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===Cold War===
===Cold War===
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 />
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 />
[[File:36 Squadron RAAF personnel on a jungle survival course.jpg|thumb|left|No. 36 Squadron aircrew on a jungle survival training course in Singapore during 1950]]


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 throughout Malaya to support the British-led forces. The squadron's aircraft were also occasionally used to mark targets ahead of bombing raids and drop leaflets. From April to July 1951 the No. 38 Squadron 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 (military unit)|flight]] from [[No. 41 Squadron RNZAF]] was assigned to the squadron. No. 38 Squadron made another deployment to Kuala Lumpur between November 1951 and February 1952. In addition to its duties in Malaya, the squadron 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 increasingly 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 /> One member of the unit died during its deployment to Malaya.<ref name="38 Squadron RAAF AWM Malaya" />
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 throughout Malaya to support the British-led forces. The squadron's aircraft were also occasionally used to mark targets ahead of bombing raids and drop leaflets. From April to July 1951 the No. 38 Squadron 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 (military unit)|flight]] from [[No. 41 Squadron RNZAF]] was assigned to the squadron. No. 38 Squadron made another deployment to Kuala Lumpur between November 1951 and February 1952. In addition to its duties in Malaya, the squadron 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 increasingly 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 /> One member of the unit died during its deployment to Malaya.<ref name="38 Squadron RAAF AWM Malaya" />

Revision as of 10:09, 1 June 2013

No. 38 Squadron RAAF
A No. 38 Squadron Caribou in 2009
A No. 38 Squadron Caribou in 2009
Active1943–current
BranchRoyal Australian Air Force
RoleLight transport
Part ofNo. 86 Wing
Garrison/HQRAAF Base Townsville
Motto(s)Equal to the Task
EngagementsWorld War II
Malayan Emergency
Aircraft flown
TransportHudson (1943–1944)
Dakota (1944–1964)
Caribou (1964–2009)
King Air 350 (2009–current)

No. 38 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) transport squadron. The squadron was formed in 1943 and saw active service in World War II and the Malayan Emergency. During the Vietnam War it trained aircrew for service with No. 35 Squadron. The squadron has also supported Australian peacekeeping operations around the world including in Kashmir and East Timor. It is currently equipped with eight Beechcraft King Air 350 light transport aircraft and is stationed at RAAF Base Townsville.

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]

No. 36 Squadron aircrew on a jungle survival training course in Singapore during 1950

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 throughout Malaya to support the British-led forces. The squadron's aircraft were also occasionally used to mark targets ahead of bombing raids and drop leaflets. From April to July 1951 the No. 38 Squadron 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 the squadron. No. 38 Squadron made another deployment to Kuala Lumpur between November 1951 and February 1952. In addition to its duties in Malaya, the squadron 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 increasingly 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] One member of the unit died during its deployment to Malaya.[6]

After returning to Richmond No. 38 Squadron was mainly tasked with routine transport duties.[5] In addition, the squadron occasionally provided aircraft for CSRIO experiments with rainmaking techniques.[7] On 8 March 1953, No. 38 Squadron absorbed No. 36 Squadron's Dakotas when No. 30 Communication Unit in Japan was renamed No. 36 Squadron. From late March until September 1954 the squadron was stationed at RAAF Station Canberra from where it conducted VIP flights. In November that year No. 38 Squadron was renamed the Transport Training Squadron and became responsible for instructing new Dakota crews and RAAF air movements personnel. It resumed its previous name on 13 June 1963.[5]

