RAAF FAC History

In 1961 the RAAF began training its own FACs. Eligibility for this training was restricted to experienced fighter pilots who had also completed the Australian Joint Warfare Course. Initially concentrating on producing ground FACs, the training syllabus was progressively developed to include airborne techniques using the CA-25 Winjeel trainer aircraft.

Between 1966 and 1971, 36 of these experienced fighter pilots served as FACs in various units of the USAF throughout South Vietnam.

RAAF participation in USAF FAC operations was an incidental by-product of Australia's general involvement in the Vietnam conflict and was the result of the personal initiative of a series of three individual officers initially sent into the theatre on other duties.

In 1965, as a result of bilateral discussion beginning as early as August 1962, an RAAF pilot, Wing Commander Vance Drummond, joined the Strike Plans Branch of the USAF 2nd Air Division's Tactical Air Control Centre at Tan Son Nhut. After some months with the TACC, this officer, with the support of the Deputy Director, sought opportunities to expand his knowledge of the Tactical Air Control System by working at the DASC at Bien Hoa, and after checking out in the O-1, by flying VR and FAC missions. After gaining further experience, he was transferred to the 19th TASS and spent the remainder of his tour as the ALO attached to the 25th ARVN Division in the Delta.

His replacement, Wing Commander Tony Powell, arrived in Vietnam in December 1966 and followed a similar path, beginning in the TACC at the now HQ 7th Air Force, progressing via DASC Alpha to the 504th TIS (Theatre Indoctrination School) at Binh Thuy and then into the FAC business for the last half of his tour, flying with the ROK 9th Division and finishing as ALO to the Australian Task Force (1ATF). While serving with the ATF, Powel proposed through channels that one of the FAC positions in the TACP be filled by a suitably experienced RAAF officer.

At about the same time, Squadron Leader Rex Ramsey, who had been posted to the Headquarters 1ATF as Officer in Charge of the Air Transport Operations Centre, found himself redundant after an establishment review reduced his position to Flight Lieutenant rank. Based on his earlier fighter experience, he volunteered through HQ RAAF Vietnam to serve the remainder of his tour as a FAC, and after the usual staff level consultations, his offer was gratefully accepted by the USAF. He completed the TIS and was assigned to 22nd TASS, flying with the TACP at Tra Vinh in the Four Corps area.

Meanwhile, RAAF HQ in Australia directed The Commander RAAF Forces in Vietnam (COMRAAFV) to informally approach the USAF about the possibility of attaching three RAAF pilots exclusively for FAC duties. HQ 7th Air Force welcomed this approach and formal agreement was quickly reached. In mid October 1967 the first group of three RAAF dedicated FACs, Flight Lieutenants Pete Smith and Tony Ford and Flying Officer Brian Fooks, arrived in country. Shortly thereafter, Tony Powell was replaced by Wing Commander Barry Thomas, who followed the TACC/DASC/FAC pattern of his predecessors.

As the table below indicates, eight more groups were to follow over the years until 1971, when all Australian forces and personnel withdrew from Vietnam.

At the end of his tour in Vietnam each Aussie FAC returned to resume his career in the RAAF. Over the years the number of Vietnam FACS remaining in the RAAF slowly dwindled as they resigned to pursue new civilian careers or reached retiring age for rank. Fourteen rose to the rank of Wing Commander, nine more to Group Captain and four to One, Two or Three Star rank. They achieved a total of 52 British Commonwealth and US gallantry awards between them. Altogether an impressive record for such a small group.

Tragically, two of the pioneers, Vance Drummond and Tony Powell, were killed in accidents shortly after their return from Vietnam. Bruce Searle and Dave Owens have since succumbed to illness. The 32 still vertical at the time of writing (November 2001) are in regular contact.