No. 38 Squadron RAAF
| 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
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]
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.[4] 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.[5]
References
- Citations
- ^ a b RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 67
- ^ a b Eather (1995), p. 76
- ^ a b RAAF Historical Section (1995), p. 68
- ^ "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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