National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, C.2015
... and training United States Air Force (USAF) pilots and navigators to go... and training United States Air Force (USAF) pilots and navigators to go ...
AVM Alan Reed AO, Tan Son Nhut, Saigon, June - November 1968.
I was an Australian exchange officer flying RF4C Phantoms and training United States Air Force (USAF) pilots and navigators to go to Vietnam. I felt I needed some Vietnam experience if I were to do my job as an instructor. I managed to persuade both the US and Australian Governments to let me go the the war. I claim to be one of the few people 'invited' to the war because, for protocol reasons. the USAF could not order me to go. I was on exchange with the USAF from 1967 to 1970. My job was to fly reconnaissance missions in South and North Vietnam. My navigator was from North Carolina so we named our aircraft the 'Carolina Kangaroo'. All up, I flew 100 missions in Vietnam.
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)
Black and white photo of Alan Reed Sqdr Ldr Pilot at the N.V.V.M. 2015 with supporting info.pilot, alan reed, tan son nhut, saigon, phantom rf4c, united states air force, usaf, "carolina kangaroo"., squadron leader alan reed, royal australian air force, 052363, 12th tactical reconnaissance squadron, officer of the order of australia, raaf, distinguished flying cross, air vice marshall allan reed, headquarters, australian force vietnam