To address pilot shortages, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) aircrew were integrated into the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) No 9 Squadron in 1968. These pilots performed critical roles, including medical evacuations, SAS extractions and reconnaissance operations. This collaboration provided vital support until RAAF pilot training was consolidated in 1969.
In 1967, No 9 Squadron RAAF was operating in direct support of the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) at Nui Dat. Later that year, the squadron was re-equipped with larger Iroquois helicopters than those with which it had previously operated, and its strength doubled to 16 aircraft.
Already heavily committed in South Vietnam, Malaysia and at home, the RAAF was short of trained aircrew.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) was approached to provide temporary assistance by providing pilots, 8 of whom joined the squadron in 1968. In addition to the RAN detachment, 13 Royal New Zealand Air Force pilots flew with 9 Squadron.
Flying with RAAF aircrews, RAN pilots provided covering fire for MEDEVAC aircraft and were sometimes asked to evacuate wounded soldiers in their single-stretcher helicopters. They escorted gunships during combat assaults and retrieved Special Air Service (SAS) patrols from enemy-occupied areas, often performing 'hot extractions' while in contact with the enemy.
The squadron also conducted 'people sniffer' missions in a specially equipped helicopter fitted with sensors. As the helicopter flew low over the jungle canopy, the sensors would analyse air samples to detect concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2). This would supposedly indicate a concentration of people or CO2 coming from air vents in underground enemy bunkers in the area.
The RAN detachment remained in South Vietnam until April 1969, enabling the RAAF to consolidate its Vietnam-specific pilot training program. Many of the RAN pilots also flew missions with the RAN Helicopter Flight (RANHFV) during their time in South Vietnam.