No. 29 Squadron RAAF
Encyclopedia
No. 29 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) reserve squadron
located in Hobart
, Tasmania. The squadron was formed in September 2001 and has the role of training Tasmanian RAAF reservists for air base protection tasks.
on 1 September 2001 as part of the Royal Australian Air Force's Combat Reserve Wing. Prior to this date the only RAAF presence in Tasmania
was the Senior Air Force Officer, Tasmania who was supported by a small staff. It was hoped that establishing the squadron would encourage more Tasmanians to join the RAAF Reserve, and its formation meant that the RAAF had a reserve unit located in each of Australia's state and territory capital cities. As of January 2005, No. 29 Squadron had a strength of 55 reservists and was aiming to reach a strength of 75 personnel. On 1 January 2006 the squadron's parent unit was redesignated Reserve Training Wing RAAF. No. 29 Squadron was granted the Freedom of Entry
to Hobart by the Hobart City Council
in a ceremony held on 16 September 2006. At that time it was the only RAAF unit located in Tasmania.
The current role of the squadron is to prepare reservists for air base defence tasks, and to provide personnel for the reinforcement of other RAAF units when required. As there are no RAAF bases or aircraft in Tasmania, the roster of No. 29 Squadron does not contain any aircrew or aircraft maintenance personnel. The squadron also provides parties for ceremonial events in Tasmania, including commemorations of the Battle of Britain
at Hobart Cenotaph
and commemorative services for individual personnel. No. 29 Squadron is currently based at Anglesea Barracks near Hobart's central business district.
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
(RAAF) reserve squadron
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
located in Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, Tasmania. The squadron was formed in September 2001 and has the role of training Tasmanian RAAF reservists for air base protection tasks.
History
No. 29 Squadron was formed in HobartHobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
on 1 September 2001 as part of the Royal Australian Air Force's Combat Reserve Wing. Prior to this date the only RAAF presence in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
was the Senior Air Force Officer, Tasmania who was supported by a small staff. It was hoped that establishing the squadron would encourage more Tasmanians to join the RAAF Reserve, and its formation meant that the RAAF had a reserve unit located in each of Australia's state and territory capital cities. As of January 2005, No. 29 Squadron had a strength of 55 reservists and was aiming to reach a strength of 75 personnel. On 1 January 2006 the squadron's parent unit was redesignated Reserve Training Wing RAAF. No. 29 Squadron was granted the Freedom of Entry
Freedom of the City
Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Rhodesia to esteemed members of its community and to organisations to be honoured, often for service to the community;...
to Hobart by the Hobart City Council
City of Hobart
The City of Hobart is a Local Government Area of Tasmania, Australia. It is one of three local government areas covering the metropolitan area of the state capital, Hobart.-Government:...
in a ceremony held on 16 September 2006. At that time it was the only RAAF unit located in Tasmania.
The current role of the squadron is to prepare reservists for air base defence tasks, and to provide personnel for the reinforcement of other RAAF units when required. As there are no RAAF bases or aircraft in Tasmania, the roster of No. 29 Squadron does not contain any aircrew or aircraft maintenance personnel. The squadron also provides parties for ceremonial events in Tasmania, including commemorations of the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
at Hobart Cenotaph
Hobart Cenotaph
Hobart Cenotaph, , is the main commemorative military monument for the Australian state of Tasmania. It is located in the capital Hobart in a prominent position on the Queens Domain, on a small rise overlooking the city and River Derwent...
and commemorative services for individual personnel. No. 29 Squadron is currently based at Anglesea Barracks near Hobart's central business district.