NEWSLETTER 54Th Edition February 2017 9 RAR ASSOCIATION (VIC) INC

54th EDITION FEBRUARY 2017 NEWSLETTER 9 RAR ASSOCIATION (VICTORIA) INC TOUR OF DUTY – SOUTH VIETNAM 1968 – 69 All correspondence to: The Secretary, 9 RAR Association (Vic) inc PO Box 6213 Frankston Vic 3199

CONTENTS when we were dispatched to South Viet- where battalion banner bearers are re- nam in 1968. Father time simply quested to display banners at the head of the gathering. PRESIDENTS REPORT 1 marches on.

UPCOMING EVENTS 1 Anzac day 2017 is soon coming ANZAC DAY around and normally the weather in Mel- ANZAC DAY REUNION LUNCH 9 RAR NATIONAL REUNION 2 VIETNAM VETERANS DAY 2 bourne presents us with a lovely Autumn day. I’m quite sure that if you are able to FEATURE STORIES TIME FOR THE RSL TO GET OFF make it to the march you’ll be there to ITS KNEES – Charlie Lynn 2 ensure we have a good roll up. I look RSL MUST EMBRACE CHANGE forward to seeing you all on the day and OR DIE - Kel Ryan 3 ROYAL AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY in the meantime keep well and enjoy life. CORP 4 ROSCO’S PILARA REGIMENT Stan Sutherland. 519 ST KILDA ROAD, MELBOURNE NW MOBILE FORCE 51ST BATTALION Same place as last year, catch a RAR MEMORIAL 6 EXERCISE CROIX DU SUD 6 UPCOMING EVENTS tram from the Domain Interchange to WINGS OVER VIETNAM 7 the corner of Commercial and St DONALD TRUMP 8 ANZAC DAY 2017 Kilda Roads — the tram numbers to

VALE 9 catch are 6, 67 or 72. As we are FORM UP most likely to start marching around INFORMATION PAGE 10 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Collins Street East (by Town Hall) 11.00 am, we expect that it will be

MEMBERSHIP 2017 finished by 11.45 hrs at the latest. DIRECT BANKING TIME This should get us to Rosco’s before

FUNNY STUFF 10 Official Step off time: 10.40 12.00 hrs. At Rosco’s could you pay your ORDER OF MARCH membership dues (still $30.00) to PRESIDENTS REPORT Leader – RAR Association the lovely Sue ASAP, this will en-

6 RAR In writing this report abled us get the AGM out of the way 7 RAR (usually takes around one hour). I’m pleased to say 8 RAR Then we can all enjoy ourselves with that last November 9 RAR food and drink we had good at- 5/7 RAR tendance at our 1 RAR annual service at THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT 2 RAR ASSOCIATION – VICTORIA REUNION Pagethe Shrine,1 of 10 which of 3 RAR LUNCH TO BE HELD AT: course was followed by our traditional 4 RAR MAIL EXCHANGE HOTEL luncheon. All who came along enjoyed 5 RAR Location: the day and it’s always good to catch up Basement 1 with one another in a relaxed and con- TRANSPORT 688 Bourke Street genial atmosphere over a few drinks. There will be cars available for those Melbourne VIC 3000 As we go into 1917 the 100th anniver- who cannot make the full march; we will (100 metres from “Southern Cross sary of major First World War Battles sort transport for those members who Station) need on the day. such as, Bullecourst, Messines, Ypres, Passchendaele and Bersheba, names of GENERAL INFORMATION which we are all familiar with will come to The battalion’s banner should be in the fore. Furthermore, as we approach position by 10.30 am. November and our journey to Adelaide Most of you have done this march we’ll be thinking more about our own countless times; you know the drill, remember to remove your caps or hats involvement in the service of our country th when saluting the Eternal Flame and reflected in the raising of the 9 Battalion place your right hand over your medals. RAR in 1967. In a way it’s hard to imag- Once we have passed the Eternal ine that 50 years have slipped by and Flame and just before we reach the that we’re now in the same position as in steps leading to the Shrine, we wheel to the ‘right’ heading down to the RAR age as the first world war veterans were tree/plaque and move in close together 1

