Well fellas i'm back again but this week i kinda have to get you's to put the old noggins to work, first do you recall what other various duties ADGies performed whilst on Active Service example ; Bob Hegarty flying with the yanks as forward air control observer, And Tony Huntley who i believe flew on the yank gunships, fellas i'm looking for some articles on these activities whoops almost forgot Barry Williamson got the fellas from 2 Sqn working with the 7/17th Air Cavalry as a means of a faster QRF.
Fellas i look forward to your assistance as i have a special project in the pipeline.
Regards the POM
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Airfield Defence Guards
East Timor
Many Thanks to John H Farrell for the use of his story and photo's of the ADGies in East Timor.
Please remember fellas that John has the copyright to these.
The R.A.A.F's 2AFDS in East Timor
Operation Stabilise
2AFDS ADG's confer on the Komoro Hardstand.
2 AFDS ADG armed with an F-88 Steyr guards aircraft at Komoro Strip
A 2 AFDS Patrol moves out from the airstrip as seen through night vision lens.
ADGies conduct a night clearance of a gutted technical college equipped with Ninox night vision systems.
An ADG patrols the thick Banana and Suger plantation along Komoro strip
A 2 ADFS Recon gun buggy takes position as a US Navy LCAC(Landing Craft Air Cushioned) hits the beach at Komoro.
2 AFDS Escort returning militia families to their homes in Dilli---
Militia returnees were a big problem.
2 AFDS pour out lead from their recon vehicles during a range practise at Jesus Beach outside of Dilli.
2 AFDS Recon buggies rigged with twin flex mounted 7.62mm MAG-58's prowl Komoro Airport's perimeter tracks during October 99.
Both ADG custom rigs and regional force surveillance vehicles were used during Stabilise.
2 AFDS ADG's get comfortable while PUSKUS lurk nearby.
ADG's fly the INTERFET flag during patrols on Atauro Island.
ADG's occupy the high ground above Komoro Airport.
Settling in during a tropical sunset at a sandbagged Observation post
atop the ridgeline that directly overlooked Komoro Airport.
The position was held by militia when INTERFET arrived in East Timor.
Maintaining a presence, a 2 AFDS Recon buggy patrols
an East Timor suburb near the airport.
2 ADFS ADG's patrol across the Komoro bridge.
The bridge was the site of a major riot after locals objected to the return of a militia family.
A large cache of TNI AD weapon parts recovered from a partially burnout armoury.
The weapon parts were destroyed by the ADG's.
To read the full story you would need to obtain a copy of the,
Australian and New Zealand Defender magazine No 30.
Again John thanks for allowing us to reproduce this section of your magazine.
The Book
Well fellas if you can handle poor english and the odd spelling mistake then you will proberly be happy to know that the POM is going to assemble a book on our Brothers so if you would like to donate articles or stories then in about 12 months time heaven forbid it should contain enough to warrant possible publishing, hopefully it will contain exploits from Vietnam and on, my aim is to keep it grass roots and not a technical wonder.
Helping to get the ADGie story written
The POM
Hi Rob,
I will do that and it is good to see you are writing a book on the exploits
of the ADGS,I have kept some of my audio tapes I made back then so I will
scout them and see if there are any other stories that may be of interest. I
remember the Canberra bombing mission so I think I can give you a good insight
about the mission.
I hope the photos came out okay for you to use them.
Regards
Les.
Linking to the RAF Regiment
Hi ya bob
Sorry I have,nt wrote earlier, i,m up to my neck in work at the moment and have put a lot of things off for tomorrow and as you know, tomorrow never comes. As for the web site,I,m afraid I cant link to yours as the web site people i,m with have stopped us uploading and I think they are going to close the sites side of things down. I,ve got no immediate plans at the moment to do another site or move the one i,ve got to another place as i,m chocoblock with things to do but as soon as I do i,ll send you my url and link the sites together. Also congratulations on your site as I think its a cracker, and I now know what the hell a flying flea is. I think maybe one day if I ever get the time, I might have a go at building one of them, maybe tomorrow...
Anyway, nice to hear from you bob, take care Taffy
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Canal Dunking
Before
Nit-Noy taking a bit of a dip with a little help from Bluey Millar
For those not familier with the above nick-name of "Nit Noy" as given to Flt Lt Barry Williamson
it kinda means (Little Shit) a badge he wore with bravado until finding out what the boys had christened him.
