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The Golden Years of RAAF 1921-1971. A Digger History Associate site. |
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Command of the RAAF Page 2 |
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| Two Winjeels, the basic trainer in the RAAF, fly over Point Cook, Victoria, the birthplace of the Service. |
| In its fifty years
of existence, thousands of aircrew of the RAAF have flown and operated
hundreds of types of aircraft over every ocean and continent ill the
world. Currently the operational squadrons of the force are deployed
as follows: OVERSEAS South Vietnam: One squadron of Canberra bombers at Phan Rang, one squadron of Iroquois helicopters and one squadron of Caribou transports at Vung Tau. These squadrons, together with supporting units and headquarters, form the RAAF component of the Australian Task Force, Vietnam. Malaysia: Two Mirage fighter squadrons, both equipped with air-to-air missiles, and one air transport element equipped with Dakotas, are located at Butterworth. In addition there are Iroquois helicopters deployed for search and rescue duties. AUSTRALIA Amberley, Queensland: No. 1 Operational Conversion Unit is operating Canberra aircraft. Nos i and 6 Squadrons have been re-equipped with an interim force of F-4E Phantom aircraft leased from the U.S.A.F. Williamtown, New South Wales: Two Mirage fighter squadrons, an operational training unit operating Macchis and Sabres, an operational conversion unit operating Mirage aircraft, and a forward air control flight equipped with Winjeel aircraft. In addition, Iroquois helicopters are detached for search and rescue duties. |
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| Aircraft from the Operational Training Unit and Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Base, Williamtown, lined up on the tarmac prior to taking off for a fly-past over the base. |
| Townsville,
Queensland: One Neptune maritime reconnaissance squadron. Richmond, New South Wales: Two Hercules transport squadrons, and one Caribou transport squadron. Edinburgh, South Australia: One Orion maritime reconnaissance squadron. Fairbairn, Australian Capital Territory: One Iroquois helicopter squadron, and one special transport squadron equipped with BAC i-i i, Mystere 20 and H.S-748 aircraft. Port Moresby, Papua-New Guinea: A detachment of Caribou transport aircraft of NO. 38 Squadron. Other RAAF bases in Australia are: Pearce, Western Australia: A major flying training base, near Perth, W.A. Point Cook, Victoria: Birthplace of the RAAF and an important training establishment. Laverton, Victoria: One of the RAAF's oldest bases and an important training establishment. The Aircraft Research and Development Unit is based here. East Sale, Victoria: A flying training base. Darwin, Northern Territory: This base has an associated airfield at Tindal, near Katherine, N.T. Learmonth, Western Australia: An airfield in the course of development. |
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| Apprentice instrument fitters at the RAAF School of Technical Training, Wagga. From left to right they are: G. E. Foley, G. I. Summerfield, F. Sbizzirri and F. A. Dare. All come from Western Australia |
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| The crew of a RAAF Neptune maritime reconnaissance aircraft return to the crew room at RAAF Base, Townsville, after a lengthy sortie out over the Coral Sea. |
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| A line up of Macchi jet trainers at East Sale |
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| A dual-seat Mirage taxis out for take-off at RAAF Base, Williamtown |