NEWSLETTER 54th Edition February 2017 9 RAR ASSOCIATION (VIC) INC

Restored and housed on the lower 9 RAR NATIONAL REUNION - raise funds and will be applying for ground of the old Mail Exchange ADELAIDE 2017 grant funding which is available. building. The “official” reunion will begin on The idea is to reduce the cost to The hotel has an enormous bistro Monday 13th November 2017 with each person attending significantly with capacity for 200 and features a the anniversary Dinner in the Grand so that the cost of attending does not stunning central bar. There’s an Ballroom at the Hilton Adelaide pre- prevent them coming. atrium with internal courtyard and ceded by a cocktail function in the Apart from fund-raising and grant informal lounge areas. adjoining Balcony Gallery. funding we have looked at the cost Bill Williams (1 RAR) has also of catering for a meal, such as the spoken with the President of the BBQ lunch, as against organising Melbourne RSL Mike Moroney and food outlets to be onsite to provide a he has informed Bill that the hotel variety of food for purchase as cho- sen by the buyer. This way we don’t has a room that accommodates 100 have to guess how many may turn - 150 (over and above the bistro) up. that we could use if it is not already Essentially the only upfront pay- booked, on ANZAC Day. The Mel- ment will be for the Dinner (which bourne RSL will also run a “2 Up” On the following day we conduct will include a 5 hour beverage pack- game at the hotel from 12 noon. our Service of Remembrance at the age). Coach tickets and food pur- Members who wear medals are “birthplace of the Battalion” Keswick chase of one’s choice are extra but charged $5.00 for a pot (300 ml) of Barracks. Following the service, re- people get to choose what they Crown Larger and all other Carlton freshments will be available for pur- have. beers. The meals are very good and chase and a tour of Keswick Army Once a few loose ends have been reasonably priced. Museum will be available. tidied up the Reunion will be officially

They will also launched by email and snail mail. arrange for the We have looked at the positives City of Mel- and negative from previous reunions bourne Highland and have worked to using the good, Pipe and Drum avoiding the bad and staying away Band to be in from the ugly. attendance – it The RAR principle will apply to the reunion: – Remembrance, Afforda- should be a great afternoon. bility, Reflection. On the Wednesday a “picnic” will

take place at the Lake Breeze Win- If you do not have another reunion ery in Langhorne Creek where food VIETNAM VETERANS DAY lunch to go too, then make this your des- and beverages will be available for (LONG TAN DAY) tination for Anzac Day 2017. purchase. Musical entertainment will 18 AUGUST 2017 be provided during the afternoon. A st coach will be available to transport The 51 anniversary of the Battle of DAWN SERVICE Long Tan, now synonymous with Viet- people from Adelaide and return. nam Veterans Day. In acknowledging The Dawn Service commences on Vietnam Veterans' Day, communities the Shrine Forecourt at 0600 and throughout Australia remember the sacri- concludes approximately at 0630; fices made by our young men and immediately after a Gunfire women in a conflict that spanned a ten Breakfast will be served on the year period, thus making it the longest lawns in front of Victoria Barracks; a war in which Australian's participated. gold coin donation is encouraged. We all know the drill for the day, med- In 2016 some 60 - 70,000 attended als, ties and look smart. the service; the Shrine recommends you get to the Forecourt by 0430 to TIME FOR THE RSL TO GET get a good position. OFF KNEES If you are driving into the Dawn Unlike previous reunions we have Service, don’t get booked for illegal combined the “Meet & Great” and Charlie Lynn parking on St Kilda Road and sur- Dinner. We have also split the Ser- 13 January 2017 rounding streets. vice from the Picnic (BBQ) as one is We are unsure how the tunnel a dress up function, the other a works along St Kilda road will effect “dress down” affair. parking in the area. We (SA) will be organising a major raffle, auctions, sale of goods etc to

NEWSLETTER 54th Edition February 2017 9 RAR ASSOCIATION (VIC) INC

community, to all Australians, it is on the 75th anniversary of the from the men we honour today that Kokoda campaign this year. you inherited this land. Anzac Day symbolises our national “These were the men who helped battle honour and the right to com- build this nation. They were the ones memorate it as our Anzacs did must associated with building of our har- never be compromised. bours and our bridges. They sealed The RSL must also urgently fill the the roads across the black soil leadership void created since the planes, and they built the railways passing of resolute leaders like Rux- across Australia. Then they fought ton and Priest.

