While the Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANHFV), formed in 1966, is well known, not so widely known is the role that was played by personnel of the RAN’s Fleet Air Arm (FAA)for the Vietnam War.

The FAA served in a war that depended heavily on tactical air movement of combat troops, supplies, and equipment, in what was eventually called air-mobile operations. The unit was officially designated ‘EMU’, for Experimental Military Unit. EMU lost five aircrew members who were killed in action and were the most highly decorated Navy unit in Vietnam.

The he N.A.A. (Naval Association of Australia Queensland) is holding a service to highlight the service of members of the Royal Australia Navy. This month they will honour Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam: EMU. A short ceremony is held at 10.30am on the last Thursday of every month at the Jack Tar statue in the South Brisbane Memorial Park.  At each ceremony, a guest from the relevant part of the RAN tells their story in front of veterans, serving RAN personnel, descendants and the general public.

The ceremony on May 27 will honour those lost in the War, Lieutenant Commander Patrick VickersSub Lieutenant Antony Huelin, and Leading Seaman Noel Shipp. As well, Lieutenant Anthony Casadio and Petty Officer O’Brien Phillips paid the ultimate sacrifice on 21 August 1968 when their helicopter was downed by enemy fire.

Leading Airman Aircrewman (LACM), Noel Shipp was the door gunner in the lead gunship escorting troop-carrying helicopters of the 11th Regiment. When his helicopter was hit, crash-landed, and burst into flames, LACM Noel Shipp was seen to continue firing at the enemy until the moment of impact. The RANHFV suffered its first casualty during a mission to lift out troops of the 18th Army of the Republic of Vietnam near Xuan Loc. Lieutenant Commander PJ Vickers was fatally wounded while piloting the lead aircraft.

In January 1969, Lieutenant Antony Huelin was ordered to fly from Bearcat Base to the Seven Mountains area, Chau Doc Province however there were low cloud and fog conditions. SBLT Huelin was unwilling to abandon the important mission so he took off on the long flight early in the morning and hit the power lines just before dawn, killing himself and three American servicemen.

The ceremony arranged by the N.A.A. (Naval Association of Australia Queensland) will highlight the service of members of the Royal Australia Navy. This month we will honour Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam: EMU. A short ceremony is held at 10.30 am on the last Thursday of every month at the Jack Tar statue in the South Brisbane Memorial Park. At each ceremony, a guest from the relevant part of the RAN tells their story in front of veterans, serving RAN personnel, descendants, and the general public.

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