Showing 79 items matching "united states. air force"
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Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Memorabilia, Aircraft propeller
The Stinson L - 5 Sentinel was a World War 11- era liaison aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces, U.S Army Ground Forces, U>S Marine Corps and the British Royal Air Force. It was produced by the Stinson Division of the Vultee Aircraft Company (Consolidated - Vultee from mid- 1943). Capable of operating from short unimproved airstrips the L - 5 Sentinel delivered personnel, intelligence, and supplies to the front line. On return flights it carried wounded soldiers who were evacuated to rear area field hospitals for treatment. The L - 5 carried a pilot and observer. It had a length of 24.1 feet, wingspan of 34 feet, It had a maximum speed of 130 mph, a cruise speed of 100 mph with a range of 375 miles.The L - 5 was a significant asset to the allied war effort.Wooden propeller from Lycoming engine, with photograph of aircraft. Stinson L 5 Sentinal reconnaissance plane used in Korea and Vietnam. Propeller displayed from a similar plane. -
Tramways/East Melbourne RSL Sub Branch - RSL Victoria Listing id: 27511
Memorabilia - Framed Citation for KOREA, 1950 - KOREA - 1953
Four framed pages detailing Citations given to units after the Korean Conflict. Top Left - 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery for Meritorious Service and Heroism Top Right - 77 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force for Meritorious Service and Heroism Bottom Left - 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment for deserved honour and distinction Botton Right - 7th Fleet, United States Navy for Meritorious Servicekorea, korean war, syngman rhee, 16th field regiment royal new zealand artillery, 77 squadron royal australian air force, 3rd battalion royal australian regiment, 7th fleet united states navy, citation -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Leadership group the day before the Battle of Ngok Tavak, 9/05/1968 12:00:00 AM
Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Coloured image of 7 soldiers (5 shirtless) posed on the edge of a foxhole with jungle in background. L-R Willie Swicegood (USA), John White (AATTV-Aus), Ken Benway (USA), Frank Lucas (Aust), Clay Aitkins (USA), Glenn Miller (USA), Don Cameron (Aust)john white, aattv, battle of ngok tavak -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Battle, Captain M.R. ed, The Year of the Tigers: The Second Tour of 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment in South Vietnam, 1969-70. (Copy 2)
On the 15th February, 1969, 5 RAR returned to South Vietnam for its second tour of operations.On the 15th February, 1969, 5 RAR returned to South Vietnam for its second tour of operations. vietnam war, 5 rar, australian army, armed forces of the united states, south vietnamese, royal australian air force, phuoc tuy province -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Savage, David, Through the Wire: Action with the SAS in Borneo and the Special Forces in Vietnam. (Copy 1)
The United States Special Forces, the Green Berets were often regarded as the elite of the American forces and their mobile strike force, the "Mike Force' , was considered the elite of these.The United States Special Forces, the Green Berets were often regarded as the elite of the American forces and their mobile strike force, the "Mike Force' , was considered the elite of these.australia. army. australian army training team, vietnam, special air service regiment (australian army), united states. army. special forces, green berets, sas, mike force, the montagnards, david savage -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Captain John White, AATTV, arrives in Vietnam, January 1968, 1/01/1968 12:00:00 AM
Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Coloured image of John (Jed) White, aged 26 arriving at Tan Son Nhut Airport in full uniform, bag straps over left shoulder. Close- up of chest and head with plane visible in the background.AWM - p 11058,001capt john (jed) white, aattv, battle of ngok tavak -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Plaque, Mobile Strike Force Shield
Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)A wooden shield painted grey/black celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Ngok Tavak. There are three messages from mates written in black on the back. The shield was presented to Capt John (Jed) White.Presented to Captain John White, AATTV from the men of the Mobile Strike Force, Danang, Vietnam, 1968.mobile strike force, capt john (jed) white, shield, battle of ngok tavak -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Sketch of Battle Map, Ngok Tavak, Mary 1968
Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Annotated hand-drawn map of the fort at Ngok Tavak, 10 May 1968.battle of ngok tavak, john white, battle map -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Book, Savage, David, Through the wire: action with the SAS in Borneo and the Special Forces in Vietnam. (Copy 2)
The United States Special Forces, the Green Berets were often regarded as the elite of the American forces and their mobile strike force, the "Mike Force' , was considered the elite of these.The United States Special Forces, the Green Berets were often regarded as the elite of the American forces and their mobile strike force, the "Mike Force' , was considered the elite of these.australia. army. australian army training team, vietnam, special air service regiment (australian army), united states. army. special forces, green berets, mike force, the montagnards -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Document, United States of America, The Distinguished Flying Cross
