End of tour for Brigadier Hughes DPR/TV/943

After 12 months in command of the 1st Australian Task Force in Vietnam, Brigadier Ron Hughes of Stafford Heights, Qld, farewelled by his senior staff officers of the Task Force, flew from Nui Dat for the last flight of his tour in a RAAF helicopter. His successor is Brigadier C. M. I. Pearson of Kurri Kurri, NSW. At Kangaroo Pad at Nui Dat, Brigadier Hughes are handing over command of the Task Force to Brig Pearson, was farewelled by Lt Col Phil Bennett of Perth, WA, and other senior officers. Lt Col Bennett was the only Battalion Commander in base at the time of the departure. He is CO of 1 RAR. At the helicopter, Brig Hughes shook hands with his Deputy Commander, Colonel Don Dunstan of Brisbane, Qld, and the new Task Force Commander, then entered the helicopter for his last flight from Nui Dat. During his tour of duty in Vietnam, Brig Hughes made many flights from Kangaroo Pad visiting Battalion Commanders in the field as they carried out operations. (Suggest story on Brig Hughes filed last week could be used to fill in detail for story line). (Also identified: Lt Barry Corse of Sydney, NSW, Liaison Officer for Brig Hughes, at end of his tour also).