After
Tracking them down
G`Day Pom,
Don`t know if this still holds true but Dave Manson was living in WA a while back, in the City of Midland area.
He was working for the Perth City Council as a model maker --- I THINK.
Don
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Gday Don,
Please pop them over mate scan and jpg them Don and attach them to your email.
As regards slides you will need a proper slide scanner to get results .
Otherwise put them in the mail to me at
90 station st Weston NSW 2326 and when i'm finished i'll put them on CD and return the lot to you if you like.
Do you get the chance to see Dave at all if so say gday for me will you haven't seen him since the reunion in brisbane many years ago.
regards the POM
----- Original Message -----
From: don and kerry smithers
To: Robert Cornwell
Cc: Robert Cornwell
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 10:48 PM
Subject: photos
Pom,
I have some photos ( somewhere ) of Ubon and I think Phan Rang ( 2 Sqn ) if i can find them think they`ll be of interest how do I get them to you ? By scanning and e-mail ? I know I have a lot of slides but I don`t know how well they`d scan, I might try it with a piece of white paper behind them and see what happens.
Don.
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Our Joke Page
Pom,
In my humble opinion you should leave the photo of "how real men water -- ski" on the site somewhere Mate.
I reckon that was a beauty and it certainly entertained some of the people I showed it to
Catch you later Pal, take care and you`re doing a terrific job Mate
don
Les Williams Vietnam Collection
Well fellas step back a good thirty or so years.
ADGies on Bombing missions??
Les drops a biggen
Thanks Les
.
Hi Rob,
Thanks for acknowledging me on the site for sending you that information
about the ADGS,only one error though it was the 1968 2sqn magazine not 69 but
that is not here or there. The other things adg's did at Phan Rang was fly as
observers on the Canberra's on bombing missions over Vietnam I flew on one and
flew down to Saigon and bomb some vc there I will attach the certificate to
verify this also I have tried to get some of my photos done and I will
attach with this email I hope you receive them so they can be put up on the
site.
I have done them in blocks of three and will explain the best of my ability
of what they are about.
Hope these arrive okay.
Regards
Les.
In Vietnam 1 first photo the photo is taken of me and
a ruff puff (regional provincial force) up in one of the villages where we
used to go .
Vietnam 1 photo 2 This photo is of us ready to go on patrol 1st man with his
back to us is Noel Brown,looking back this way is John Alberdie,the one
bending with the red on his hat is Trevor Petith,standing beside him looking
down is Phil McGuire,in front of him which you can't see his face is Dave
Dubber,to the right of Phil McGuire is Bill Hazel and to the right of him is
Graham Coles,the bloke up in front of Dubber I don't know I think he was just
a airman going out with us on his day off.
Vietnam 1 photo 3 On patrol with his back to us is Bob Hepe the two up front
I don't remember their names.
Vietnam 2 Photo 1 On patrol first scout is Trevor Petith followed by Graham
Coles.
Photo 2 going up the hill somewhere in Phan Rang.
Photo 3 Bob Hepe looking back.
Vietnam 3 Photo 1 in a villiage Bill Hazel up front and Graham Coles behind.
Photo 2 in a villiage.
Photo 3 Father and his kids at the well.
Vietnam 4 Photo 1 is the ruff puff aiming his AK 47 for the picture.
Photo 2 At one of the compounds.
Photo 3 child riding a buffalo.
Vietnam 5 Photo 1 myself poseing with the M60,Photo 2 the rice paddies Photo
3 Going out on patrol again,(all photos taken in 68)
Type your paragraph here.
Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Museum,
Photo 1 inside the memorial and
Photo 2 at the Vietnam Veterans Museum at San Remo Phillip Island Victoria
(Well worth a look)
Memorial. Photo 1 myself at the memorial Photo 2 the memorial Photo 3 inside
the memorial.
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G'Day Pom.
Just giving you an update:
THE NEW DOMAIN - NAME REGISTERED. THE NEW SITE IS UP AND RUNNING AGAIN
http://www.udfisd.com.au
Dear All
I am pleased to advise that we are back on line, bigger and better, with much more work to be done on updating material that has been causing a little bit of a back log, since our last host site shut it's doors to us with site hosting in the USA.
