individual,

I'm sure your childlike mind can come up with the answer all by itself.

Sorry STEELEREDUX, I didn't answer or respond to your questions in its entirety. There were two RILEY's in 9 Sqn, and yes, I knew Frank Riley and Cliffy DOHLE but didn't fly with either of 'em; we were on different tours. Nonetheless, their courage is legendary.

With all their many advantages, Choppers are dangerously vulnerable when in the hover or winching mode. And when heavy monsoonal rains are added to the equation, it makes the whole operation relatively more interesting, requiring the Pilot I/C to have a steady nerve, with reduced visibility, while the A/C is pitching and yawing while trying to maintain the hover.

Your feet are on the rudder peddles, your Cyclic Control is in your right hand, and the Collective Pitch Control is in your left! Coupled with monsoonal rain, and a heavily armed enemy nearby - wonderful!

Because 5 and 9 Sqn's were all rotor-wing specific, thus interchangeable, you got to hear of most of the other blokes in the Sqns, even though you may not have met or spoken with them. 5 Sqn was only deployed on the Malay/Thai Border from (I think) June or July of 1964 till mid-1965. I was attached there from Aug 1964 until June of 1965. And the Indonesian Confrontation was in full swing by then as well.

Surprisingly, many years later, I received a small Registered packet in the mail from the Honours & Awards Section of the Dept. of Defence. It contained the 'Pingat Jasa Malaysia' Medal from the Malaysian Government!

Wow, by the sound of your Dad's profession, he must be one very courageous individual to undertake deep-sea diving! You'd never get me anywhere near a deep-sea diving apparatus, given the dangers would be innumerable. May I ask, is he still living? You must be immensely proud of him. Did he ever serve in the Navy?

Wow, right off-topic again; I am sorry to the moderators and originator of this subject.

Mr Opinion,
You really shouldn't comment if you're lost for answers !

individual,

It's not my role to tell you people what should be done.

I just observe and comment and offer some glimpse into what the future will bring.

It's up to you people as to whether or not you take what I say on board.

That's the reason I am open about my qualifications so that you can judge if what I have to say might have merit.

Thanks to everyone who contributed something
of value to this discussion. For me it's now
run its course.

I look forward to our next one.

Have a nice day and don't forget to light a
candle as the RSL has asked us to do TODAY
ANZAC DAY - and have a minutes silence to
honour our fallen.

Take care.

you can judge if what I have to say might have merit.
Mr Opinion,
Where's the merit ?