Veteran drops in on an old friend
By Flight Lieutenant Karyn Markwell
A Vietnam veteran renewed acquaintances with the type of aircraft he flew during that war when he visited the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre in early March.
Flight Lieutenant Jeffrey Pedrina (retd) was treated to a personalised tour of the centre with family members in honour of his service to Australia and the re-release of his bestselling book Wallaby Airlines.
Centre volunteer and Vietnam veteran Warrant Officer Victor Smith (retd) took the family on the tour, which included a look inside a de Havilland DHC-4 Caribou, the aircraft type Flight Lieutenant Pedrina flew with 35 Squadron in Vietnam.
During a morning tea with representatives from today’s 35 Squadron, Director-General of History and Heritage – Air Force, Air Commodore Robert Lawson presented Flight Lieutenant Pedrina with the first copy of the re-released Wallaby Airlines.
He said it was an honour to host Flight Lieutenant Pedrina and thanked him for his service.
‘Having you here is a reminder to us all of the importance of remembering the past and those who served before us,’ Air Commodore Lawson said.
The book is Flight Lieutenant Pedrina’s account of serving in Vietnam with 35 Squadron, which was nicknamed ‘Wallaby Airlines’ for its reputation as a hardworking transport squadron.
‘Looks like a good read,’ he quipped, on being presented with the copy of the book.
Flight Lieutenant Pedrina joined the RAAF in 1958 and initially flew C-47 Dakotas with 38 Squadron. He served as a Caribou captain with 35 Squadron in Vung Tau, Vietnam, in 1966 and 1967.
Flight Lieutenant Jeffrey Pedrina (retd), centre, and his family members check out a de Havilland DHC-4 Caribou, the aircraft type he flew during the Vietnam War. Photo: Flight lieutenant Karyn Markwell