I am pleased to report our new "Domain" Title and all is hosted in Australia. The registration for Domain Name: udfisd.com --- registered in The USA has also been acquired, to reduce any risk associated with name disputes. (There is no site for it at this time).
The options for us with our own domain are yet to be fully implemented. You will be kept updated as items are added. A quick look has some pages that need to be re adjusted due to the fact that advertising banners have been removed, which will mean fixing some pages, it all takes time. There is no intention to run any Web Rings or Advertising Banners or items outside of our dedicated objective.
I trust you will make every effort to see that all those who you are still in contact with, get their contact e-mail on their unit roll ---" IT IS FREE " !!! for listing their contact e-mail.
The Webmaster is Edmond (ED), also the owner of the site.
The CEO is Anthony T Roberts (Hush)
Again Pleased to advise our current status.
Hush
: Enter me on the FREE Roll --------*****--------: I want to become a Member
Put my e-mail next to my name, so friends can contact me.
UNITED DEFENCE FORCE (UDF)
INTERNATIONAL Service Directory
*****************************************
E-mail: Directory Service: List your E-mail
Locate your Friends. Who are you trying to locate?
How do your friends find you? Free Listing !
***********************************************
United Defence Force International Service Directory. (UDF)
Home site: http://www.udfisd.com.au
E - mail: udfisd@optushome.com.au
To All Veterans': "Welcome Home"
.
The 1969 2 Squadron Magazine
Here a few weeks ago i put up on site a rather poor copy of this extract from this magazine
if you click below you will find something much beter to read .
Thanks to Les Williams for sending this on to me.
The POM.
.
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The 1969 2 Squadron Magazine
Airfield Defence
In common with all bases in South Vietnam, Phan Rang must be secured , as far as this is possible, against ground assault by enemy forces and against rocket and mortar attack . No 2 Squadron makes an active contribution to the defence of the base with its own flight of Airfield Defence Guards (ADG's). Performing a role in which they have proved themselves thoroughly competent, the Squadrons ADG's provide Phan Rang with an Air Force element unique among bases in this Country. In the paddies, scrub or foothills of the base defensive perimeter they conduct ambush patrols to help counter Viet Cong Attempts at penetration and harassment of the base.
The external area defence of the base provided by elements of the Republic of Korea Army, and the internal security by the United States Air Force. Between the two and in a quite different role , but thoroughly co-ordinated with both , the ADG's of 2 Squadron patrol through the night . They also sweep through the area by day to seek any trace of enemy activity. to familiarize themselves with the ever changing pattern of the countryside and to let it be known that there is no"no mans land " in the vicinity of their base---to keep the base free from interference, the area must be dominated by friendly forces .
The responsibility is a large one for a small group to accept. They cannot be everywhere---but they can be anywhere and the enemy is never sure where. To date they have had eight contacts in their sphere of influence and it is a proud record that never has that part of the base screened by their patrolling ever been harassed.
Contacts have always been in darkness and usually in close country; although blood trails have Twice been found following an engagement, and on one occasion two Viet Cong bodies were found a little further out, no positive claim can yet be made. The significance of the Squadron effort in this direction has been most evident from the marked reduction of enemy harassment within a few days of the start of ADG perimeter patrolling.
Night ambushes and daylight reconnaissance patrolling are by no means the extent of the airfield defence guards task at Phan Rang . Almost daily, escorts accompany the chaplain and medical officer on their civic action visits in and around the city and neighbouring hamlets. Periodic visits to other civic action programmes up to 20 kilometres beyond the confines of the base , into the foothills below the rugged mountain ranges of Ninh Thuan Province, warrant the deployment of a full section , well armed and properly trained to afford protection .
Escorts are constantly in touch by radio
with either the air base or the nearest local army advisor as they travel.
Although there have been many and frequent incidents in the area , and scarcely veiled threats of interference with these activities , the squadrons careful attention to the need for preparedness and constant vigilance has deterred any diect action.
In both its domestic and work areas at Phan Rang , No 2 Squadron enjoys the benefit of adequete overhead bunker protection from mortar bombardment . Many long hours have been spent by the airfield defence guards and other squadron members constructing and maintaining these defensive positions .
The Squadron has its own firing range adjacent to the base where all its members use their fire arms regularly to maintain a standard of combat readiness essential to all units in Vietnam .Airfild Defence Guards maintain and supervise the range , and are naturally its most frequent users. All members of the flight maintain proficiency on all flight weapons in both day and night handling and firing .
