161st Independent Reconnaissance Flight (Australia)
Encyclopedia
The 161st Independent Reconnaissance Flight was an Australian Army
aviation unit. Formed in 1965 during the Vietnam War
, in September that year the flight deployed to South Vietnam with two Cessna 180s and two Sioux light obersvation helicopters in order to support the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
based at Bien Hoa airbase
. Following the expansion of the Australian commitment, the flight continued to serve in this role as part of the 1st Australian Task Force
, with an englarged established and expanded responsibilities, operating out of Vung Tau
and Nui Dat
until the end of 1971 when it was withdrawn to Australia.
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
aviation unit. Formed in 1965 during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, in September that year the flight deployed to South Vietnam with two Cessna 180s and two Sioux light obersvation helicopters in order to support the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 1 RAR was first formed as the 65th Australian Infantry Battalion in 1945 and since then has been deployed on active service during the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War...
based at Bien Hoa airbase
Bien Hoa Air Base
Bien Hoa Air Base is a Vietnam People's Air Force military airfield located in South-Central southern Vietnam about 20 miles from Saigon near the city of Bien Hoa within Dong Nai Province....
. Following the expansion of the Australian commitment, the flight continued to serve in this role as part of the 1st Australian Task Force
1st Australian Task Force
The 1st Australian Task Force commanded the Australian and New Zealand Army units deployed to South Vietnam between 1966 and 1972. 1 ATF was based at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province...
, with an englarged established and expanded responsibilities, operating out of Vung Tau
Vung Tau Airport
Vung Tau Airport is a small airport in southern Vietnam. The airport serves the city of Vung Tau and is located near the downtown of the city.-Facilities:There is a 1,800 m paved runway...
and Nui Dat
Luscombe Airfield
Luscombe Airfield was an airfield at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam . The airfield was built by 1 Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers for the 1st Australian Task Force at Nui Dat...
until the end of 1971 when it was withdrawn to Australia.
Aircraft
- Bell H-13 Sioux light observation helicopterLight Observation HelicopterThe Light Observation Helicopter program was a United States Army program to evaluate, develop and field a light scout helicopter to replace the Army's aging OH-13 Sioux. The program gained impetus with the advent of the Vietnam War and was aided by advances in helicopter technology, specifically...
- Cessna 180Cessna 180The Cessna 180 is a four- or six-seat, fixed conventional gear general aviation airplane which was produced between 1953 and 1981. Though the design is no longer in production, many of these aircraft are still in use as personal aircraft and in utility roles such as bush...
fixed wing liaison aircraft - Cessna O-1 Bird Dog (on loan)
- PC-6 Turbo PorterPilatus PC-6|-See also:-References:* Lambert, Mark. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–1994. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Data Division, 1993. ISBN 0 7106 1066 1.* Taylor, John W. R. Janes's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1965....
- Bell OH-58 Kiowa (on loan)
Operating bases
- Bien HoaBien Hoa Air BaseBien Hoa Air Base is a Vietnam People's Air Force military airfield located in South-Central southern Vietnam about 20 miles from Saigon near the city of Bien Hoa within Dong Nai Province....
- Vung TauVung Tau AirportVung Tau Airport is a small airport in southern Vietnam. The airport serves the city of Vung Tau and is located near the downtown of the city.-Facilities:There is a 1,800 m paved runway...
- Nui DatLuscombe AirfieldLuscombe Airfield was an airfield at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam . The airfield was built by 1 Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers for the 1st Australian Task Force at Nui Dat...