On A4 gloss paper is the details from the United States of America of the Distinguished Flying Cross which was awarded to Flight Lieutenant Garry G. Cooper from Royal Australian Air Force for Heroism While Participating in Aerial Flight on the 6 May 1968. See photograph for more information on this award. The details are in black on a yellow background. There is a copy of a medal at the top of the document and it is signed by the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Air Force. photocopy, flt lt g.g. cooper, garry cooper, 0219964, pilot, distinguished flying cross, australian force vietnam, raaf, united states of america, royal australian air force -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Document, Certificate of Combat Service
A copy of a Certificate of Combat Service. There is an insignia between Certificate and Combat Service. Under Combat Service reads Be it known to all men that Captain Gary G. Cooper served with the 9th Infantry Division in Armed conflict against insurgent forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Under this is the signature of Julian J Ewell - Major General USA. Commanding General Down the left hand side there is a red and yellow stripe with an US insignia near the bottom. The background of the certificate is in a beige marbled effect.certificate, certificate of combat service, united states, flt lt g.g. cooper, gary cooper (flgt lt.), 0219964, flight lieutenant, air pilots, distinguished flying cross, australian force vietnam, raaf, 9th infantry division, republic of vietnam -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Document, United States of America, Recommendation For Decoration for the Distinguished Flying Cross
a 3 X A4 page document for Recommendation for Decoration for Flight Lieutenant Cooper, Garry G. who was based at the Officer's mess, RAAF Base, Williamstown in NSW, Pages two and three describe the reason for the recommendation (see photos for the full story). The document is signed by James T. Patrick, Lt Col, USAF Commander on the 19th July 1968.recommendation for decoration, flt lt g.g. cooper, cooper garry gordon, 0219964, pilot, distinguished flying cross, australian force vietnam, raaf, royal australian air force, raaf base, williamstown, forward air controller, lt. col james t. patrick, usaf, commander -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Document - US Gallantry report, United States of America
On A4 paper is a copy from the Department of the Army, Company B, 3D Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, APO San Francisco 96371. See the photograph for the details of the letter. It is signed by William L Forrester, 1LT, Infantry Commanding.department of the army, company b, 3d battalion, 39th infantry, 9th infantry division, apo san francisco, flt lt g.g. cooper, garry cooper, william l forrester, infantry commanding, 0219964, pilot, distinguished flying cross, australian force vietnam, raaf, royal australian air force -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Award - Cloth badge, C. 1968
... 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron US Air Force United ...Squadron Leader Alan Reed from the Royal Australian Air Force 052363 served in Vietnam from 26 May 1968 until 20 November 1968. He spent most of his tour detached to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, US Air Force. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in June 1989 for his service to the RAAF as Air Officer Commanding, Support Command. For his service with the USAF, Alan Reed was awarded the United States Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster. His final rank with the Air Force was Air Vice Marshal and his last posting was with Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam (RAAF Element) Rectangular woven cloth badge signifying '100 Missions in Vietnam' white, red and black.Ace of Spades insignia.cloth badge, alan reed, royal australian air force, 052363, 12th tactical reconnaissance squadron, us air force, united states distinguished flying cross, air vice marshall allan reed, squadron leader alan reed, pilot, australian force headquarters, raaf, officer of the order of australia -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Award - Cloth badge, C.1968
Squadron Leader Alan Reed from the Royal Australian Air Force 052363 served in Vietnam from 26 May 1968 until 20 November 1968. He spent most of his tour detached to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, US Air Force. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in June 1989 for his service to the RAAF as Air Officer Commanding, Support Command. For his service with the USAF, Alan Reed was awarded the United States Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster. His final rank with the Air Force was Air Vice Marshal and his last posting was with Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam (RAAF Element) Woven cloth badge black, white & grey, flag shaped.Aussie Air Pirate.Skull and Cross Bones .cloth badge, alan reed, alan raymond reed, royal australian air force, 052363, squadron leader alan reed, pilot, headquarters, australian force vietnam, raaf element, 12th tactical reconnaissance squadron, officer of the order of australia, ao, united states distinguished flying cross -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Ceremorial Object - Bracelet, Missing in Action (MIA) - Lt. Col. Orvin C. Jones Jr. USAF 16 Apr 72 NVN. VA