Lastly but by no means least , all airfield defence guards not out at night take their turn on stand by for immediate readiness for deployment. either to act as a quick reaction force in the event of penetration of the base or for counter attack should the need arise.
The life of an ADG at Phan Rang is certainly active , varied and interesting.
In the 3 1/2 year period from January 1968 to June 1970 Phan Rang Air Base was subjected to sparodic ground attacks during which a total of 784 mortar rounds and rockets exploded. The closet the attacks came to the RAAF of No 2 Squadron was on 5 May 1968 when eight mortar rounds of chinese origion landed in the domestic area just after midnight. Sandbagged bunkers had been provided to give protection against this form of attack and the personnel quickley moved into them.
Note 1, Mortar Attack nearly wipes out
2Sqn Airmans Barracks
The heaviest attack on Phan Rang came in January 1969 when two companies of North Vietnamese-Viet-Cong sappers raided the base. They bombed F100's in the revetments, destroying two and damaging nine in addition to damaging six aircraft of other types. Eighteen enemy were killed and the Americans suffered some casulties. Loss and damage amouted to millions of dollars ; security procedures at the base were reviewed after the attack. A mortar attack the following month caused further heavy damage and casulties but the remainder of the year damage was slight.
Note 2, Heavy Mortar Attack, Viet Cong Casulties and American
morning showed scenes of total carnage.
The external defence of Phan-Rang base was the responsibility of elements of the R O K (Republic of Korea ) army forces in Vietnam .
Internal air base security was the responsibility of the United States Air Police. The US air police did not operate beyond the perimeter wire. But no such limitation was placed on the RAAF Airfield Defence Guards assigned to protection of the RAAF at Phan-Rang .
The RAAF ADG's were engaged with other forces in the setting up of ambushes and the mounting of patrols beyond the perimeter to a distance of 1500 metres. In adition each main base unit at Phan Rang , including No 2 Squadron had the responsibility of providing at short notice a quick reaction force to assist the US Air Police at the outer defence line when necessary . No 2 Squadron was required to make 10 men available for this purpose on 15 minutes notice.
Note 3, Only Australians outside the wire were the ADGies
many contacts with the Viet Cong.
Beyond the perimeter wire , Viet Cong guerillas posed a constant threat to the security of Phan Rang Air Base, its personnel and the enormously costly installations and equipment on the base. Occasionally parties of guerillas broke through the perimeter defences at night to attack the base . But the most frequent form of attack was the unleashing of mortar and rocket rounds into the base from beyond the wire ,particularly from the area of a moutain known to the defenders as "Old Smokey".
Note 4, Constant Rocket and Mortar attacks on Phan Rang .
The year saw two more raids by the Viet Cong sappers, one on 11 Febuary when six enemy were sighted penetrating the fence near the end of the runway and another during July when a party of would be saboteurs were discovered before reaching the fence . The RAAF ADGies were involved in both incidents . On the 11 Febuary one of the RAAF patrols , led by Corporal Noel Power of Elizabeth Fields South Australia, ambushed the enemy sappers . The sappers had been dicovered by USAF forces as they probed the perimeter. On his own initiative Corpral Power moved his patrol to provide a cut off force . Almost immediately the enemy appeared and in the ensuing fight a North Vietnames officer was wounded and later captured in a datlight sweep through the area . The prisoner provided valuable information on plans and methods used for attacks on Phan Rang.
Note 5, More contacts with Viet Cong Sappers, ADGies Wounded
For his part in the action Corporal Power was awarded the Military Medal , the first such award to a member of the RAAF since the 2nd World War .
In the second incident in July an ADG ambush patrol contacted a VC sapper force and in thre ensuing fight two ADG;s suffered gunshot wounds with unknown results against the enemy.
Note 6, Only Military Medal won by an ADGie.
Re Guest Book
Thanks to some friggen clown we have lost the entries in our Guest book i'll organise a new one sometime today to all those who added entries i thank you for your kind words and support maybe the yahoo g/b is to easy a target
Sorry fellas for the inconvience
The POM
Remembering Ubon 67-68
Gee fellas you never treated me that good when i came back to base
You old fellas would have to remember this guy?
Both the above photo's are from our old mate Panno.