BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
On Monday 18 August 2025, AFA-SA stood alongside WGCDR (Retd) Bob Redman, President 9 SQN Association (a sub-branch of the AFA-NSW), and other 9SQN veterans at the 2025 Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Service at the Vietnam War Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide, to honour those who served in the Vietnam War and in particular, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation.
A large group of proud 9SQN veterans wearing their distinctive 9SQN light blue/dark blue striped ties with the 9SQN Albatross Badge attended the service. These included AVM (Retd) Mac Weller, who completed one year at Vung Tau as the 9SQN Senior Engineering Officer in Vietnam, returning to Australia to serve for more than 40 years in the RAAF including serving as the Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command. Other 9SQN veterans at the event included pilots, crewman, gunners, flight fitters and general maintenance personnel as well Navy aviators such as Geoff Vidal who served with 9SQN in Vietnam.
They joined the current Commanding Officer No 9 Squadron, WGCDR Laurie Benier, and WOFF Andrew Ribbans, No 9 Squadron, Squadron Warrant Officer, who are based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in honouring the six 9SQN aviators who lost their lives in the service of their nation in the Vietnam War:
PLTOFF Betts
FLTLT Lance
LAC Bloxsom
AC Sheriff
CPL Dubber
LAC McNair
They also remembered and honoured the other RAAF personnel who lost their lives in the service of our nation during the Vietnam War and the thousands of others who returned home suffering injuries many of which have remained with them since.
The special service capped off a wonderful weekend for 9SQN veterans in Adelaide who joined contemporary 9SQN aviators at the 9 Squadron Reformation and Vietnam War Legacy Commemoration Parade on Saturday 16 August.
Lest we forget
Story courtesy Group Captain Greg Weller
Imagery
Group image of 9SQN veterans and serving RAAF Officers who attended the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Service at the Vietnam War Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide on 18 August 2025. (Luke Scott Image)
A RAAF aviator stands at post as a member of the tri-service Catafalque Party for the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Service at the Vietnam War Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide, on 18 August 2025. Image Luke Scott.
WGCDR Laury Benier, CO 9SQN, with WOFF Andrew Ribbans, SQNWOFF 9SQN, with WGCDR (Retd) Bob Redman, President 9SQN Association, and AVM (Retd) Mac Weller, former SENGO 9SQN Vietnam) at the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Service at the Vietnam War Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide on 18 August 2025. (Luke Scott Image)
Mr Lawrence Ng, President AFA-SA, with WGCDR (retd) Bob Redman, President 9SQN Association, and GPCAPT Greg Weller, Vice President AFA-SA and RAAF Edinburgh Officer at the 2025 Vietnam veterans Commemorative service at the Vietnam War Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground Adelaide on 18 August 2025. Image Luke Scott.
WGCDR (Retd) Bob Redman prepares to lay a wreath on behalf of 9SQN Association at the 2025 Vietnam veterans Commemorative service at the Vietnam War Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground Adelaide on 18 August 2025. Image Luke Scott.
WGCDR Laury Benier, CO 9SQN, with WOFF Andrew Ribbans, SQNWOFF 9SQN, and WGCDR (Retd) Bob Redman, President 9SQN Association, at the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Service at the Vietnam War Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide on 18 August 2025. (Luke Scott Image)
9SQN Crewman veterans at the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Service at the Vietnam War Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide on 18 August 2025. (Luke Scott Image)