If ever there was an act of national off the Japanese invasion so that Imagine how they would have re- moral cowardice it has been the you could inherit this country. acted when the radical Islamic terror- RSL’s nil response to plans to cancel “You now have the fruits of our la- ist, Man Haron Monis wrote despi- some Anzac Day commemorations bours. The cities and the harbours cable letters to the wives of our ser- this year over possible terrorist and the plains are yours. vicemen killed in action in Afghani- threats. “We few survivors are aged and can stan. Imagine their outrage over The bed-wetting, jelly-kneed coun- only look on with pride and wish you prosecuting commandos for doing cillors on the Blue Mountains City success in the future. what we sent them to Afghanistan to Council dissolved over an imagined “But we do charge you, to accept the do – kill the enemy. threat to the annual Anzac Day responsibility of your inheritance and Imagine their reaction to defence march in their area and decreed nourish and guard them with care. mandarins directing ADF personnel there will be no marches or services “They paid the price of your future. not to wear uniform in public so they in their jurisdiction. Only they know the real cost. won’t offend our very own Centrelink When the RSL had real leaders “And remember – remember – we sponsored terrorists. In a recent like the late Bruce Ruxton and Rusty solemnly promised God that we Spectator article former Lieutenant Priest, men who were never afraid to would never forget.” Colonel Kel Ryan surmised that a articulate what their membership Death has spared Stan Bryant key factor in the decline of the RSL believed, the pissant Blue Mountain spared the ignominy of watching was their unwillingness ‘to enter the councillors would have quickly re- Blue Mountains City councillors col- public debate on those core issues treated, yelping and with their tails lapse against an imagined threat to that are fundamental to the members between their legs. the annual Anzac Day march in their of the RSL’. Unlike the men of the militia 39th area. Ryan declared it was also attribut- Battalion who never yielded against Fortunately, these quislings threw able to their inability to embrace overwhelming odds as they de- the pin instead of the grenade, which more recent veterans; its failure to fended the Kokoda Trail during Aus- blew up in their sullen faces, the re- plan strategically to meet the de- tralia’s darkest days in 1942. sult of a spontaneous public back- mand of the 21st century and its fail- “Who’s that mob?’ queried a by- lash. ure to advocate strongly for the is- stander as a group of emaciated Stan Bryant has also been spared sues so clearly enunciated in its soldiers hobbled back along the road the ignominy of watching a cowardly constitution’. to Sogeri after their Kokoda cam- RSL fail to take the lead on this is- The RSL would be wise to reflect paign in September 1942. sue. on its motto that ‘the price of liberty “This is not a mob – this is the That is a serious concern for the or- is eternal vigilance’. 39th,” yelled the furious officer lead- ganisation’s broader membership It should also take heed of President ing the group. History records these who would have applauded a media Roosevelt’s dictum that’ it is better to ragged troops faced odds uncounted release announcing that ‘the RSL die on your feet than live on your but were undaunted in their epic bat- will march on Anzac Day – with or knees’ when dealing with govern- tle against the Japanese at Isurava – without Government approval – as it ments of all persuasions. many had fallen with their faces to has every year for the past hundred the foe. years – and will do so every year for Vietnam Vet- Because the men of the 39th did the next hundred’. eran Charlie not yield during Australia’s hour of There can be no greater insult to Lynn retired peril the tide of war turned. surviving members of the 39th and as a major their fellow veterans than the be- Years later 18th Brigade veteran from the Aus- trayal of their sacred day by traitor- Sergeant Stan Bryant addressed an tralian Army ous Blue Mountain City councillors attentive Anzac Day audience at after 21 years Sydney’s Martin Place. and the current leadership of the “I say to all you people here today, organisation they believed in so pas- service. He later served in the NSW to you who are responsible for gov- sionately who are missing in action. Parliament for almost 20 years. A erning this country, to all you who Nobody but nobody will stop them veteran of 84 Kokoda Trail crossings hold positions of leadership in the marching behind their battle honours 3

