No. 78 Wing RAAF
Encyclopedia
No. 78 Wing is the Royal Australian Air Force
's operational training wing
. It is headquartered at RAAF Base Williamtown
, New South Wales, and operates the BAE Hawk 127 lead-in fighter. The wing was formed in 1943 and operated P-40 Kittyhawk fighters in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II
. During the early 1950s, it was based in Malta
, where it flew Vampire
jet fighters. In 1958 it re-equipped with Sabres
and deployed to Malaya
, flying sorties against Communist forces in the final years of the Emergency
. No. 78 Wing was disbanded in 1967, but re-formed as an operational training wing in 2000.
, Queensland. Comprising Nos. 75
, 78
and 80 Squadrons
, the wing operated P-40 Kittyhawk fighters in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II
. Upon establishment it formed the fighter
contingent of No. 10 Operational Group (renamed First Tactical Air Force
in October 1944) along with No. 81 Wing
. No. 78 Wing took part in Operation Reckless
, the assault on Hollandia
and Aitape
, New Guinea
, in April 1944. By the middle of the year, the Wing's rate of effort in New Guinea operations was consistently higher than its counterparts in the US Fifth Air Force
.
The relegation of First Tactical Air Force to areas of operations bypassed by the main Allied thrust towards the Philippines
and Japan
led to poor morale in late 1944 and early 1945. In April 1945, the recently-appointed Officer Commanding
No. 78 Wing, Group Captain Wilfred Arthur
, helped bring about the so-called "Morotai Mutiny
" in protest at the relegation of the Australian fighter squadrons to apparently worthless ground attack
missions. A subsequent inquiry cleared the pilots involved, finding their motives in tendering their resignations to be sincere. Arthur remained in command of No. 78 Wing during the Battle of Tarakan
, before being replaced on 25 May by Wing Commander Alan Rawlinson, who completed his appointment in December 1946.
In the 1950s, No. 78 Wing became the first wing in the RAAF to fully equip with jet aircraft, when it took delivery of De Havilland Vampire
fighters leased from the Royal Air Force
in exchange for Australia's commitment to support RAF operations in the Middle East
. Comprising Nos. 75 and 76 (Fighter) Squadrons
, No. 378 (Base) Squadron and No. 478 (Maintenance) Squadron, the wing was deployed to Malta
on garrisoning duties under Wing Commander (later Group Captain) Brian Eaton
. It departed Australia in July 1952; as the posting overseas was for a minimum of two years, the families of staff were permitted to make the journey as well. The Australian airmen participated in many NATO exercises while stationed at Malta, and one year took first and second place in the Middle Eastern Gunnery Contest for the "Imshi" Mason Cup
. The wing flew its last sorties in December 1954 and returned to Australia the following month, by which time Wing Commander Geoff Newstead had assumed command.
Following its tour in the Mediterranean, No. 78 Wing was based at RAAF Williamtown
, New South Wales. In 1958 it deployed to RAAF Base Butterworth in Malaya
, where it flew CAC Sabre
s in operations against Communist guerilla forces in the last years of the Emergency
. Its units by this stage consisted of Nos. 3
and 77 (Fighter) Squadrons
, and No. 478 (Maintenance) Squadron. This force remained at Butterworth until the late 1960s, No. 75 Squadron relieving No. 3 Squadron in 1965. Armed with Sidewinder missile
s, the Sabres provided regional air defence during the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
from 1963 until 1966. In May 1962, No. 79 Squadron
was reformed in Singapore from No. 78 Wing aircraft and personnel. For the next six years this squadron operated from Ubon Air Base
in Thailand and was manned by personnel from No. 78 Wing serving on six months to one year-long rotations. The RAAF was careful to not acknowledge any connection between the two units, however, as Malaysia had a policy of neutrality towards the war in South East Asia.
No. 78 Wing was disbanded in November 1967. It reformed in 2000 at Williamtown, comprising Nos. 76 and 79 Squadrons, and No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit
, which had been transferred from No. 81 Wing. In February 2002, No. 78 Wing came under the control of the newly established Air Combat Group
, formed by merging Tactical Fighter Group and Strike Reconnaissance Group. The merger expanded the wing's responsibilities, as it took on lead-in training for the General Dynamics F-111C
s of No. 82 Wing
. In July 2003 a technical training and simulator unit, No. 278 Squadron
, with detachments at RAAF Base Amberley
, RAAF Base Pearce
and RAAF Base Tindal
, was added to No. 78 Wing's complement. No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit subsequently returned to the control of No. 81 Wing; as of 2009, No. 78 Wing’s strength consisted of Nos. 76 and 79 Squadrons, operating BAE Hawk 127 lead-in fighters, and No. 278 Squadron.
