-of explosive ordnance orhidi.com blog link disposal, just who dependent an enviable history of bravery and you will innovation over the years regarding combat regarding heart of the diver’s motto “Joined and Undaunted”.
The new Ran officially established an approval Diving part during the 1951, and you will a mobile Clearance Diving Group from inside the 1956. In the s have been accredited within the Questionnaire – CDT1 and CDT2. Shortly thereafter CDT1 implemented to possess practise in South east China, in addition to 1 week within the Vietnam performing procedures due to their Western equivalents. The latest Ruling Manager out of CDT1 is actually of your own look at one to an effective Went dive group tends to make a worthwhile contribution to your Australian efforts into the Vietnam and you will recommended that CDT1 getting deployed to own a beneficial 3 to 6 month months. The Went acknowledged the synthesis of CDT3 during the later 1966 because the that section of a much bigger naval sum towards combat in 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.