NEWSLETTER 54th Edition February 2017 9 RAR ASSOCIATION (VIC) INC

he was inducted as an Officer of the That included those who defended RSL gradually became a Canberra Order of Logohu in the 2015 PNG Darwin against the Japanese be- centric organisation. New Years Honours List. cause they were not “returned”. With little background in the organi- It is a hurt that resonates even to- sation until their appointment they day among their children and grand- have generally – no pun intended – THE RSL MUST EMBRACE children. proved unsuitable to the role. CHANGE OR DIE Members of militia battalions who They have proven unable or unwill- KEL RYAN’S OPINION fought on the Kokoda Trail and at ing to enter the public debate on Milne Bay in the early days of the those core issues that are funda- Once Australia’s pre- Japanese War were also excluded – mental to the members of the RSL. mier veterans’ advo- because they were conscripts, not A caveat here, however, is neces- cacy organisation, the AIF. sary. Returned and Services Even though militia members were The national RSL president and by League is in rapid if not accepted in 1944 the damage was implication the national headquarters terminal decline. done creating a permanent rift is starved of funds. It still relies on among many who vowed never to the annual subscriptions from a di- Its leadership is failing the broad join. minishing membership for the bulk of membership, which continues to A more recent example is that of a its funding. provide support at local sub-branch father who served four years during Some state branches have accu- level. WW2 in Australia whose only son, a mulated great wealth through their The RSL national leadership has conscript, was killed in Vietnam and historical business acumen, as for failed the challenge of the 21st cen- commemorated by his local RSL. example Queensland with its art un- tury as sub-branches close, local An RSL the father could not join. ion prize homes and NSW through leadership ages and resists change. Even with the belated acceptance its clubs and poker machines. Young veterans shun the organisa- for reasons of organisational survival There is certainly no broad enthu- tion. Charlie Lynn’s Flat White article of those who served in the regular siasm to fund national HQ’s advo- Leadership crisis dogs RSL is accu- and reserve forces post-World War cacy role for the broader member- rate, timely and significant. II, old prejudices remain. ship. However, Lynn does not address The RSL structure, the financial The onus clearly rests with the na- the broader issue of why the RSL dominance of some state branches, tional executive to resolve the de- has “not adapted to change and has the penury of others and its blink- cline in respect for the organisation vacated the field of public debate”. ered attitude toward organisational among its existing and potential The RSL’s problems are broader change has enabled and encour- membership and the broader Austra- than NSW where the erstwhile Na- aged the rise of more dynamic ex- lian defence community. tional President Rod White and his service organisations outside the This same national leadership must former state board colleagues face RSL. steel itself for some difficult deci- serious misconduct allegations. The RSL has demonstrated the sions to abandon the past and em- The malaise in the RSL is national. singular power of turning potential brace the future. In 1916 the RSL was established organisational highlights and oppor- They must also overcome the mis- as an organisation for ‘returned men’ tunities into negatives. trust at sub-branch, state and federal only. This is emphasised by the organi- levels to convince the membership This term referred to those who sation’s inability to embrace more they have not only a vision for the volunteered to join the 1st AIF, had recent veterans; its failure to plan future but the will to introduce it. served overseas, and ‘returned’. strategically to meet the demand of They must certainly convey that The RSL is not a national organisa- the 21st century and its failure to view to those eligible ADF members tion but rather a federation of state advocate strongly for the issues so who shun the organisation in droves. organisations established under clearly enunciated in its constitution. Change for the RSL as a national separate state legislation. There is no enthusiasm to investi- organisation can either be embraced These two terms, ‘AIF’ and ‘re- gate governance models better or denied. turned men’ (now veteran) resonated suited to the present combative envi- The latter is not an option. across the RSL until the 1980s as ronment where professional lobby- they meant that membership was ists vie for the ear of the federal restricted to those who met these government on a daily basis. criteria. The days of any government defer- Those who enlisted but did not go ring to the wishes of its warriors who overseas during the world wars have defended the nation is no (500,000 men and women) were longer a given. denied membership of what became As its World War I founders and the core grouping in local communi- leaders faded away by the 1980s the ties across the country – the RSL sub-branch. 4

NEWSLETTER 54th Edition February 2017 9 RAR ASSOCIATION (VIC) INC

subsequently redesignated as a full Kel Ryan is a Life Member of the The North-West Mobile Force is an Army regiment in 1985. RSL in Queensland. He has also Reserve infantry regiment of the Today the regiment’s mission is: held elective office in a number of Australian Army "To provide the Australian Army with other ex-service organisations. He information by conducting Today, NORFORCE is based at is currently completing a PhD on surveillance operations to contribute Larrakeyah Barracks in Darwin. Its Pathways for the advocacy of the to an effective Australian Defence area of operations covers 1.8 million issues of the Australian Defence Force surveillance network in the square kilometres and encompasses Community in the 21st century. the Northern Territory and the North West of Australia (Pilbara This article is published in The Spec- Region)." It is responsible for an Kimberley region of Western tator Australia 10/1/2017 area of 1.3 million square kilometres Australia – the largest area of any from Port Hedland to Carnarvon in military unit in the world today. Western Australia, and from the On 1 March 2010, NORFORCE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN INFAN- coast to the border with the Northern became part of the re-raised 6th TRY CORP Territory; being approximately one- Brigade and, on 1 September 2014, The role of Royal Australian Infantry sixth of the total Australia mass. came under the command of the 2nd Division. Corps is to seek out and close with A detailed knowledge of its Area of the enemy, to kill or capture him, to Operations is maintained by The primary role of NORFORCE is seize and hold ground, and to repel conducting reconnaissance patrols reconnaissance, observation and the attack by day or night, regardless of season, weather or terrain. by foot, vehicle and watercraft; collection of military intelligence. In surveillance from static observation the unlikely event of an invasion of THREE ARMY UNIT MEMBERS posts; and by systematic northern Australia, NORFORCE and The Pilbara Regiment is an Army communication and liaison with the other RFSUs would operate in a Reserve infantry regiment of the police, customs, other regional “stay behind” capacity. Australian Army. authorities, and with local Australian Aboriginal soldiers form landowners. 60 per cent of NORFORCE The Pilbara Regiment and On 1 March 2010, Pilbara is one of three Regional personnel and are predominantly Regiment became part of the re- Force Surveillance Units drawn mainly from the areas they raised 6th Brigade and, on 1 patrol to draw on their local employed in surveillance - September 2014, came under the knowledge. This has resulted in a and reconnaissance of the remote command of 2nd Division. great trust for the regiment among areas of northern Australia. The motto of the Pilbara Regiment Aboriginal communities. is ‘Mintu wanta’, which is a Western

Desert Aboriginal dialect for ‘Always alert’. It is the first motto of an 51st Battalion, Far North aboriginal language to be Queensland Regiment incorporated in a regimental crest in The 51st Battalion, Far the Australian Defence Force. North Queensland

