By
SQNLDR Paul Lineham
Huey
Farewell
(MPEG video 4.13 MB)
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CAF
Air Marshal Angus Houston climbs into the cockpit of one
of the gunships for the flypast.
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Iroquois
helicopter gunships in a farewell flypast over Brisbane.
They played a central role in Vietnam and were operated
by the Air Force until 1986, when they were handed over
to the Army.
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Photos
by Ashley Roach
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The
familiar and comforting thumping sound of four Hueys in a low
formation flypast over Brisbane on June 26 heralded the start
of the weekend ceremonies for the retirement of the Iroquois Bushranger
gunship capability from the Army.
Eight Bushrangers, flown by 171 Operational Support Squadron
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.
It was there, in Air Force colours and flown by No. 9 Squadron,
that now retired Wing Commander Brian Dirou developed the gunship
concept and the Air Force – as one wag put it – “begged, borrowed
and sometimes stole” the rockets and mini-guns to create a capability
that was to last for the next 35 years.
CDF General Peter Cosgrove said gunships had special meaning because
it was the tremendous firepower and the guts and determination
of the people flying the helicopters that saved Australian lives
in Vietnam. “I’ve personally had the support of these sorts of
aircraft in combat and I can tell you soldiers know that if Australian
aviators flying armed helicopters are in support of them, then
they are very lucky,” GEN Cosgrove said.
CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston, a former 9SQN CO who flew one
of the gunships in the farewell flypast, said the Bushrangers
demonstrated the great ingenuity, innovation and improvisation
of Aussies on operations.
AIRMSHL Houston joined with CA Lieutenant-General Peter Leahy
in paying tribute to the “the great professionalism, the great
dedication of the people who operated them, and also the people
who did the hard work maintaining the capability over 35 years”.
AIRMSHL Houston said the Bushranger role was absolutely vital
in Vietnam, providing accurate close air support to troops on
the ground in a joint operation, with 9SQN 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 Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter, due for delivery from
December 15. LTGEN Leahy said the Tiger would give increased capability
for surveillance and reconnaissance, and increased firepower.
