Historic handover

RAAFA ACT Division President WGCDR Ron Christie (ret’d) returns the No. 9 Squadron Plaque from Vung Tau HQ 1968 to AIRMSHL Houston, while Vice President John Grigsby, a former Sergeant, holds an inscribed RAAF Association Plaque. It was the first time in the RAAFA ACT Division’s history that a serving Chief of Air Force had attended a meeting.

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston received an historic No. 9 Squadron plaque after his recent address to the RAAF Association (RAAFA) ACT Division.

The plaque, originally attached to the front wall of 9SQN Headquarters in Vung Tau, Vietnam, was claimed as a memento in 1968.

Owing to his long-standing association with 9SQN, it was returned to AIRMSHL Houston.

AIRMSHL Houston served with 9SQN for two years from 1978, returning as Executive Officer in the early 1980s. In 1987, he assumed command of 9SQN in time for the introduction of the Black Hawks, the relocation of the unit from Amberley to Townsville and its transfer to Army.

“As AIRMSHL Houston was the last CO of 9SQN it just seemed right for him to have this,” said RAAFA ACT President Wing Commander Ron Christie (ret’d), a Flight Lieutenant and a senior radio/communications officer at No.1 Operational Support Unit in Vung Tau in 1968.

AIRMSHL Houston said the memories of his time in 9SQN made him “both proud and honoured to receive the plaque”.

.