9 Oct 1999 – 38SQN and 35SQN deploy to East Timor
9 Oct 1999 – 38SQN and 35SQN deploy to East Timor
On this day in 1999, members of 38SQN and 35SQN deployed to Dili, East Timor as part of INTERFET. A dozen technicians and an Army Ground Liaison Officer travelled from Darwin to Dili on a RAAF C130. Two Caribous were flown from Darwin to Dili the next day (10 Oct) and flying ops in the country commenced on 12 Oct.
In the month leading up to the deployment, Caribou flights from Darwin to East Timor had occurred. These supported SF operations and repatriated some East Timorese who had previously fled the country. None of these earlier Caribou flights remained overnight or refuelled in East Timor and crews were faced with the prospect of insufficient fuel to make land in the event of an engine failure for a period of the return journey.
Once deployed to East Timor, Caribou operations occurred as “86 Wing, Detachment C” and were initially based in Dili, living and working from tents next to the busy runway. The Detachment later moved to Bacau and increased in size to four aircraft. At Bacau most aircrew lived in a converted bathroom, while the technicians lived in a building that should have been condemned. The Detachment finally moved backed to Dili and living conditions improved when air conditioned ATCO huts were provided. All 35SQN personnel were transferred to 38SQN in 2000 and the last 38SQN Caribou left East Timor on 25 Feb 2001.
The Caribou proved ideal at operating in the mountainous tropical island nation, to rudimentary airfields, and achieved a high rate of mission success. At times the Caribou was the only link between Dili and the south of the island when rain cut roads, washed out beach landings and prevented helicopters from flying due to cloud cover across the high terrain. Tactical, fixed-wing transport again proved its worth, carrying out the unglamorous but vital tasks.
Maliana Airfield, East Timor
35 Squadron 75th Anniversary Address – Castle Hill RSL – September 2017
Good day John and Sambo,
Thought I would give you an update on the 75th Anniversary function. It was a very enjoyable night. We were seated with CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies, his wife Rhonda, and CO 35SQN WGCDR Jarrod Pendlebury and his wife Selda. We were able to talk with them a bit but they were circulating around as you might imagine. We were given a great welcome and I got some good feedback on my talk which was on behalf of the RTFV/35SQN Association. They put us up in the Novotel at Castle Hill which was great as I am a bit hesitant to drive long distance at night now in case I fall asleep. In short we were very well looked after.
My talk was historical, Jarrod spoke of the present and Leo spoke of the future. We were each given 10min for our talk. I have attached a copy of the basis for my talk for your information. Maybe it is not 100% accurate working from memory but I did cross-check it as much as I could during its preparation. Jarrod indicated that the squadron was very happy with the C27J Spartan. Either he or the CAF expressed the view that it was not really a Caribou replacement nor a small C130 but rather a tactical transport with its own place in the air force which will continue to evolve with time.
I did send in quite a few photos from my own slides collection and from others but they were not included in the slide show. However, they should now be in the 35SQN archives. Talking of photos I have established that the AWM photos taken in 1966 in Vietnam and covering Harold Holt’s visit may now be found at the following link: CLICK HERE
I have also sent a similar email to Don Pollock to show him the talk I gave in his place.
Thanks for the opportunity to attend on your behalf.
Hope you are well
Regards
Richard
75th Anniversary Address 35SQN 2017 – click here to view
Richmond 2015
Colours Parade in Richmond 2015
RAAF News Article – Moth Minor
John Cameron’s Photo Collection
Click here to access the gallery
ADI FSGT JIM NICHOLS - Vungers 1965 at the Range and RAAF Helper who was a guard.
RAAF Caribou Aircraft Workshop Vietnam 1965-1966
'Dad's Army' RAAF Technicians at Weapons Training Vietnam 1965-1966 - John Cameron is half cut off kneeling in left corner
FAR RIGHT: Our Villa
LEFT: White place is the officers villa. China Sea Wall & supports in front
30 CAL MINE SWEEPER MEKONG 1965-1966 - A cable was towed and at the end was a 'paravane'. This was like a torpedo shape with an angled fin. Idea was any electric cable where a floating bomb was, would be picked up by the paravane and a wake of white foam showed where the bomb was. We fired into into it - with 'sister' ship heading on return trip. JC.
See next for photo.
30 CAL MINE SWEEPER MEKONG 1965-1966 - A cable was towed and at the end was a 'paravane'. This was like a torpedo shape with an angled fin. Idea was any electric cable where a floating bomb was, would be picked up by the paravane and a wake of white foam showed where the bomb was. We fired into into it - with 'sister' ship heading on return trip.
(See the previous image for description of events)
A55978 - CPL John Cameron JC in Vungers 1965 - AWM Photo - Armed forces of South Vietnamese under training of weapon by JC
At Work In Hanger - South Vietnam in Vung Tau 1965-1966
Some of the RAAF boys out at the rage - we met some South Vietnamese Troops & swapped weapons for 'shoot-up' 1965 (LEFT: CPL Lee Scully, RIGHT: Nev Waterson)
USA Weapons Issued to us Australians in Vietnam 1965/66
FROM TOP-DOWN: M14 7.62 Rifle, Grease Gun 45 CAL but can convert to 9mm, 45 CAL Pistol, Baretta Pistol (Italian) Used concealed, 30 CAL M1, 40mm Grenade Launcher Single Shot,, 30 CAL Jungle Carbine.
FAR TOP-RIGHT: M60Light Machine Gun Belt-fed 600 RPM.
2ND PHOTO: AT TOP _ M14 Issued to RTFV a good weapon.
Grease Gun 45 CAL - Mag & Barrel could be changed to a 9mm
RAAF & The Caribou
35SQN Gears for 75th Anniversary
Vietnam in Black & White
Vietnam Memories – in Black and White…
East Timor Caribou Hijacked
The one and only time a caribou has been hijacked!!!