Preparing for 2 Squadron RAAF

In February 1967 a detachment from 5 Airfield Construction Squadron along with a small 2 Squadron advance party arrived at Phang Rang Air Base, 250 km north-east of Saigon to prepare for the Squadrons arrival. The Australians were welcomed to Vietnam (on radio) by "Hanoi Hanna".

In the words of former RAAF Sergeant Robert ‘Ron’ Campbell, who served with 5 ACs and 2 Squadron in Vietnam: "The 5ACS detachment arrived in Saigon from Singapore where we were ushered straight onto a Caribou to Vung Tau. At Vung Tau we were given a quick meal,
issued with weapons, loaded back onto the Caribou and flown to Phang Rang. You can imagine the look on the faces of the Americans who were waiting with movie cameras rolling to welcome the Aussies in their slouch hats, only to be greeted by a group of people, dressed in new suits (purchased) in Singapore) with rifles over their shoulders!"

The airfield construction men worked in cooperation with American troops. They worked long hours to construct 2 Squadron's living quarters, messes, dining hall, headquarters and maintenance hangar.

Information supplied by Brendan Lynch, Secretary of the RAAF Vietnam Veterans Association