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...
's operational training wing
Wing (air force unit)
Wing is a term used by different military aviation forces for a unit of command. The terms wing, group or Staffel are used for different-sized units from one country or service to another....
. It is headquartered at RAAF Base Williamtown
RAAF Base Williamtown
RAAF Base Williamtown is a Royal Australian Air Force base and headquarters to Australia's Tactical Fighter group. The base is located north of the coastal city of Newcastle, New South Wales in the Local Government Area of Port Stephens. The military base shares its runway facilities with...
, New South Wales, and operates the BAE Hawk 127 lead-in fighter. The wing was formed in 1943 and operated P-40 Kittyhawk fighters in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II
South West Pacific theatre of World War II
The South West Pacific Theatre, technically the South West Pacific Area, between 1942 and 1945, was one of two designated area commands and war theatres enumerated by the Combined Chiefs of Staff of World War II in the Pacific region....
. During the early 1950s, it was based in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, where it flew Vampire
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
jet fighters. In 1958 it re-equipped with Sabres
CAC Sabre
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Allward, Maurice. F-86 Sabre. London: Ian Allen, 1978. ISBN 0-71100-860-4.* Curtis, Duncan. North American F-86 Sabre. Ramsbury, UK: Crowood, 2000. ISBN 1-86126-358-9....
and deployed to Malaya
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
, flying sorties against Communist forces in the final years of the Emergency
Malayan Emergency
The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
. No. 78 Wing was disbanded in 1967, but re-formed as an operational training wing in 2000.
World War II
No. 78 Wing was established on 24 November 1943 at TownsvilleTownsville, Queensland
Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. Adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, it is in the dry tropics region of Queensland. Townsville is Australia's largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast, with a 2006 census...
, Queensland. Comprising Nos. 75
No. 75 Squadron RAAF
No. 75 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter unit based at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. The squadron was formed in 1942 and saw extensive action in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II, operating P-40 Kittyhawks. It was disbanded in 1948, but reformed the...
, 78
No. 78 Squadron RAAF
No. 78 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron of World War II. The Squadron was formed in July 1943 and was disbanded in April 1948 after seeing action in the South West Pacific.-History:...
and 80 Squadrons
No. 80 Squadron RAAF
No. 80 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron of World War II. The squadron was formed in September 1943 and was disbanded in July 1946 after seeing action in the South West Pacific Theatre of the war.-History:...
, the wing operated P-40 Kittyhawk fighters in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II
South West Pacific theatre of World War II
The South West Pacific Theatre, technically the South West Pacific Area, between 1942 and 1945, was one of two designated area commands and war theatres enumerated by the Combined Chiefs of Staff of World War II in the Pacific region....
. Upon establishment it formed the fighter
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
contingent of No. 10 Operational Group (renamed First Tactical Air Force
Australian First Tactical Air Force
The Australian First Tactical Air Force was formed on 25 October 1944 by the Royal Australian Air Force . Its purpose was to provide a mobile force of fighter and ground attack aircraft that could support Allied army and naval units fighting the Empire of Japan in the South West Pacific Area...
in October 1944) along with No. 81 Wing
No. 81 Wing RAAF
No. 81 Wing is the Royal Australian Air Force's air superiority wing. Formed during World War II, it operated in the South West Pacific theatre, flying P-40 Kittyhawks. Following the end of hostilities, it converted to P-51 Mustangs and was based in Japan as part of the Allied occupational forces...
. No. 78 Wing took part in Operation Reckless
Operations Reckless and Persecution
Operation Reckless, known as the Landing at Hollandia and Operation Persecution known as the Aitape landing, were Allied amphibious landings which commenced the Western New Guinea campaign. Both operations commenced on 22 April 1944....
, the assault on Hollandia
Jayapura
Jayapura City is the capital of Papua province, Indonesia, on the island of New Guinea. It is situated on Yos Sudarso Bay . Its approximate population in 2002 was 200,000....
and Aitape
Aitape
Aitape is a small town of about 8,000 people on the north coast of Papua New Guinea in the Sandaun Province. It is a coastal settlement that is almost equidistant from the provincial capitals of Wewak and Vanimo, and marks the midpoint of the highway between these two capitals...
