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The squadron's activities expanded in early 1944 when its Hudsons were replaced with more capable [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas Dakota]] aircraft.<ref name=Eather_76 /> 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.<ref name=RAAF_HS_67 /> In 1944 the squadron continued to fly to locations within Australia, and also began transporting 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.<ref name="RAAF_HS_68">RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 68</ref> In October 1944, No. 38 Squadron was given the additional task of supporting the RAAF's [[Paratroop Training Unit RAAF|Paratroop Training Unit]] at Richmond. The squadron moved to [[Archerfield Airport|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 [[Borneo Campaign (1945)|fighting in Borneo]]. No. 38 Squadron's only loss during World War II was a Dakota that crashed on a mountain in western New Guinea while flying between [[Biak]] and Morotai; the wreckage of this aircraft was not located until 1970.<ref name=RAAF_HS_68 />
The squadron's activities expanded in early 1944 when its Hudsons were replaced with more capable [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas Dakota]] aircraft.<ref name=Eather_76 /> 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.<ref name=RAAF_HS_67 /> In 1944 the squadron continued to fly to locations within Australia, and also began transporting 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.<ref name="RAAF_HS_68">RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 68</ref> In October 1944, No. 38 Squadron was given the additional task of supporting the RAAF's [[Paratroop Training Unit RAAF|Paratroop Training Unit]] at Richmond. The squadron moved to [[Archerfield Airport|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 [[Borneo Campaign (1945)|fighting in Borneo]]. No. 38 Squadron's only loss during World War II was a Dakota that crashed on a mountain in western New Guinea while flying between [[Biak]] and Morotai; the wreckage of this aircraft was not located until 1970.<ref name=RAAF_HS_68 />


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 until 1946 as part of the [[Demobilisation of the Australian military after World War II|demobilisation of the Australian military]].<ref name=Eather_76 /><ref name=RAAF_HS_68 /> In an unusual task, during May 1946 three of No. 38 Squadron's Dakotas flew 25 tonnes of pig bristles from [[Chongqing]] in China to [[Hong Kong]], from where they were shipped to Australia and used to manufacture paint brushes. This mission, which was designated "Operation Pig Bristle", took two weeks to complete and sought to rectify a shortage of paint brushes which was hindering the Australian construction industry.<ref name=RAAF_HS_68 /><ref>Stephens (1995), pp. 414–415</ref>
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 until 1946 as part of the [[Demobilisation of the Australian military after World War II|demobilisation of the Australian military]].<ref name=Eather_76 /><ref name=RAAF_HS_68 /> In an unusual task, during May 1946 three of No. 38 Squadron's Dakotas flew 25 tonnes of pig bristles from [[Chongqing]] in China to [[Hong Kong]], from where they were shipped to Australia and used to manufacture paint brushes. This mission, which was designated "[[Operation Pig Bristle]]", took two weeks to complete and sought to rectify a shortage of paint brushes which was hindering the Australian construction industry.<ref name=RAAF_HS_68 /><ref>Stephens (1995), pp. 414–415</ref>


===Cold War===
===Cold War===

Revision as of 11:32, 9 June 2013

No. 38 Squadron RAAF
Colour photograph of an aircraft painted in a camouflage pattern taxiing along a runway
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[1]
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.

The squadron is currently stationed at RAAF Base Townsville and is equipped with eight Beechcraft King Air 350 light transport aircraft. It is responsible for training RAAF pilots to operate this aircraft type and conducting transport tasks.

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] In 1944 the squadron continued to fly to locations within Australia, and also began transporting 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 that 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 until 1946 as part of the demobilisation of the Australian military.[2][3] In an unusual task, during May 1946 three of No. 38 Squadron's Dakotas flew 25 tonnes of pig bristles from Chongqing in China to Hong Kong, from where they were shipped to Australia and used to manufacture paint brushes. This mission, which was designated "Operation Pig Bristle", took two weeks to complete and sought to rectify a shortage of paint brushes which was hindering the Australian construction industry.[3][4]