Captain Orvin Clarence Jones Jr., who joined the U.S. Air Force from Virginia, was a member of the 17th Wild Weasel Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing. He was a crew member aboard 'suntan 02? when it went missing, and was lost with the aircraft. His remains were never recovered. After the incident, the Air Force promoted Capt Jones to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col). Today, Lieutenant Colonel Jones is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. His name is also inscribed along with all his fallen comrades on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC.Red coloured aluminium MIA USAF bracelet.Lt. Col. Orvin C. Jones Jr. USAF 16 Apr 72 NVN. VA.bracelet, jones, orvin c. jr. lt. col., us air force, 17th wild weasel squadron, 388th tactical fighter wing, mia - united states, missing in action -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Banner - Banner, framed, 11 Co (Nung)
Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Black framed glass covered flag. Red material with gold fringe, gold writing with Blackbird in the centre with parachute holding 2 white swords standing on a gold star. 11Co. in gold underneath. Gold plaque mounted under the flag.GUIDON OF 11 COY (NUNG) MOBILE STRIKE FORCE (MIKE FORCE) /5th SF GROUP, 1 CORPS, SVN/ A Significant number of AATTV personnel served with this Nung Company based in Da Nang./ At the end of the Vietnam War, this flag was taken by a former US SF officer and held until/ when it was given to former Captain John "Jed" White (AATTV), CO 11 Coy (Nung), who led/ the MIKE Forces at the Battle of Ngok Tavak on 10 May 1968.battle of ngok tavak, mobile strike force, nung, john white -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Booklet, United States Army, Mines And Booby Traps Used By The Viet Cong in South Vietnam. (Copy 1), 1965
This booklet was donated by John Anthony (Tony) Wheal, 0316300 who was a pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force. Tony served with No 9 Squadron in vietnam from April 1969 to April 1970.A cream and black coloured cardboard cover with black information on the front. Top right hand corner reads 7610-66-024-0789. The context in the middle are written in Vietnamese with the English version at the bottom of the page. There are two insignias on the cover. The booklet has a black material binding down the spine.united states - armed forces - service manuals, mines and booby traps, viet cong, booklet, john anthony (tony) wheal, 0316300, flying officer, flying officer john anthony (tony) wheal, no 9 sqn -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Air Power Development Centre, Operation Pelican : The RAAF in the Berlin Airlift, 1948-1949, 2008
In 1948 Britain, France and the United States of America found themselves opposed to their former wartime ally, the Soviet Union, over matters regarding control of the capital of the defeated Nazi German regime. When the Soviets imposed a blockade of the city, the Allies had no option but to begin flying in the necessities of life for the two million inhabitants of the zones under their administration. Thus began the first large-scale humanitarian airlift in history. When Britain turned for support to its Dominion partners, the transport element of the Royal Australian Air Force had recently ceased flying a regular courier service for Australian occupation forces involved in garrisoning another defeated Axis power of World War II, Japan - this role having been handed over to a commercial airline. By September 1948 an unnumbered Australian squadron had joined other RAAF transport crews already engaged as part of the massive allied undertaking. To the Americans the fifteen-month-long operation was codenamed Vittles, while the British called it Plainfare. But to the Royal Australian Air Force personnel involved, the Berlin Airlift was known as Pelican. Here the story is told of the events that made the airlift necessary, what the undertaking entailed and the part that Australians played in it, as well as the outcome and achievements of Operation Pelican.Ill, maps, p.82.non-fictionIn 1948 Britain, France and the United States of America found themselves opposed to their former wartime ally, the Soviet Union, over matters regarding control of the capital of the defeated Nazi German regime. When the Soviets imposed a blockade of the city, the Allies had no option but to begin flying in the necessities of life for the two million inhabitants of the zones under their administration. Thus began the first large-scale humanitarian airlift in history. When Britain turned for support to its Dominion partners, the transport element of the Royal Australian Air Force had recently ceased flying a regular courier service for Australian occupation forces involved in garrisoning another defeated Axis power of World War II, Japan - this role having been handed over to a commercial airline. By September 1948 an unnumbered Australian squadron had joined other RAAF transport crews already engaged as part of the massive allied undertaking. To the Americans the fifteen-month-long operation was codenamed Vittles, while the British called it Plainfare. But to the Royal Australian Air Force personnel involved, the Berlin Airlift was known as Pelican. Here the story is told of the events that made the airlift necessary, what the undertaking entailed and the part that Australians played in it, as well as the outcome and achievements of Operation Pelican.cold war - history, berlin airlift 1948-1949