Huey gunships gone

Iroquois gunships make their final flight, passing over Brisbane as part of weekend ceremonies to mark the ships’ retirement. Photo by Ashley Roach

By Paul Lineham

Farewell
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THE familiar and comforting thumping sound of four Hueys in a low formation flypast over Brisbane on Saturday June 26, heralded the start of the weekend ceremonies for the retirement of the Iroquois Bushranger gunship capability.

Eight Bushrangers, flown by 171 Op Sup Sqn at Oakey, will have their rocket pods and mini-guns removed, converting them back to “slicks” to be used as troop transports – the same role they had been sent to Vietnam to fulfil 35 years before.

It was there, in Air Force colours and flown by 9 Sqn, that now retired Wg-Cmdr Brian Dirou developed the gunship concept – a capability that was to last for the next 35 years.

CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove said the gunships had special meaning because the tremendous firepower, and the guts and determination of the people flying the helicopters, saved Australian lives on the ground in Vietnam.

“I’ve personally had the support of these sorts of aircraft in combat,” he said.

“Soldiers know that if Australian aviators flying armed helicopters are in support of them then they are very lucky.”

Former OC 9 Sqn and CAF AM Angus Houston, who flew one of the gunships in the farewell flypast, said the Bushranger demonstrated the great ingenuity, great innovation and the great improvisation of Aussies on operations.

He said the Bushranger role was absolutely vital in Vietnam, providing accurate close air support to troops on the ground in a joint operation, with 9 Sqn working very closely with the Army.

“It was very much a team effort, and that’s what we try to do today,” he said.

The gunship capability will be taken over by the new Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), due for delivery from December 15.

CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy said the Tiger would give increased capability in surveillance, reconnaissance and firepower, making it the ideal replacement for the Huey gunships.

He said the day was about celebrating the Air Force and Army, and the men who had crewed the Bushranger helicopters.