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 tri-weekly 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 chartered Qantas aircraft were used to support the force in Japan.[2][5] 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.[2][6] Overall, twenty members of No. 86 Wing were sent to Europe, and the resulting shortage of personnel forced Nos. 36 and 38 Squadrons to be merged into a single unit for a period.[7] No. 38 Squadron moved to Richmond on 1 July 1949.[6]

Black and white photograph of five silver aircraft parked in a line
No. 38 Squadron Dakotas at RAF Changi in 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.[8] 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.[8] 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 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.[8] 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.[8] No. 38 Squadron left Changi for Richmond on 8 December that year.[6] One member of the unit died during its deployment to Malaya.[8]

After returning to Richmond No. 38 Squadron was mainly tasked with routine transport duties.[6] In addition, the squadron occasionally provided aircraft for CSIRO experiments with rainmaking techniques.[9] During the 1950s and early 1960s No. 38 Squadron developed a reputation as a "cowboy" unit with lax flying standards. The squadron did not conduct proper conversion courses, and new Dakota pilots received only ad-hoc instruction on the type while serving as the co-pilot during operational tasks. In addition, veteran pilots generally did not attempt to pass on their experiences to trainees.[10] On 8 March 1953, No. 38 Squadron absorbed No. 36 Squadron's Dakotas, after which No. 30 Transport Unit (previously 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.[6]

Colour photograph of a camouflage painted aircraft driving along a dirt airstrip
A No. 38 Squadron Caribou landing on a dirt airfield during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2009

No. 38 Squadron was re-equipped with new de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou tactical transport aircraft during 1964. In January 1964 the unit's commanding officer, five other pilots and three navigators undertook conversion training on the type in Canada. At the completion of this course the personnel flew the RAAF's first three Caribous from Toronto to RAAF Base Richmond between 17 March and 22 April.[11] However, the process of converting No. 38 Squadron to Caribous was delayed by the government's decision to deploy several of the aircraft to Vietnam; at the time this decision was made in June 1964 the squadron had received six of its planned allocation of nine aircraft, and the next batch of three aircraft deployed directly to Vietnam.[12] No. 38 Squadron was the last operational RAAF squadron to operate Dakotas, though several other units flew the type until the 1990s.[13][14] After receiving its Caribous No. 38 Squadron's main role was to train aircrews for operational service with the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam (which was later redesignated No. 35 Squadron).[6][9] On 1 July 1964 one of the squadron's Caribous suffered severe damage when it made a crash landing at HMAS Albatross; this aircraft was subsequently written off and its fuselage used for training purposes by the Army's 1st Commando Regiment.[15] The squadron became an independent unit under Headquarters RAAF Base Richmond in August that year, following the disbandment of No. 86 Wing.[6][16] On 13 October 1965 Detachment A of No. 38 Squadron began operations from Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea equipped with two Caribous.[17][18] One of the tasks of this detachment was to give Caribou pilots experience flying the aircraft in tropical and mountainous conditions, and all aircraft captains were required to complete at least one two-month deployment to Port Moresby before serving with No. 35 Squadron in Vietnam.[19] In addition to its training role, No. 38 Squadron participated in transport operations in and around Australia, including in response to natural disasters.[9]

The squadron undertook two operational deployments during the mid-1970s. From March 1975 until November 1978 Detachment B, which comprised a single Caribou and support personnel, was stationed at Rawalpindi, Pakistan and transported United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan personnel and supplies.[17][20] From August to October 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 East Timorese soldiers who forced the pilot to fly 54 refugees to Darwin. This is the only RAAF aircraft to have ever been hijacked.[9][21] After Papua New Guinea achieved independence from Australia Detachment A was no longer required, and it was disbanded on 17 January 1976.[17][22] Three Caribous were destroyed while operating with the detachment; A4-202 crashed near Pongera on 3 June 1965, A4-147 was written off after it landed short of the runway at Tapini Airport on 6 October 1968 and A4-233 was destroyed when it crashed at Kudjeru Gap on 28 August 1972. The last of these crashes resulted in the deaths of 27 aircrew and passengers.[23]

Recent operations

Colour photograph of a white aircraft flying just above an airport runway with its landing gear extended
A No. 38 Squadron King Air landing at Canberra Airport in 2012