Regiment, is a light infantry

The North-West Mobile Force is battalion of the Australian

an Army Reserve infantry Army. In the late 1970s and early 1980s regiment of the Australian Army. the need for a military presence in the north was recognised, with an The North-West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) was formed in integrated land, sea and air surveillance network developed in 1981 and is one of three Units (RFSUs)Regional employed Force Surveillance in surveillance and response. Part of this involved the raising of reserve infantry units that Reconnassance of the remote areas would act as "eyes and ears" in the of northern Australia. north. The Pilbara Regiment was raised 51st Battalion, Far North for operations in the Pilbara region of Queensland Regiment (51 FNQR), north-west Australia, whilst others serves as a Regional Force were raised in the Northern Territory Surveillance Unit (RFSU), carrying and Far North Queensland. The out reconnaissance and surveillance regiment was originally formed as a tasks as its primary role. company on 26 January 1982, from Every operator in the unit is cross- the 5th Independent Rifle Company, trained in a variety of 'low-visibility' under Major David Hudson. It was skills such as weapons, survival,

NEWSLETTER 54th Edition February 2017 9 RAR ASSOCIATION (VIC) INC

sniping, medic, small boat handling, The motto of the 51st Battalion, Led by the French Armed Forces driving, tracking, air ops etc. Far North Queensland Regiment, is of New Caledonia (FANC), Croix du 51 FNQR is the only battalion of ‘Ducit amor patriae’, which is Latin Sud is held every two years as part the Far North Queensland Regiment, for ‘The love of country leads me’. of France’s engagement in the re- and draws its lineage from an gion. Commander of the Australian Australian Imperial Force battalion contingent Lt-Col Paul Manoel said raised for service during WW I. RAR MEMORIAL the exercise tackled the more diffi-

Today, 51 FNQR plays an The Memorial cult areas of disaster response. important role in the security of was constructed “Croix Du Sud allows us to deal with Australia by conducting surveillance the responses that may be required as part of the patrols in the sparsely populated and when the security situation is com- remote regions of Far North National RAR plex following a disaster,” he said. Queensland. 51 FNQR is made up Association's “We are well experienced with sup- of full-time and part-time members intent to have a plying aid and disaster recovery with battalion headquarters and a public RAR me- forces to the region. This exercise surveillance company located in morial in all Aus- allowed us to train as a multinational Cairns. Surveillance companies are tralian State force dealing with non-combatant headquartered throughout Far North Capital cities. Although in Brisbane evacuation and security operations.” Queensland at Weipa, Thursday we have The RAR National Memo- Ile des Pins (Isle of Pines) was the Island and Mount Isa. backdrop for the tactical phase, rial Walk at Gallipoli Barracks Enog- Approximately 30 per cent of 51 which involved a non-combatant gera, public access to it is hampered FNQR personnel are Indigenous evacuation operation following a Torres Strait Islanders and mainland by Base Security requirements. This simulated cyclone. Adding complex- Aboriginal peoples who, with the new Memorial was designed by the ity to the scenario, role players acted Australians of other origins RARA Qld Team led by its President as disgruntled locals who grew more throughout the unit, form the team Neil Weekes and constructed by and more frustrated at the lack of that is 51 FNQR. It is this diverse stonemason Peter Wrafter & Sons. food and water available to them. make up of personnel and their Brisbane City Council approved the 2RAR troops, with soldiers from cultures that give the 51 FNQR its location in their Ferguson Park and Tonga and New Zealand, worked unique character. allowed us to name the space occu- alongside their French counterparts 51 FNQR is tasked with pied as The Royal Australian Regi- to move in and assist with security reconnaissance and surveillance of ment Place. On the reverse side of operations in the area. They estab- some 640,000 square kilometres lished a collection point for the ‘refu- the Memorial are the place names of from Cardwell (north Queensland) to gees’ to get processed and searched the Torres Strait (inclusive of Cape RAR's operational deployments. A before being moved to the airfield for York and the Gulf Country) and west feature of the memorial is its illumi- an evacuation flight. Exercise liaison to the Northern Territory border. nation at night which makes it spiri- officer Capt David Caligari, of 2RAR, Australians of many cultures have tual and highly visible from Samford said the training was vital to ensure been drawn together to provide this Road. a prepared force was equipped to capability. Torres Strait Islanders react and provide assistance. “Exer- and members of the many isolated cises like Croix du Sud are important Aboriginal communities throughout Military prowess on show in to ensure that as a multinational Cape York and the Gulf Country the Pacific during biennial force, we are ready to respond in the form an integral component of the French exercise Pacific when required,” Capt Caligari Battalion, and provide a vital source said. “These opportunities provide Flt-Lt Lauretta Webster reports. of local knowledge. Army: Edition 1387 Dec 1 2016 valuable training in an area where The real time role of conducting Australian troops can expect to be reconnaissance and surveillance in M ore than 100 members of the ADF required to respond. Our region is Far North Queensland is what joined a French flavoured multina- prone to natural disasters like cy- makes service in 51 FNQR so tional force for training in disaster re- clones and the ADF is often called challenging and rewarding for both sponse interoperability during Exer- upon to respond and help. “We as- full-time and part-time members of ciseCroix du Sud. sisted in Fiji earlier this year and it’s today's Army. Ask any member of 51 The exercise ran from important to keep up our skills. FNQR and they will proudly tell you November 9 -18, 2016 Working with the other nations al- they are "the eyes and ears of the in New Caledonia and lows us to test our procedures and north". is the largest humani- processes and to form professional The 51 FNQR came under the tarian assistance and relationships.” Maj Ronald Jean, of command of the 2nd Division on 1 disaster relief exercise FANC, welcomed the opportunity to September 2014. in the South Pacific. work with the Australians. “To me, this is the biggest exercise for the 6

