• RAAF Airman Aircrew ~ Simply The Best ....
  • Boeing Globemaster C17-A ~ 36 Squadron ....
  • Alenia Spartan C-27J ~ 35 Squadron ....
  • Airbus A330 ~ 33 Squadron ....
  • Boeing 707-338C ~ 33 Squadron ....
  • Boeing E-7A Hawkeye ~ 2 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130J ~ 37 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130H ~ 36 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130E ~ 37 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130A ~ 36 Squadron ....
  • Pacific Aerospace CT4 ~ 1 Flying Training School ....
  • Bombardia Challenger CL604 ~ 34 Squadron ....
  • Beechcraft King Air 350 ~ 32 Squadron ....
  • BAC1-11 ~ 34 Squadron ....
  • Boeing 737 ~ 34 Squadron ....
  • Bell Iroquois UH-1H ~ 9 Squadron ....
  • De Havilland Caribou DHC-4 ~ 38 Squadron ....
  • Boeing Chinook CH-47 ~ 12 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Orion P3 ~ 11 Squadron ....
  • Sikorski Blackhawk UH-60 ~ 9 Squadron ....
  • Douglas DC3 ~ Aircraft Research and Development Unit ....
  • Pilatus PC9 ~ 2 Flying Training School ....
  • Aermacchi MB-326H ~ Roulettes ....

Vale - David John DUBBER MID, A317809, Gunner ....

Corporal David John Dubber MID.   David John Dubber was born on the 17th of April 1943 in Coburg, Victoria.   He joined the Royal Australian Air Force on the 3rd April 1967, and, following recruit training, became an airfield defence guard, graduating on 28th November 1968.   Duties and service locations included Penrith NSW, Amberley QLD and 5 Squadron at RAAF Base Fairbairn ACT.

David was promoted to Leading Aircraftman in November 68, and to Corporal in November 1970.   Completing training and receiving promotion, David was posted from Richmond, NSW, to Saigon, Vietnam, serving with No 2 Squadron from 14th February 1968 until 1st January 1969.   He was to serve in Vietnam twice.

David was Mentioned in Despatches for his leadership, courage and devotion to duty in leading a section of airfield defence guards during his tour in No 2 Squadron.   His second tour of duty to Vietnam commenced on the 5th of May 1971.   He was killed-in-action on the 7th of June 1971 when the 9 Squadron helicopter (Albatross 06) he was crewing as the door gunner, was shot down during a ammunition supply and medevac mission during the Battle of Long Khanh.   David was survived by his wife June and his daughter, Lisa, who was 5 years old at the time.

The Aircraft fell from a height of approximately 120 feet.   A tree branch came through the front windscreen, crushing the pilot Flight Lieutenant Everitt Murray Lance and part of the chopper itself.   Sergeant J. M. Griffiths from 3RAR who been on board to assist unloading the ammunition, fell out of the helicopter and survived the fall but with serious back injuries.   Pilot Officer Greg Forbes (co-pilot), with eight stitches in his nose and the crewman, Corporal Peter Vidler, had also survived with a broken/dislocated shoulder.

Corporal David John Dubber was thrown out of the aircraft on impact with the tree.   Albatross 06 then fell, pinning David under the helicopter by his legs.   David was trying to free himself from the helicopter wreck when the helicopter exploded and burnt.   The crash and subsequent fire was the cause of David′s death.

Corporal David John Dubber MID was buried with full miltary honours in the Garden of Remembrance, Fawkner, Moreland City, Victoria, Australia.   (New Lawn Area East Section B Compartment A Grave 48.   Memorial ID 3753186).

Vietnam Service.
Mustering:   Airfield Defence Guard (Grade 2).