No. 38 Squadron RAAF: Difference between revisions
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No. 38 Squadron relocated to [[RAAF Station Schofields]] near Sydney on 15 August 1946, and became part of [[No. 86 Wing RAAF|No. 86 Wing]]. Commencing on 22 January 1947, one of the squadron's main responsibilities was to conduct triweekly courier flights to Japan to support the Australian element of the [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]]. Each of these flights took several days to complete, and it was the longest regular air route serviced by twin-engined aircraft at that time. These flights continued until 13 January 1948, after which [[Qantas]] aircraft were used to support the forces in Japan.<ref name=Eather_76 /><ref>RAAF Historical Section (1995), pp. 68–69</ref> In August 1948 five of No. 38 Squadron's air crews were dispatched to Europe where, as members of the [[RAAF Squadron Berlin Air Lift]], they participated in the international efforts to fly supplies into [[Berlin]] during the [[Berlin Blockade|Soviet blockade of the city]]. These personnel remained in Europe for 12 months, and their absence greatly disrupted No. 38 Squadron's operations until they were replaced.<ref name=Eather_76 /><ref name="RAAF_HS_69">RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 69</ref> |
No. 38 Squadron relocated to [[RAAF Station Schofields]] near Sydney on 15 August 1946, and became part of [[No. 86 Wing RAAF|No. 86 Wing]]. Commencing on 22 January 1947, one of the squadron's main responsibilities was to conduct triweekly courier flights to Japan to support the Australian element of the [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]]. Each of these flights took several days to complete, and it was the longest regular air route serviced by twin-engined aircraft at that time. These flights continued until 13 January 1948, after which [[Qantas]] aircraft were used to support the forces in Japan.<ref name=Eather_76 /><ref>RAAF Historical Section (1995), pp. 68–69</ref> In August 1948 five of No. 38 Squadron's air crews were dispatched to Europe where, as members of the [[RAAF Squadron Berlin Air Lift]], they participated in the international efforts to fly supplies into [[Berlin]] during the [[Berlin Blockade|Soviet blockade of the city]]. These personnel remained in Europe for 12 months, and their absence greatly disrupted No. 38 Squadron's operations until they were replaced.<ref name=Eather_76 /><ref name="RAAF_HS_69">RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 69</ref> No. 38 Squadron moved to Richmond on 1 July 1949.<ref name=RAAF_HS_69 /> |
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In 1950 No. 38 Squadron was selected to form part of the Australian forces deployed to Malaya to participate in the British-led [[Malayan Emergency|counterinsurgency operations there]]. The squadron's advance party arrived at [[Changi Air Base|RAF Changi]] in Singapore on 19 June 1950, and all of its personnel and eight Dakotas were operational by 6 July. While in Malaya the squadron came under the command of [[No. 90 Wing RAAF|No. 90 (Composite) Wing]], along with the [[Avro Lincoln]]-equipped [[No. 1 Squadron RAAF|No. 1 Squadron]].<ref name="38 Squadron RAAF AWM Malaya">{{cite web|title=38 Squadron RAAF|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11081malayan_emergency.asp|work=Units|publisher=Australian War Memorial|accessdate=1 June 2013}}</ref> Following the outbreak of the [[Korean War]], four of No. 38 Squadron's Dakota's were transferred to [[No. 30 Transport Unit RAAF|No. 30 Communication Unit]] in Japan during November 1950.<ref name="38 Squadron RAAF AWM Malaya" /> No. 38 Squadron remained at Changi, and conducted supply and aeromedical evacuation flights to support the British-led forces. From April to July 1951 the unit was stationed at [[RAF Kuala Lumpur]] and became the main unit used to drop supplies to Commonwealth forces in the field; during this period a flight from [[No. 41 Squadron RNZAF]] was assigned to No. 38 Squadron. The squadron made another deployment to Kuala Lumpur between November 1951 and February 1952. In addition, the squadron occasionally marked targets ahead of bombing raids, and frequently conducted courier flights to Borneo, Ceylon, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.<ref name="38 Squadron RAAF AWM Malaya" /> Supporting the Australian units in Korea placed heavy demands on the RAAF's transport force, and it became difficult to sustain No. 38 Squadron's four Dakotas in Malaya during 1952. As a result, it was decided in September 1952 to return the unit to Australia.<ref name="38 Squadron RAAF AWM Malaya" /> No. 38 Squadron left Changi for Richmond on 8 December that year.<ref name=RAAF_HS_69 /> |