, New Guinea
Territory of New Guinea
The Territory of New Guinea was the Australia-controlled, League of Nations-mandated territory in the north eastern part of the island of New Guinea, and surrounding islands, between 1920 and 1949...
, in April 1944. By the middle of the year, the Wing's rate of effort in New Guinea operations was consistently higher than its counterparts in the US Fifth Air Force
Fifth Air Force
The Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
.
The relegation of First Tactical Air Force to areas of operations bypassed by the main Allied thrust towards the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
led to poor morale in late 1944 and early 1945. In April 1945, the recently-appointed Officer Commanding
Officer Commanding
The Officer Commanding is the commander of a sub-unit or minor unit , principally used in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. In other countries, the term Commanding Officer is applied to commanders of minor as well as major units.Normally an Officer Commanding is a company, squadron or battery...
No. 78 Wing, Group Captain Wilfred Arthur
Wilfred Arthur
Wilfred Stanley Arthur DSO, DFC was an Australian fighter ace of World War II. He is officially credited with ten aerial victories...
, helped bring about the so-called "Morotai Mutiny
Morotai Mutiny
The "Morotai Mutiny" was an incident in April 1945 involving members of the Australian First Tactical Air Force based on the island of Morotai, in the Dutch East Indies...
" in protest at the relegation of the Australian fighter squadrons to apparently worthless ground attack
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
missions. A subsequent inquiry cleared the pilots involved, finding their motives in tendering their resignations to be sincere. Arthur remained in command of No. 78 Wing during the Battle of Tarakan
Battle of Tarakan (1945)
The Battle of Tarakan was the first stage in the Borneo campaign of 1945. It began with an amphibious landing by Australian forces on 1 May, code-named Operation Oboe One...
, before being replaced on 25 May by Wing Commander Alan Rawlinson, who completed his appointment in December 1946.
Cold War and after
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
fighters leased from the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in exchange for Australia's commitment to support RAF operations in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. Comprising Nos. 75 and 76 (Fighter) Squadrons
No. 76 Squadron RAAF
No. 76 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force flight training squadron. Established in 1942, the squadron operated P-40 Kittyhawk fighter aircraft and saw combat during World War II. Following the war it formed part of Australia's contribution to the occupation of Japan until it was...
, No. 378 (Base) Squadron and No. 478 (Maintenance) Squadron, the wing was deployed to Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
on garrisoning duties under Wing Commander (later Group Captain) Brian Eaton
Brian Eaton
Air Vice Marshal Brian Alexander Eaton CB, CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force . Born in Tasmania and raised in Victoria, he joined the RAAF in 1936 and was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on the outbreak of World War II...
. It departed Australia in July 1952; as the posting overseas was for a minimum of two years, the families of staff were permitted to make the journey as well. The Australian airmen participated in many NATO exercises while stationed at Malta, and one year took first and second place in the Middle Eastern Gunnery Contest for the "Imshi" Mason Cup
Ernest Mason
Ernest "Imshi" Mason DFC and Bar was a British World War II flying ace, credited with one Luftwaffe and 14 Regia Aeronautica aircraft destroyed, two shared destroyed, three damaged and another three shared damaged in the air...
. The wing flew its last sorties in December 1954 and returned to Australia the following month, by which time Wing Commander Geoff Newstead had assumed command.
Following its tour in the Mediterranean, No. 78 Wing was based at RAAF Williamtown
RAAF Base Williamtown
RAAF Base Williamtown is a Royal Australian Air Force base and headquarters to Australia's Tactical Fighter group. The base is located north of the coastal city of Newcastle, New South Wales in the Local Government Area of Port Stephens. The military base shares its runway facilities with...
, New South Wales. In 1958 it deployed to RAAF Base Butterworth in Malaya
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
, where it flew CAC Sabre
CAC Sabre
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Allward, Maurice. F-86 Sabre. London: Ian Allen, 1978. ISBN 0-71100-860-4.* Curtis, Duncan. North American F-86 Sabre. Ramsbury, UK: Crowood, 2000. ISBN 1-86126-358-9....
s in operations against Communist guerilla forces in the last years of the Emergency
Malayan Emergency
The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
. Its units by this stage consisted of Nos. 3
No. 3 Squadron RAAF
No. 3 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. It was first formed in 1916 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, New South Wales.-World War I:...
and 77 (Fighter) Squadrons
No. 77 Squadron RAAF
No. 77 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. The Squadron was formed in 1942 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown.-History:...
