By
Rebecca Codey
Volume 48, No. 10, June 15, 2006
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FLGOFF
Jodie Dell, WOFF Stephen Mountstephen and CPL Dean Brook-rerecich
standing beside the Army Iroquois which flew over the Australian
War Memorial in a tribute to 9SQN, shown below left.
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The
Huey piloted by LTs Doyle and Laves hovers over the crowd
at the 9SQN dedication ceremony.
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Photos
courtesy Australian War Memorial
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TWO
ex-Air Force members, now Army pilots, were at the controls of
an Iroquois helicopter as it flew low over Canberra’s Anzac
Parade in a tribute to 9SQN on June 3.
The fly-past was conducted during the dedication of a plaque at
the Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 40th anniversary
of the squadron’s arrival in Vietnam.
The aircraft hovered over the site and dipped its nose in a salute
before flying into the distance.
LTs Matt Doyle and Ross Laves, who spend their days flying the
UH-1H ‘Huey’ in support of loadmaster training and standby
Crash Response Helicopter, were honoured to be a part of the anniversary
celebrations.
“I still retain enormous affection for the Air Force, having
spent the majority of my adult life in a blue uniform,” aircraft
captain LT Doyle said.
“As a Hercules loadmaster I worked with many ex-9SQN aircrew
and so I am aware of the strong unit identity and its rich history.
Both Ross and I are extremely proud to be flying in support of
this event.
“A highlight of my Air Force career was definitely the time
I spent at 36SQN, including involvement in medevac and humanitarian
aid missions.”
Official guests including CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd and ACM Sir
Neville McNamara (retired) gathered with 9SQN veterans and their
families on the Western Forecourt of the War Memorial for Saturday’s
dedication.
Sir Neville addressed the crowd during the moving ceremony.
“Throughout the history of 101 Flight/9SQN, wherever they
were required to serve, whatever the task or the odds, and whatever
the nature of their duties, the members of the squadron demonstrated
a level of courage, sacrifice, determination and application of
skills that has earned them a place amongst the best of the operational
squadrons of the RAAF. They certainly have my respect and admiration.”
After the ceremony the Iroquois was on static display – the
pilots and aircraft quickly surrounded by a crowd of people.
An emotion-charged commemoration service was held in the War Memorial’s
Telstra Theatre on Sunday to celebrate 9SQN’s service and
its lost members. A single toll of the Albatross bell was sounded
after each of the squadron’s fallen was named.
More than 200 people attended the two-day reunion, which also
included a dinner on Saturday evening and the opportunity for
veterans to view an ex-9SQN Huey A2-1019 at the War Memorial on
Sunday. Many members either flew or serviced the aircraft in Vietnam.
9SQN made headlines for its active service during World War II
and the Vietnam War, and its humanitarian role closer to home.
The squadron was disbanded in February 1989 when battlefield helicopters
were made an Army responsibility.
