In October 1966 a group of 28 soldiers was chosen to form Australia's first specialist Reconnaissance Platoon in the vietnam War. One of this platoon's section commanders was a 20 year old regular soldier called Bob Kearney, who led a series of deadly patrols while the First Australian Task Force established its headquarters in South Vietnam. 1961-1975 - reconnaissance operations, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, australian, cpl bob kearney, 1st australian task force

In 1971 Gary McKay was an Australian platoon commander in what was then South Viet Nam and was seriously wounded in one of Australia's major battles of the Viet Nam War. In 2002 he returned to Viet Nam and retraced the steps of those who had gone before and after him, from 1965 to 1972, in what was Australia's longest lasting war.vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 - battlefields - guidebooks, platoon cammander, gary mckay

In October 1966 a group of 28 soldiers was chosen to form Australia's first specialist Reconnaissance Platoon in the vietnam War. One of this platoon's section commanders was a 20 year old regular soldier called Bob Kearney, who led a series of deadly patrols while the First Australian Task Force established its headquarters in South Vietnam. 1961-1975 - reconnaissance operations, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, australian, cpl bob kearney, 1st australian tast force

In October 1966 a group of 28 soldiers was chosen to form Australia's first specialist Reconnaissance Platoon in the vietnam War. One of this platoon's section commanders was a 20 year old regular soldier called Bob Kearney, who led a series of deadly patrols while the First Australian Task Force established its headquarters in South Vietnam. 1961-1975 - reconnaissance operations, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, australian, cpl bob kearney, 1st australian task force

A black and white photograph of - At Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, 18/08/1969, the Commander, of 1st Australian Task Force, Nui Dat, Brig C.M.I Sandy Pearson MC, is shown over the 1966 Long Tan battle field by Sgt Rankin, one of the original diggers who fought at Long Tan in 1966. Sgt Rankin was on his second tour of duty with 11 Platoon, Delta Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.photograph, 1st australian task force, brig sandy pearson, sgt rankin, d coy, 6 rar, gibbons collection catalogue, battle of long tan, long tan, 11 platoon

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of 1st Australina Task Force Commander Brigadier Ron Hughes standing beside the Commanding Officer Captain Ken Rubin 'Pappy Rabbit' Playboy 16, 1st Platoon 334th Armed Helicopter, prior to going on a flight in the Huey 'Cobra' gunship (Oct 1967 - Oct 1968).photograph, brig ron hughes, 1st platoon, 334th armed helicopter coy, playboy platoon, huey 'cobra' helicopter, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, 1st australian task force, captain ken rubin, pappy rabbit, huey cobra