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FANC and really important for us the force in preparation for the next mony at HMAS Cerberus , Victoria, because we are part of the Pacific phase of the exercise,” on March 23, 2016. region and need to work together to Capt Sardin said. “The main pur- offer help,” Maj Jean said. “I would pose is to realise that people cannot be very happy to work again with the rely on their own strength, and must Australians.” Croix du Sud included rely on their team to get through the troops from France (New Caledonia challenges. “We are on an island and French Polynesia), Australia, here in New Caledonia, so it’s impor- They were former Ptes Bob Canada, Chile, Fiji, Japan, New Zea- tant we train with our regional part- Devers, Stan Jaruga, Bill Wearne land, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, ners so we can prepare to react to and Rob Carmichael, all National UK, US and Vanuatu. In addition to any real-time situations and share Servicemen who served in South the company-minus team from our knowledge.” Vietnam from 1967-68. 2RAR, the ADF contributed a C- Lt David Bannister-Tyrrell, of Mr Devers said he volunteered to 130J Hercules, two KA350 King Airs, 2RAR, described the training as in- become a helicopter door-gunner and headquarters and support per- novative and memorable. with RANHFV to experience how the sonnel. “It was surprisingly fun. I’m abso- US infantry operated. “I was already lutely knackered, but that obstacle trained as a machine-gunner with all Team-building success sets course was an entertaining mix of the associated drills and weapon tone for tactical phase of Croix exhausting and exhilarating,” maintenance skills for the GPMG du Sud Lt Bannister-Tyrrell said. “My team M60,” he said. “We did some train-

was made up of a combination of ing with the US Army’s 135th Assault French and Australians and it was Helicopter Coy on the use of proto- fantastic getting to work together. cols with pilots, as well as specific The language barrier was a bit of a tasks and timings with troop and air- challenge but we got through. craft protection related to the ma- “It really was a test of communica- chine guns.” Mr Devers served with tion and all about helping each other the unit for two weeks with alternate overcome the obstacles. It was diffi- days on dispatch and retrieval of US infantry troops and outpost delivery cult, but also a bit of fun. A FRANC soldier helps Pte Adelle Connor, of “It was a pretty unique team- and associated protection duties. 2 RAR tackle an obstacle during Exercise building exercise and that’s what “With seven troop days and seven Croix du Sud. outpost duty days, every day was a exercise Croix du Sud is all about.” duty day as a door-gunner,” he said. TEAMWORK and communication were essential components for the “While many of our operations in our success at a French-run training day Wings over Vietnam 2RAR platoon had severe confronta- in Noumea as part of Exercise Croix tions at different levels, equally there du Sud. were high risks with the helicopters. The 2RAR team, including mem- “Flying into unknown enemy force bers of the French Armed Forces zones where the size of the force New Caledonia (FANC), New Zea- was unknown and retrieving land Army and His Majesty’s Armed wounded and overpowered troops Forces (Tonga), joined for force in- were very tense moments – helicop- tegration training to tackle the rigor- ters are ous tasks. Mr Wearne was a forward scout in Training included building a raft 4 Pl, 2RAR, when he was told he was going to be a door-gunner with made from bamboo and running it A 9 Squadron, RAAF, Iroquois helicopter through tangled, muddy mangroves drops down onto a landing zone to pick a US Army helicopter company. with a number of weighted stores, up infantry from 9th Battalion, The Royal Wings over Vietnam Soldiers before completing a water obstacle Australian Regiment (9RAR), after op- awarded for helicopter service 48 course that comprised above and erations in the area. An unidentified 9 years on, Sgt Dave Morley reports “I under water challenges. Squadron, RAAF, door gunner with an had only handled an M60 once be- Capt Roch Sardin, of FANC, said M60 general purpose machine gun, fore and that was during basic train- watches intently for enemy action. the purpose of the activities was to ing at Puckapunyal,” he said. “I can provide a challenging environment to Soldiers awarded for helicopter always remember my first flight – we encourage team building and unity. service 48 years on followed the gunships into the LZ “The physical training activities are after they blew everything up and we designed to improve unit cohesion 2RAR door-gunners were belat- fought our way through the dust and and allow personnel to share skills edly awarded RAN Helicopter Flight smoke to drop off the 9 Div troops. with other nationalities, to build up Vietnam (HFV) Gunner Wings by “On another occasion returning to Cmdr Max Speedy (Retd) in a cere- the base at night, I had a quite dif-

