dinomartino1
Well-Known Member
The 135th Assault Helicopter Company was activated at Fort Hood, Texas on 1 February 1967.
In October 1967 the unit deployed to Vung Tau, The Republic of Vietnam. At the time of deployment the Australian Government dispatched a Navy Helicopter flight to Vietnam . The Australian flight was assigned to the 135th, and the unit became known as an "Experimental Military Unit", or EMU for short.
The 135th AHC consisted of two troop carrying flights and a gunship flight known as the 'Taipans'.
The unit's first roll in Vietnam was to support the Royal Australian Task Force and other free-world units
working in III and IV Corps. To facilitate operations the 135th moved to Blackhorse in December 1967 and then to Bear Cat in November 1968.
On 8 September 1970, the EMU's moved again,this time to Dong Tam, supporting Vietnamese Army units in the Delta. As other Aviation units in the Delta deactivated, the onlyUS/Australian helicopter unit in existence took up the slack. The 135th daily flew great distances from home station insupport of the war effort. As the only completely integrated Multi-national Helicopter Company fighting in Viet Nam the EMU's developed pride and dedication to their motto,"GET THE BLOODY JOB DONE". In 1971, the EMU's moved to Di An.
In June 1971, the Royal Australian Navy portion of the 135th deactivated and was replaced by US personnel.
US Flyers hot weather shirt : Naval Air Mechanic (Weapons) A J R Curran, Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam.
Sewn to the right pocket is the cloth badge of the 135 Assault Helicopter Company 'Taipan' gunship flight.
Black scarf with Taipan badge : Naval Air Mechanic (Weapons) A J R Curran, Royal Australian Helicopter Flight Vietnam.
During his first operational deployment he served as a Naval Air Mechanic in Korean waters from 27 October 1953 until 2 June 1954 as a member of 805 Squadron serving aboard the carrier HMAS Sydney.
The 135th AHC consisted of two troop carrying flights and a gunship flight known as the 'Taipans'. It was with this flight that Curran served as a crew chief/ gunner and held the American rank of sergeant. During February 1971 he was presented with the American Purple Heart for wounds received in action. When it was later found that he was not an American citizen the award was cancelled. He received a Naval Board Commendation for his service from the RAN
He was awarded a United States Air Medal for his actions in assisting in the rescue of a downed helicopter crew during an operation in the U Minh Forest, An Xuyen Province. The crew of the helicopter were surrounded by Viet Cong forces and the pilot of Curran's helicopter flew to assist. Upon arrival over the area, Curran provided accurate suppressing fire, which allowed the downed crew to be rescued by another nearby helicopter.
Pictured are MAJ Harry T. Woodmansee (EMU 6) & CPT Walker Knight (EMU 26) US army in 1969. The 135th AHC was the only aviation company in Vietnam authorised to wear navy blue berets that was a part of the RAN uniform.
1968 – 69 R.A.N 2nd Contingent
A UH-1N helicopter that was flown by RAN EMU Flight Vietnam in 1968 on display at the RAN fleet air arm museum.
In October 1967 the unit deployed to Vung Tau, The Republic of Vietnam. At the time of deployment the Australian Government dispatched a Navy Helicopter flight to Vietnam . The Australian flight was assigned to the 135th, and the unit became known as an "Experimental Military Unit", or EMU for short.
The 135th AHC consisted of two troop carrying flights and a gunship flight known as the 'Taipans'.
The unit's first roll in Vietnam was to support the Royal Australian Task Force and other free-world units
working in III and IV Corps. To facilitate operations the 135th moved to Blackhorse in December 1967 and then to Bear Cat in November 1968.
On 8 September 1970, the EMU's moved again,this time to Dong Tam, supporting Vietnamese Army units in the Delta. As other Aviation units in the Delta deactivated, the onlyUS/Australian helicopter unit in existence took up the slack. The 135th daily flew great distances from home station insupport of the war effort. As the only completely integrated Multi-national Helicopter Company fighting in Viet Nam the EMU's developed pride and dedication to their motto,"GET THE BLOODY JOB DONE". In 1971, the EMU's moved to Di An.
In June 1971, the Royal Australian Navy portion of the 135th deactivated and was replaced by US personnel.
US Flyers hot weather shirt : Naval Air Mechanic (Weapons) A J R Curran, Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam.
Sewn to the right pocket is the cloth badge of the 135 Assault Helicopter Company 'Taipan' gunship flight.
Black scarf with Taipan badge : Naval Air Mechanic (Weapons) A J R Curran, Royal Australian Helicopter Flight Vietnam.
During his first operational deployment he served as a Naval Air Mechanic in Korean waters from 27 October 1953 until 2 June 1954 as a member of 805 Squadron serving aboard the carrier HMAS Sydney.
The 135th AHC consisted of two troop carrying flights and a gunship flight known as the 'Taipans'. It was with this flight that Curran served as a crew chief/ gunner and held the American rank of sergeant. During February 1971 he was presented with the American Purple Heart for wounds received in action. When it was later found that he was not an American citizen the award was cancelled. He received a Naval Board Commendation for his service from the RAN
He was awarded a United States Air Medal for his actions in assisting in the rescue of a downed helicopter crew during an operation in the U Minh Forest, An Xuyen Province. The crew of the helicopter were surrounded by Viet Cong forces and the pilot of Curran's helicopter flew to assist. Upon arrival over the area, Curran provided accurate suppressing fire, which allowed the downed crew to be rescued by another nearby helicopter.
Pictured are MAJ Harry T. Woodmansee (EMU 6) & CPT Walker Knight (EMU 26) US army in 1969. The 135th AHC was the only aviation company in Vietnam authorised to wear navy blue berets that was a part of the RAN uniform.
1968 – 69 R.A.N 2nd Contingent
A UH-1N helicopter that was flown by RAN EMU Flight Vietnam in 1968 on display at the RAN fleet air arm museum.
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