Ranging from 1965 and 1972 parts of the new Went undertook continued operational provider into the Vietnam. The new RAN’s top share contained destroyers, Fleet Heavens Sleeve teams linked to a Us (US) Military assault helicopter organization while the Regal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) No. nine Squadron, an approval Plunge People, and you will an effective logistic service force including transportation and escort boats. Most other Ran teams served ashore for the medical groups otherwise performed team commitments from the Australian Embassy into the Saigon or the Australian Activity Push Headquarters during the visit our main web site Nui Dat. The fresh new Ran Fleet Band also completed a preliminary tour of Vietnam humorous soldiers through the attacks away from other individuals and you can recreation (RR).
The Vietnam War wasn’t a significantly naval disagreement however for the new 13,500 members of the fresh Went whom saw active provider it had been positively a premier tempo ecosystem. The latest RAN’s sum, regardless of if brief when compared with that of the united states Navy (USN), is varied and played an essential part in 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. 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 period the brand new Navy did multiple working jobs during the ocean, ashore and also in the air
Without doubt one of the littlest, and you will unique, Australian units to serve inside Vietnam try Australian Approval Diving Party About three (CDT3). They were an elite group out-of forty two officers and you may men; divers competed in the newest hazardous company regarding explosive ordnance convenience, exactly who mainly based an enviable history of bravery and you will development in the long run out of combat regarding the heart of your own diver’s motto “United and Undaunted”.
The fresh Went officially dependent an approval Dive department when you look at the 1951, and you can a cellular Clearance Diving Party for the 1956. Into the s had been commissioned inside the Questionnaire – CDT1 and you may CDT2. Quickly thereafter CDT1 deployed having knowledge within the South-east China, including one week from inside the Vietnam performing procedures with the Western alternatives. This new Ruling Administrator regarding CDT1 try of your look at that a great Ran plunge people would make an advisable contribution towards Australian energy inside Vietnam and you will recommended that CDT1 getting deployed to own an excellent 3 to 6 week months. The new Went acknowledged the synthesis of CDT3 in the late 1966 since the you to definitely part of a larger naval sum for the conflict 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.