Notice Board

This page will be used to post matters of interest to all members of 161 Recce Association, including past and present members of 161 Recce Sqn. If you have any matters of interest for the notice board please contact Len Avery .

Notice to everyone who served in, or are the NOK of those who served in, 161 (Indep) Recce Flt in Vietnam. We are attempting to locate former unit members on the AWOL list and the NOK of those members on the 'In Memoriam' page.

If you are on email and not in regular contact with Len, or if you know the whereabouts of anyone on the list, please make contact with Len Avery.

Update 11 June 2008 - As previously advised, the 161 Recce Assoc was responsible for ordering and distributing the Army Combat Badges (ACB) to all personnel who were posted or attached to the Flight in Vietnam for the qualifying period of 90 days. In addition to being entitled to the standard size ACB those members who were either a Senior NCO or an Officer when they took discharge are entitled to receive a miniature ACB.

We have now received the miniature ACBs and we have started issuing these badges to those members who are entitled to receive a miniature badge. The issue and distribution of the ACBs is now an ongoing project.

Below is an image of the combat badge that was extracted from the Internet and for those interested in the eligibility and issue of the ACB badge please log onto the Defence Instruction 8/2006 at: http://www.army.gov.au/PUBS/downloads/ap119_01.pdf

The purpose of the Army Combat Badge is to recognise any member of the Army who was force assigned to an infantry, armour, artillery, aviation or combat engineer based combat team/battle group or similar unit/sub unit and who served for a specified period of time on warlike operations.

The badge is finished in burnished bronze and in the form of two crossed swords surrounded by a wreath of laurel. It is approximately 30mm wide and fixed to uniforms by pins and clutch grips.

The Army Combat Badge doesn't replace the Infantry Combat Badge. Only the Army Combat Badge or the Infantry Combat Badge may be worn, not both.

If you are entitled to receive the ACB for your service with the Flight and you have not received your ACB or if you have questions regarding the ACB please contact Len Avery (Telephone 07 46334888).

As the first Australian Army Aviation unit to be deployed on active service, 161 Reconnaissance Flight faced huge challenges. The Flight’s personnel overcame the odds of unfamiliar operations and logistics difficulties to become a key element of the Australian task force. American Bird Dog aircraft were borrowed to boost operational capabilities. Other challenges were met with similarly unorthodox practices, but only the faint-hearted questioned their effectiveness.

The Possum call sign used by 161 was heard from 1965 to 1972 in Vietnam’s crowded skies. During their year of duty pilots flew up to 1200 hours on a range of intelligence-gathering and direct support missions. Their commitment to the Australian ground forces was absolute. Much of their work was at treetop level, and the cry of ‘Possum down’ was often heard as enemy fire took its toll on pilots and aircraft.

Behind the flying lies a tale of dedicated maintenance and general support based on innovation, improvisation and opportunistic acquisition. New faces and aeroplanes replaced the old, but purpose and pride never wavered. There is a rich vein of humour throughout this fine story of men at war. It will appeal to all veterans and those who have an interest in military and general aviation.

The history of 161, entitled Possums and Bird Dogs, was released for sale by publishers Allen & Unwin on 04 August 2006. Look for it in your favourite bookshop or it is available through the 161 Recce Assoc.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the book through the 161 Recce Assoc please contact Len Avery.