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No. 38 Squadron operated [[de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou]] aircraft from [[RAAF Base Richmond]] from 1964 until moving to RAAF Amberley in Queensland in the late 2000s. They were retired on 7 November 2009 and have been replaced by eight [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft King Air 350]] aircraft as an interim capability.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.australianaviation.com.au/aaexpress.htm|title=Australian Aviation Express. Issue 241.|date=2008-09-29|publisher=Phantom Media|accessdate=2008-09-29}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Three of the King Airs in question were transferred from the [[Australian Army|Australian Army's]] [[173rd Surveillance Squadron (Australia)|173rd Surveillance Squadron]] while the remaining five were purchased brand new and delivered in 2009–10.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/default.aspx?xml=defencenews_army.xml|title=Fixed Wings Freed|last=Hamilton|first=Eamon|date=10 December 2009|work=Army|publisher=Department of Defence|accessdate=16 December 2009}}</ref> |
No. 38 Squadron operated [[de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou]] aircraft from [[RAAF Base Richmond]] from 1964 until moving to RAAF Amberley in Queensland in the late 2000s. They were retired on 7 November 2009 and have been replaced by eight [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft King Air 350]] aircraft as an interim capability.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.australianaviation.com.au/aaexpress.htm|title=Australian Aviation Express. Issue 241.|date=2008-09-29|publisher=Phantom Media|accessdate=2008-09-29}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Three of the King Airs in question were transferred from the [[Australian Army|Australian Army's]] [[173rd Surveillance Squadron (Australia)|173rd Surveillance Squadron]] while the remaining five were purchased brand new and delivered in 2009–10.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/default.aspx?xml=defencenews_army.xml|title=Fixed Wings Freed|last=Hamilton|first=Eamon|date=10 December 2009|work=Army|publisher=Department of Defence|accessdate=16 December 2009}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 05:22, 1 June 2013
| No. 38 Squadron RAAF | |
|---|---|
 One of the King Air 350s transferred to No. 38 Squadron in 2009 | |
| Active | September 1943 |
| Branch | RAAF |
| Role | Airlift |
| Part of | 86 Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | RAAF Base Townsville |
| Motto(s) | Equal to the Task |
| Aircraft | King Air 350 |
No. 38 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. The Squadron was formed in 1943 and saw active service in the Second World War, Korean War and Malayan Emergency. No. 38 Squadron has also supported Australian peacekeeping operations around the world including in Kashmir and East Timor.
History
World War II
No. 38 Squadron was formed at RAAF Base Richmond on 15 September 1943 as a transport unit equipped with Lockheed Hudson aircraft. The squadron conducted its first operational flight on 17 December that year when a Hudson flew from Richmond to RAAF Base Darwin.[1] During the period the squadron was equipped with Hudsons it operated only within Australia.[2]
The squadron's activities expanded in early 1944 when its Hudsons were replaced with more capable Douglas Dakota aircraft.[2] No. 38 Squadron received its first Dakota on 3 March 1944, and was completely equipped with these aircraft by the end of May that year.[1] During 1944 the squadron continued to fly to locations with in Australia, and also began flying supplies to Allied forces in western New Guinea. During the return flights from New Guinea the Dakotas typically transported wounded personnel back to Australia for treatment.[3] In October 1944, No. 38 Squadron was given the additional task of supporting the RAAF's Paratroop Training Unit at Richmond. The squadron moved to RAAF Base Archerfield near Brisbane in early December 1944, but continued to maintain a detachment at Richmond. By this time No. 38 Squadron was mainly tasked with transporting supplies to the battle zone in New Guinea, including dropping supplies to Army units in the field, and evacuating casualties to Australia. From 17 July 1945 the squadron maintained a detachment on the island of Morotai which dropped supplies to Australian Army units fighting in Borneo. No. 38 Squadron's only loss during World War II was a Dakota which crashed on a mountain in western New Guinea while flying between Biak and Morotai; the wreckage of this aircraft was not located until 1970.[3]