NEWSLETTER 54th Edition February 2017 9 RAR ASSOCIATION (VIC) INC

ferent experience. We were diverted 135AHC and Major Carter CO B ty has lost 63 House seats, 10 Sen- to pick up some wounded and de- Coy 2 RAR. ate seats and 14 governorships. ceased soldiers.” Mr Wearne said The aim of the secondment was to th The country had signaled strongly this was fairly traumatic. “After load- assist the 135 maintain the normal- in the last two midterms that they ing them onto the helo, as we were ly high degree of combat readiness were not happy. The Dems’ answer about to take off, the pilot said to me, that was currently being affected by was to give them more of the same ‘door-gunner you are in control’,” he a temporary shortage of door gun- said. “That meant I had to let the ners. from a person they did not like or trust. pilot know if lift-off was possible be- The members involved flew because it was pitch black and he tween 40 and 90 hours during their couldn’t see the paddy dykes.” time in the 135th. This number of Three weeks later Mr Wearne was combat hours ensured each soldier back with 2RAR. “On leaving the an entitlement to the US Army’s 135th I was presented with a certifi- combat flight decoration ‘The Air cate stating I had flown 48.3 hours Medal’ on combat missions and told I was Some of the men were given copies entitled to the US Army Air Medal,” of the necessary official statement of he said. “The secondment was a their flight hours to enable them to unique experience and one I’ll never apply for and be granted the decora- forget.” tion. Unfortunately none of them ap- Mr Devers said it was quite unbe- plied for the medal once they re- Preaching — and pandering — lievable having his service recog- turned to Nui Dat. This omission was with a message of inclusion, the nised after 48 years. “We are all probably due to the Australian Gov- Democrats have instead become a humbled and grateful to receive the ernment’s attitude to ADF members party where incivility and bad man- recognition, but my recognition is all accepting foreign decorations. Only ners are taken for granted, rudeness channelled towards my mates in 5 three soldiers appear to have re- is routine, religion is mocked and Pl, B Coy, who teamed together and tained their certificate now making it there is absolutely no respect for a displayed remarkable dedication to difficult to gain the required recogni- differing opinion. This did not go the tasks allocated to them. “The tion of their entitlement. Navy treated our award with the down well in the Midwest, where One soldier, Private Hoger, Trump flipped three blue states and greatest respect and the ceremony I has with great difficulty and a attended with marching recruits was lapse of about 35 years, 44 electoral votes. memorable. “I know emotions were been granted The Air Medal. The rudeness reached its peak running high and I would like to Action is currently underway when Vice President-elect Mike thank the people at Cerberus for to obtain the decorations Pence was booed by attendees of their courtesy and attention to us on for the other six men. “Hamilton” and then pompously lec- the day.” Similar ceremonies were tured by the cast. This may play well DONALD TRUMP held at HMA Ships Albatross and with the New York theater crowd but Leeuwin in March to recognise the Election Therapy From My is considered boorish and unac- nine 2RAR and 40 Navy members who volunteered to fly as door- Basket of “Deplorables” ceptable by those of us taught to respect the office of the president gunners in the UH-1 helicopters. From Maureen Dowd In late November 1967 the first two An American columnist for The New and vice president, if not the occu- of seven Machine Gunners from York Times, and a best-selling author. pants. Bravo Company, 2 RAR were unoffi- During the 1970s and the early 1980s, Here is a short primer for the cially seconded to the US Army’s Dowd worked for Time magazine and the young protesters. If your preferred 135 Assault Helicopter Company Washington Star candidate loses, there is no need for History of Unit The election was a com- mass hysteria, canceled midterms, This unit, known as ‘The EMUs’, plete repudiation of safe spaces, crying rooms or group Barack Obama: his fan- was the home of the RAN Helicopter primal screams. You might under- Flight Vietnam. The RANHFV was a tasy world of political cor- stand this better if you had not re- detachment of Australian naval air- rectness the politicization ceived participation trophies, unde- crew, helicopter maintainers and of the Justice Department and the support personnel which was inte- I.R.S., an out-of-control E.P.A., his served grades to protect your feel- grated with the US Army. neutering of the military, his nonsup- ings or even if you had a proper un- The B Coy secondment was the port of the police and his fixation on derstanding of civics. The Demo- result of collaboration between Lieu- things like transgender bathrooms. crats are now crying that Hillary had tenant Commander Pat Vickers Since he became president, his par- more popular votes. That can be her RAN (KIA 22Feb68) 2i/c of the HFV participation trophy. and Platoon Leader 1st Platoon 8

