Chapter 4.6 (Air Support)

4 RAR/NZ had many a tussle on the ground requiring support from the air. 9 Squadron - Royal Australian Air Force, provided the bulk of that support ranging from delivering ordnance to a contact area or "Hardrocks" to Courtney Hill.

Helicopters utility (Hueys), Bushrangers, Cobras, Chinooks, Caribous, C123 Providers, Phantoms, Super-Skymasters and Broncos - all were called upon. This support, arranged through 1st Australian Task Force, was never far away, even if the American aircraft came from Bien Hoa. How we appreciated the sight of the "Dustoff Chopper" and admired the pilot's skill, hovering there for twenty minutes to speed a wounded mate to hospital.

It was a reassuring fact that the Commanding Officer and many of the pilots in 9 Squadron supporting us on operations in South Vietnam had worked with us during training exercises in Australia.

Throughout the tour, the Bushranger pilots (those guys with the great suntans) were never convinced that we could not always utilise their willing assistance in contact. Incidentally, as usual, the laws of supply and demand in the services were finally balanced. We had 16 Iroquois in direct support, (in the hangars of HMAS SYDNEY) on the way home.

Helping us to enforce a crippling blow on the enemy, by providing us with fast and flexible deployment or by blasting bunkers with blazing rockets, or just lifting us off the SYDNEY, the air forces are to be thanked.

During the battles of 21 September 1971, the following statistics illustrate the amount of ordnance delivered in support of the ANZAC Battalion:

United States Aircraft on Station:	Summary of Ordnance Expended:
a. 7 Cobra Teams	HE Rockets 2.75 millimetre	967
b. 4 Pink Teams	Fletchette Rockets	120
c. 2 Medevac Teams	40 millimetre HE	5,300
d. 7 Pairs A37s	3.62 mini (nails)	143,500
e. 4 Jade Facs	BLU 32 Napalm 28 MK 82 HE 5001b bombs	4
Webmaster's Note. It is not commonly know that, by previous agreement, Australia was billed in full, and paid in full, for every round of ammunition, every bomb and every other piece of assistance rendered by the US Forces. This extended down as far as rations. Any American rations consumed by Australian or NZ forces was paid for by the Australian Government.

In addition, 9 Squadron flew nine Dustoff sorties, sixteen Bushranger sorties and five Opdems. They delivered:

a. HE Rocket 2.75 millimetre	115
b. Mini Gun	79,500
c. M60	12,550