About This Unit
During the Vietnam War, Australia's 2 Field Ambulance unit, deployed in 1966, was the first Australian Army medical team to serve in a combat zone since World War II. Initially based in Vung Tau, they operated from tents and huts while establishing a 50-bed hospital with assistance from engineering units. The unit comprised a diverse team, including surgical staff with varied experiences and nurses primarily recruited from civilian hospitals, who had to quickly adapt to challenging tropical conditions with limited resources. Their responsibilities encompassed triaging, providing first aid, conducting emergency surgeries, and offering x-ray services. Patients requiring extended care were treated at their hospital, while severe cases were evacuated using "dust-off" helicopters and RAAF C-130 planes for transport back to Australia. The unit's operations attracted visits from high-ranking military officials, including future Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, highlighting their critical role in providing medical care during the conflict .