Between 1965 and you may 1972 parts of new Ran undertook persisted operational solution inside Vietnam. The brand new RAN’s primary contribution consisted of destroyers, Fleet Sky Arm team connected with a great Us (US) Military physical violence chopper business together with Royal Australian Heavens Force’s (RAAF’s) No. 9 Squadron, an approval Dive Group, and you will a logistic help force consisting of transportation and you can escort boats. Almost every other Ran employees served ashore inside the scientific organizations otherwise performed team responsibilities within Australian Embassy in the Saigon and/or Australian Task Push Headquarters from inside the Nui Dat. New Ran Fleet Ring together with accomplished a short journey out-of Vietnam amusing troops during the symptoms regarding rest and athletics (RR).
The Vietnam Battle wasn’t a markedly naval disagreement but also for the latest 13,five hundred members of the fresh new Ran exactly who watched energetic service it had been surely a top tempo environment. The RAN’s sum, regardless if quick when compared with regarding the us Navy (USN), try varied and played an important part on the Australian Pushes total union.
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. 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 latest Navy performed many different operational work at ocean, ashore and in the air
Surely among the smallest, and you may matchless, Australian tools so you’re able to suffice from inside the Vietnam try Australian Approval Plunge Team Three (CDT3). These people were an elite group away from forty-two officials and you how much are prostitutes in Watford will guys; divers been trained in this new hazardous team out-of volatile ordnance fingertips, who based an enviable reputation of courage and you will invention in time away from combat in the soul of your diver’s motto “United and you can Undaunted”.
The fresh new Ran formally depending an approval Dive part inside the 1951, and you may a mobile Approval Plunge Party when you look at the 1956. Into the s was indeed commissioned when you look at the Sydney – CDT1 and you will CDT2. Shortly thereafter CDT1 deployed to possess teaching for the South east Asia, plus 1 week within the Vietnam performing operations with regards to Western alternatives. The newest Dominating Manager out of CDT1 is actually of view that good Went dive party would make a worthwhile share for the Australian effort in the Vietnam and better if CDT1 feel deployed to have a great 3 to 6 times several months. The brand new Went recognized the forming of CDT3 in the later 1966 since the one part of a more impressive naval share to the battle from inside 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.