No. 38 Squadron was re-equipped with new de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou tactical transport aircraft in early 1964. The first three of the squadron's Caribous arrived at Richmond on 22 April, and it became an independent unit in August that year.[5] No. 38 Squadron's main role was to train aircrews for service with the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam (which was later redesignated No. 35 Squadron), and this unit's requirement for new aircraft to replace losses during its participation in the Vietnam War delayed the process of fully re-equipping No. 38 Squadron.[5][7] In addition to its training role, the squadron participated in transport operations in and around Australia, including in response to natural disasters.[7] On 13 October 1965 Detachment A of the squadron began operations from Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea; this sub-unit remained in Papua New Guinea until 17 January 1976.[8] From March 1975 until November 1978 Detachment B of the squadron, which comprised a single Caribou and support personnel, was stationed at Rawalpindi, Pakistan and supported the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan.[8] In August 1975 a No. 38 Squadron Caribou was assigned to transport Red Cross supplies and personnel from Darwin to East Timor. On 4 September that year this aircraft was hijacked by an East Timorese soldier who forced the pilot to fly back to Darwin. The soldier was subsequently arrested.[7]

Recent operations

A No. 38 Squadron King Air landing at Canberra Airport in 2012

The squadron moved from Richmond to RAAF Base Amberley in October 1992.[8] At this time No. 38 Squadron continued to be responsible for all Caribou conversion training, as well as conducting tactical transport operations. The squadron established a detachment, designated Detachment B, at RAAF Base Townsville at some time after 1992.[9] From 1999 until early 2001, Detachment C of No. 38 Squadron was stationed in East Timor where it supported the international peacekeeping force deployed there; at its peak four Caribous were assigned to this detachment.[9][10] In 2000 No. 35 Squadron was inactivated, leaving No. 38 Squadron the RAAF's sole Caribou operator.[11] As of September 2002 No. 38 Squadron was equipped with 14 Caribous.[10] The squadron moved to RAAF Base Townsville during 2008.[12]

By the late 2000s the Caribous were becoming difficult to maintain, and were no longer capable of being deployed into war zones due to their lack of electronic warfare and other self-protection systems. As a result, it was decided in late 2008 to retire the aircraft and replace them with Beechcraft King Air 350s on an interim basis until another tactical transport entered service.[13] The Caribous were gradually retired from May 2009, with the last leaving service in November that year.[14] Three King Air 350s were transferred from the Army's 173rd Surveillance Squadron on 20 November 2009, and deliveries of further five newly-built aircraft were completed in July 2010.[15][16] The squadron is responsible for providing conversion training on the King Air and conducting light transport operations, and has a strength of about 55 personnel.[13] Along with Nos. 33 and 36 Squadrons, it forms part of No. 86 Wing.[17] The Australian Government ordered 10 Alenia C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft in May 2012, and these aircraft will be operated by No. 35 Squadron from 2015.[18] No. 38 Squadron marks its 70 anniversary in 2013, and has the longest period of continual operation of any of the RAAF's flying squadrons.[19]

References

Citations
  1. ^ a b RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 67
  2. ^ a b c d e Eather (1995), p. 76
  3. ^ a b c d RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 68
  4. ^ RAAF Historical Section (1995), pp. 68–69
  5. ^ a b c d e f g RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 69
  6. ^ a b c d e "38 Squadron RAAF". Units. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d Eather (1995), p. 77
  8. ^ a b c RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 70
  9. ^ a b "No 38 Squadron". RAAF Museum. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  10. ^ a b Caddaye, Ben (12 September 2002). "38 celebrates". Air Force. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  11. ^ "No 35 Squadron". RAAF Museum. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  12. ^ MacDonald, Emily (15 April 2011). "Next generation squadron". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  13. ^ a b McLaughlin (2010), p. 40
  14. ^ McLaughlin (2010), p. 41
  15. ^ Hamilton, Eamon (10 December 2009). "Fixed wings freed". Army. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  16. ^ "Final King Air delivered to 38SQN". Australian Aviation. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  17. ^ "RAAF restructures Air Lift Group". Australian Aviation. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  18. ^ "RAAF C-27J buy confirmed". Australian Aviation. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  19. ^ Hamilton, Earmon (23 May 2013). "Marking 70th at Wings Over Illawarra show". Air Force. p. 10. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
Works consulted
  • Eather, Steve (1995). Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Weston Creek: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1-875671-15-3.
  • McLaughlin, Andrew (June 2010). "Dingo Airlines". Australian Aviation (272): pp. 40–43. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  • 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.
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