NEWSLETTER 54th Edition February 2017 9 RAR ASSOCIATION (VIC) INC

If any of my sons had told me they Hillary Clinton’s use of the Those of us honoured to call Garry were too distraught over a national word deplorable when describing our friend, greeted the sad news of election to take an exam, I would “half of Trump supporters” sent his passing with mixed emotions. have brought them home the next many people to the dictionary to The deep sadness associated with look up the word. At a fund- day, fearful of the instruction they the loss of someone we cared for raiser in New York, on Friday were receiving. Not one of the top mixed with the sense of relief that his night Clinton said: To just be 50 colleges mandate one semester grossly generalistic, you can put suffering was over. of Western Civilization. Maybe they half of Trump supporters into What a long and protracted fight should rethink that. what I call the basket of deplor- he had fought and finally lost. Mr. Trump received over 62 million ables. Right? Racist, sexist, To think of Garry was to think of a votes, not all of them cast by homo- homophobic, xenophobic, thoughtful considerate, capable man. phobes, Islamaphobes, racists, sex- Islamaphobic, you name it. A man of compassion who was ists, misogynists or any other “ists.” Donald Trump’s campaign de- never rushed or flustered but always I would caution Trump deniers that manded an apology for the re- in control. A caring man to those he all of the crying and whining is not mark. was close to and those he chose to good preparation for the coming help. storm. The liberal media, both print 9RAR is indebted to Garry for his and electronic, has lost all credibility. VALE contribution across three states. Few I am reasonably sure that none of have been so widely respected and AT THE GOING DOWN the mainstream print media had sto- OF THE SUN, WE admired. ries prepared for a Trump victory. I FUNNY TUFFWILL REMEMBER He is a huge loss. watched the networks and cable sta- THEM His farewell service, as detailed tions in their midnight meltdown — “LEST WE FORGET” below by Dan Penman, was a fitting embodied by Rachel Maddow ex- OUR FALLEN AND tribute to his life. DEPARTED COM- plaining to viewers that they were MATESHI All who participated did so with not having a “terrible, terrible dream” RADES dignity and compassion and collec- and that they had not died and “gone tively presented a service befitting so to hell.” RAYMOND GERARD STANLEY great a personality. The media’s criticism of Trump’s SVN 1968 – 69 D COY (Cook) The 9RAR family rallied in num- high-level picks as “not diverse Passed away 24 August 2016 bers as the attached photo will attest enough” or “too white and male” — a and Brian Hamilton, Dan Penman, CHRISTOPHER DAVID GOLSBY day before he named two women Brian Vickery and Peter Cosgrove all and offered a cabinet position to an SVN 1968 -69 made outstanding contributions to African-American — magnified this Passed away 4 September 2016 the service. fact. Here is a final word to my Demo- FREDERICK WILLIAM CRAWORD It was a proud day for 9RAR and cratic friends. The election is over. (WIA) for Jan, despite her immeasurable There will not be a do-over. So let SVN 1968 – 69, 3 RAR Korea sense of loss. me bid farewell to Al Sharpton, Ben Passed away 3 November 2016 Her final words, which I list below,

Rhodes and the Clintons. Note to GARRY ROY MAYER resonated long after the chapel was Cher, Barbra, Amy Schumer and cleared. Lena Dunham: Your plane is waiting. And to Jon Stewart, who talked " Strong of mind about moving to another planet: Pure of heart Your spaceship is waiting. To Bruce A beautiful man Springsteen, Jay Z, Beyoncé and A thorough gentleman Katy Perry, thanks for the free con- Loved by all." certs. And finally, to all the foreign Farewell, Garry Mayer, countries that contributed to the Clin- SVN 1968 -69, B Coy ton Foundation, there will not be a RIP dear friend. Passed away 10 December 2016 payoff or a rebate. As Eddie Murphy so eloquently Hi everyone, Doug McGrath stated in the movie “48 Hrs.”: As Christmas fades into memory “There’s a new sheriff in town.” And he is going to be here for 1,461 and a new year beckons, I can't help days. but reflect on Garry Mayer's passing and farewell.

NEWSLETTER 54th Edition February 2017 9 RAR ASSOCIATION (VIC) INC

A little girl was talking to her teacher FUNNY STUFF about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.

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TUESDAY 25 APRIL 2017 AT ROSCO’S 519 heaven I will ask Jonah'. ST KILDA ROAD, MELBOURNE AT 12.00. The teacher asked, 'What if Jonah

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The Secretary loss from such use. 9 RAR ASSOCIATION (VIC) INC Jonah and the Whale PO BOX 6213, FRANKSTON VIC 3199 Klaus Cimdins