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Australia and 5th Air Force Commemorate VP70

  • Published
  • By Capt. George Tobias
  • 5th Air Force, Public Affairs
TOWNSVILLE, Australia --  As American and Australian Flags flew together throughout the weekend; veterans of the Second World War took part in commemorations at Townsville, Aug 15 to 16, marking the end of the war and victory in the Pacific 70 years ago.

The veterans, more than one hundred Australian and one British, many in their 90's, traveled to the city to mark the end of that hard fought war.

On Aug. 15, the city of Townsville honored the veterans of WWII with a parade, a VP70 Memorial Service and Wreath Laying at ANZAC Park, which included a U.S. Air Force B-52 and Australian C-17 flyover, and a bilateral concert featuring the Band of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia.

Also present for the commemorations was Lt. Gen. John Dolan, 5th Air Force Commander. The General, along with members of the Yokota Air Base Honor Guard, who together with the Band of the Pacific-Asia marched in the parade and took part in the memorial service, were there to honor the veterans at the historic city of Townsville, which has deep ties to 5th Air Force history and heritage.

Also marching in the parade and attending the VP70 Memorial Service were approximately 60 soldiers of the Hawaii-based 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, who were in Australia as part of Pacific Pathways.

While the weekend's events focused on the veterans, the United States' role in the defense of Australia and overall victory in the Pacific was also recognized.

"Americans came to this country on mass, with over a million coming through Australia in the Second World War," said Australian Brig. Roger Noble, commander, 3rd Brigade. "The United States was not just the arsenal of democracy, but also its strong sword arm and its smiling face."

During the VP70 Memorial Service Dolan spoke on the U.S.-Australian partnership as it stands today.

"Australia continues to be one of the United States' closes allies in the Pacific and throughout the world," Dolan said. "The alliance forged so many years ago anchors peace and stability in the region and Australia has taken a leading role in addressing regional security and capacity building issues."

The weekend saw an opportunity for the U.S. service members to interact and talk with the veterans, who remember the Americans who came to their country more than 70 years ago.

Speaking on the participation of the U.S. military during the commemoration events, Lancelot Copland, an Australian WWII veteran, said, "I enjoyed that particularly as a veteran. It is good to see the Americans involved because they were a great help to us in that bad time around '42 and '43."

The following day, Aug. 16, there was a memorial service dedicated to the men and women who gave their lives and to the many thousands who gave up their youth to serve their country in 5th Air Force during WWII in the Southwest Pacific.

In the early days of the War, the Far East Air Force which would eventually become 5th Air Force, suffered defeat after defeat from the Philippines to Java. However, these setbacks never broke the faith in the Airmen of 5th Air Force for themselves and each other or their cause.

In January 1942 a few U.S. Army Air Force members came to Townsville to establish air bases. From that humble start the United States, along with the Australian military, would cause Townsville to change overnight as it become the home of 5th Air Force. Townsville was the location where Gen. George Kenney reorganized the command, strengthened it and would help lead the victory in the air.

"It was here that Gen. George Kenney breathed new life into us," said Dolan during the 5th Air Force Memorial Service. "It was here that we rebuilt our strength and returned to the fight.  It is here we forged bonds of friendship that have endured to this day."