RWS 51 - Australian Navy, Vietnam and EMS with Ken Vote

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helicopter pilot ken vote — After a career in the Royal Australian Navy including time in Vietnam, instructing and anti-submarine roles Ken Vote was one of Australia’s early experienced EMS pilots.

Landing in the urban jungle of inner Sydney is a far cry from dropping off SAS troops in the jungles of Vietnam – Ken Vote has done both in his career as a Navy and EMS helicopter pilot.

Ken started his helicopter career with the Australian Navy, spent time in Vietnam, instructed in the military and had a career in the EMS world. He was one of the senior pilots during a counter terrorism readiness operation to oil rigs in Bass Strait, survived a live fire SAS killhouse training run where he played the role of a hostage and has also flown off Australia’s last aircraft carrier.

I was put in touch with Ken by Craig Bowman – Bowie is flying an EMS bird in Western Australia – which is possibly the largest EMS area of coverage in the world in terms of square kilometers – that might be a story for another time. In researching this interview I also got in touch with one of the volunteers at the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia who knew Ken – he indicated that Ken is not known for being reticent in sharing memories!!

So I hope you enjoy this interview. I have cut it into 2 episodes for length so this is Part 1 that you are about to hear.

I started off by asking Ken about a routine at an airshow in 1973 that he used to perform and the occasion that things didn’t go to plan.

In one of Ken's Sydney based roles he would often need to land in the street with co-ordination of local police and ambulance services. — In one of Ken’s Sydney based roles he would often need to land in the street with co-ordination of local police and ambulance services. “Me blocking Pennant Hills Road for an hour or so HIRT A109 Power circa 2007”

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Links from this week’s episode:
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Write up on Operation Bursa

Video – Wessex Helicopters Blade Unfolding on HMAS Melbourne
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Ken and a T28 trainer. NAS Whiting Field Pensacola Florida 1966.

A clipping from the Navy News on 24 November 1967 showing Ken in front of a TH 13M Bell Helicopter after his first helicopter solo.

A Detachment of Wessex 31Bs at RAAF East Sale, having just completed a morning practice session (Op Bursa) Source: Fleet Air Arm of Association of Australia

In Darwin during a training contract with the Australian Army. Ken Vote (2nd from left) Craig Bowman (center) - Craig put me in touch with Ken for the interview — In Darwin during a training contract with the Australian Army. Ken Vote (2nd from left) Craig Bowman (center) – Craig put me in touch with Ken for the interview

Do you have a question about Ken’s career or EMS flying that you want to ask? Be part of the conversation by leaving a comment below.

RWS 51 – Australian Navy, Vietnam and EMS with Ken Vote

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