No. 38 Squadron moved from Richmond to RAAF Base Amberley in October 1992.[17] At this time the squadron continued to be responsible for all Caribou conversion training, as well as conducting tactical transport operations. Detachment B of the squadron was established at RAAF Base Townsville at some time after 1992.[24] 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.[24][25] In 2000 No. 35 Squadron was inactivated, leaving No. 38 Squadron the RAAF's sole Caribou operator.[26] As of September 2002 No. 38 Squadron was equipped with 14 Caribous.[25] The squadron moved to RAAF Base Townsville during 2008.[27]

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.[28] The Caribous were gradually retired from May 2009, with the last leaving service on 27 November that year when A4-140 was flown to Canberra and handed over to the Australian War Memorial for preservation.[29][30] By the time the aircraft were retired No. 38 Squadron had been operating Caribous for 45 years.[31]

Three King Air 350s were transferred to No. 38 Squadron from the Army's 173rd Surveillance Squadron on 20 November 2009, and deliveries of further five newly-built aircraft were completed in July 2010.[32][33] 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.[28] Along with Nos. 33 and 36 Squadrons, it forms part of No. 86 Wing.[34] 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.[35] No. 38 Squadron marks its 70th anniversary in 2013, and has the longest period of continual operation of any of the RAAF's flying squadrons.[36]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to No. 38 Squadron RAAF.
Citations
  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ Stephens (1995), pp. 414–415
  5. ^ RAAF Historical Section (1995), pp. 68–69
  6. ^ a b c d e f g RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 69
  7. ^ RAAF Historical Section (1995), pp. 57–58
  8. ^ a b c d e "38 Squadron RAAF". Units. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d Eather (1995), p. 77
  10. ^ Stephens (1995), p. 415
  11. ^ Wilson (1990), p. 280
  12. ^ Coulthard-Clark (1995), pp. 35, 38
  13. ^ Wilson (1990), p. 45
  14. ^ "A65 Douglas Dakota". RAAF Museum. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  15. ^ Wilson (1990), p. 184
  16. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 424–425
  17. ^ a b c d RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 70
  18. ^ Wilson (1990), p. 201
  19. ^ Coulthard-Clark (1995), p. 109
  20. ^ Wilson (1990), p. 209
  21. ^ Air Power Development Centre (December 2009). "The DHC-4 Caribou's 45 Years Service". Pathfinder Issue 2012. Royal Australian Air Force. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  22. ^ Wilson (1990), p. 204
  23. ^ Wilson (1990), pp. 204–208
  24. ^ a b "No 38 Squadron". RAAF Museum. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  25. ^ a b Caddaye, Ben (12 September 2002). "38 celebrates". Air Force. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  26. ^ "No 35 Squadron". RAAF Museum. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  27. ^ MacDonald, Emily (15 April 2011). "Next generation squadron". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  28. ^ a b McLaughlin (2010), p. 40
  29. ^ McLaughlin (2010), p. 41
  30. ^ Hamilton, Earmon; Johnson, Peter (10 December 2009). "Caribou history to live on". Air Force. p. 9. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  31. ^ Hamilton, Earmon (10 December 2019). "King Airs join ranks". Air Force. p. 7. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  32. ^ Hamilton, Eamon (10 December 2009). "Fixed wings freed". Army. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  33. ^ "Final King Air delivered to 38SQN". Australian Aviation. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  34. ^ "RAAF restructures Air Lift Group". Australian Aviation. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  35. ^ "RAAF C-27J buy confirmed". Australian Aviation. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  36. ^ Hamilton, Earmon (23 May 2013). "Marking 70th at Wings Over Illawarra show". Air Force. p. 10. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
Works consulted
  • Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1995). The RAAF in Vietnam: Australian Air Involvement in the Vietnam War 1962–1975. The Official History of Australia's Involvement in Southeast Asian Conflicts 1948–1975, Volume 4. St. Leonards, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin in Association with the Australian War Memorial. ISBN 1-86373-305-1.
  • 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.
  • Stephens, Alan (1995). Going Solo: The Royal Australian Air Force 1946–1971. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-42803-1.
  • Wilson, Stewart (1990). Dakota, Hercules, and Caribou in Australian Service. Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 0-9587978-5-4.
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