, and No. 478 (Maintenance) Squadron. This force remained at Butterworth until the late 1960s, No. 75 Squadron relieving No. 3 Squadron in 1965. Armed with Sidewinder missile
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried mostly by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. The missile entered service with United States Air Force in the early 1950s, and variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces...
s, the Sabres provided regional air defence during the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation during 1962–1966 was Indonesia’s political and armed opposition to the creation of Malaysia. It is also known by its Indonesian/Malay name Konfrontasi...
from 1963 until 1966. In May 1962, No. 79 Squadron
No. 79 Squadron RAAF
No. 79 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force flight training unit which has been formed on four occasions since 1943. The squadron was established in May 1943 as a fighter unit equipped with Supermarine Spitfires, and subsequently saw combat in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II...
was reformed in Singapore from No. 78 Wing aircraft and personnel. For the next six years this squadron operated from Ubon Air Base
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force facility and is the home of Wing 21 of the RTAF 2nd Air Division. It is located in East-Central Thailand, near the city of Ubon Ratchathani, in the Ubon Ratchathani Province. It is approximately 305 miles North-East of Bangkok...
in Thailand and was manned by personnel from No. 78 Wing serving on six months to one year-long rotations. The RAAF was careful to not acknowledge any connection between the two units, however, as Malaysia had a policy of neutrality towards the war in South East Asia.
No. 78 Wing was disbanded in November 1967. It reformed in 2000 at Williamtown, comprising Nos. 76 and 79 Squadrons, and No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit
No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF
No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit is a Royal Australian Air Force training unit located at RAAF Base Williamtown. 2OCU's main role is to train pilots to operate the F/A-18 Hornet. New RAAF pilots enter 2OCU for training after first qualifying to fly jet fighters in No. 76 Squadron...
, which had been transferred from No. 81 Wing. In February 2002, No. 78 Wing came under the control of the newly established Air Combat Group
Air Combat Group RAAF
The Royal Australian Air Force's Air Combat Group is the group which administers the RAAF's fighter and bomber aircraft. ACG was formed on 7 February 2002 by merging the RAAF's Tactical Fighter Group and Strike Reconnaissance Group in an attempt to improve the speed with which the RAAF can deploy...
, formed by merging Tactical Fighter Group and Strike Reconnaissance Group. The merger expanded the wing's responsibilities, as it took on lead-in training for the General Dynamics F-111C
General Dynamics F-111C
The General Dynamics F-111C is a variant of the F-111 Aardvark medium-range interdictor and tactical strike aircraft, developed by General Dynamics to meet Australian requirements. The design was based on the F-111A model but included longer wings and strengthened undercarriage...
s of No. 82 Wing
No. 82 Wing RAAF
No. 82 Wing is the Royal Australian Air Force's strike and reconnaissance wing. It is headquartered at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, and operates the F/A-18F Super Hornet multirole fighter and Pilatus PC-9 forward air control aircraft. The wing was formed in August 1944, flying B-24 Liberator...
. In July 2003 a technical training and simulator unit, No. 278 Squadron
No. 278 Squadron RAAF
No 278 Squadron formed on 1 July 2003. The squadron's formation removes day-to-day management responsibility of No. 78 Wing RAAF Technical Training and Operational Flight Trainer support elements from the Wing Headquarters....
, with detachments at RAAF Base Amberley
RAAF Base Amberley
RAAF Base Amberley is a Royal Australian Air Force base located southwest of Ipswich, Queensland and southwest of Brisbane. It is currently home to No. 1 Squadron and No. 6 Squadron , No. 33 Squadron and No. 36 Squadron...
, RAAF Base Pearce
RAAF Base Pearce
RAAF Base Pearce is the main RAAF base in Western Australia. The base is located in Bullsbrook, north of Perth. It is used for training by the Royal Australian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force...
and RAAF Base Tindal
RAAF Base Tindal
RAAF Base Tindal is a Royal Australian Air Force air base located near the town of Katherine in the Northern Territory. The base is currently home to No...
, was added to No. 78 Wing's complement. No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit subsequently returned to the control of No. 81 Wing; as of 2009, No. 78 Wing’s strength consisted of Nos. 76 and 79 Squadrons, operating BAE Hawk 127 lead-in fighters, and No. 278 Squadron.