Following the end of the war No. 38 Squadron flew into Singapore, Bangkok and locations in Borneo to evacuate released Australian prisoners of war. In addition, the squadron transported other service personnel back to Australia as part of the demobilisation of the Australian military until 1946.[2][3] In an unusual task, during 1946 some of No. 38 Squadron's Dakotas were also used to transport pig bristles from Chongqing in China to Hong Kong, from where they were shipped to Australia.[3]
Cold War
No. 38 Squadron relocated to RAAF Station Schofields near Sydney on 15 August 1946, and became part of No. 86 Wing. Commencing on 22 January 1947, one of the squadron's main responsibilities was to conduct triweekly courier flights to Japan to support the Australian element of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. Each of these flights took several days to complete, and it was the longest regular air route serviced by twin-engined aircraft at that time. These flights continued until 13 January 1948, after which Qantas aircraft were used to support the forces in Japan.[2][4] In August 1948 five of No. 38 Squadron's air crews were dispatched to Europe where, as members of the RAAF Squadron Berlin Air Lift, they participated in the international efforts to fly supplies into Berlin during the Soviet blockade of the city. These personnel remained in Europe for 12 months, and their absence greatly disrupted No. 38 Squadron's operations until they were replaced.[2][5] No. 38 Squadron moved to Richmond on 1 July 1949.[5]
In 1950 No. 38 Squadron was selected to form part of the Australian forces deployed to Malaya to participate in the British-led counterinsurgency operations there. The squadron's advance party arrived at RAF Changi in Singapore on 19 June 1950, and all of its personnel and eight Dakotas were operational by 6 July. While in Malaya the squadron came under the command of No. 90 (Composite) Wing, along with the Avro Lincoln-equipped No. 1 Squadron.[6] Following the outbreak of the Korean War, four of No. 38 Squadron's Dakota's were transferred to No. 30 Communication Unit in Japan during November 1950.[6] No. 38 Squadron remained at Changi, and conducted supply and aeromedical evacuation flights to support the British-led forces. From April to July 1951 the unit was stationed at RAF Kuala Lumpur and became the main unit used to drop supplies to Commonwealth forces in the field; during this period a flight from No. 41 Squadron RNZAF was assigned to No. 38 Squadron. The squadron made another deployment to Kuala Lumpur between November 1951 and February 1952. In addition, the squadron occasionally marked targets ahead of bombing raids, and frequently conducted courier flights to Borneo, Ceylon, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.[6] Supporting the Australian units in Korea placed heavy demands on the RAAF's transport force, and it became difficult to sustain No. 38 Squadron's four Dakotas in Malaya during 1952. As a result, it was decided in September 1952 to return the unit to Australia.[6] No. 38 Squadron left Changi for Richmond on 8 December that year.[5]
No. 38 Squadron operated de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou aircraft from RAAF Base Richmond from 1964 until moving to RAAF Amberley in Queensland in the late 2000s. They were retired on 7 November 2009 and have been replaced by eight Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft as an interim capability.[7] Three of the King Airs in question were transferred from the Australian Army's 173rd Surveillance Squadron while the remaining five were purchased brand new and delivered in 2009–10.[8]
References
- Citations
- ^ a b RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 67
- ^ a b c d e Eather (1995), p. 76
- ^ a b c d RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 68
- ^ RAAF Historical Section (1995), pp. 68–69
- ^ a b c RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 69
- ^ a b c d "38 Squadron RAAF". Units. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ "Australian Aviation Express. Issue 241". Phantom Media. 2008-09-29. Retrieved 2008-09-29. [dead link]
- ^ Hamilton, Eamon (10 December 2009). "Fixed Wings Freed". Army. Department of Defence. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
- Works consulted
- Eather, Steve (1995). Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Weston Creek: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1-875671-15-3.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force. A Concise History. Volume 4 Maritime and Transport Units. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-42796-5.
- RAAF Museum No 38 Squadron
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