No. 30 Transport Unit RAAF
Encyclopedia
No. 30 Transport Unit was a Royal Australian Air Force
unit that served in Korea
during the Korean War
.
Formed on 1 November 1950 and initially known as No. 30 Communications Flight based at Iwakuni
, Japan
as part of No. 91 (Composite) Wing. The unit was redesignated as No. 30 Transport Unit and was equipped with two C–47 Dakota
s and two Auster
s with a Dakota being the personal transport to Lieutenant General
Horace Robertson
, commander of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force
(BCOF). A further two Dakotas were sent to Japan due to operational demands.
The unit's role in Korea was to support No. 77 Squadron
by transporting supplies and equipment. It was also involved in the supply of materials and stores for the Australian and British ground forces. Flights also were made transporting VIPs of the United Nations Command and return journeys to Japan were often used to evacuate wounded personnel from the theatre.
On 1 March 1953, No. 30 Transport Unit was redesignated No. 36 Transport 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...
unit that served in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Formed on 1 November 1950 and initially known as No. 30 Communications Flight based at Iwakuni
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni or MCAS Iwakuni is a United States Marine Corps air station located in the Nishiki river delta, southeast of the Iwakuni Station in the city of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi in Japan.-Tenant commands:...
, 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...
as part of No. 91 (Composite) Wing. The unit was redesignated as No. 30 Transport Unit and was equipped with two C–47 Dakota
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
s and two Auster
Auster
Auster Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer from 1938 to 1961.-History:The company began in 1938 at the Britannia Works, Thurmaston near Leicester, England, as Taylorcraft Aeroplanes Limited, making light observation aircraft designed by the Taylorcraft Aircraft Corporation of...
s with a Dakota being the personal transport to Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Horace Robertson
Horace Robertson
Lieutenant General Sir Horace Clement Hugh Robertson KBE, DSO was a senior officer in the Australian Army who served in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War...
, commander of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force
British Commonwealth Occupation Force
The British Commonwealth Occupation Force , was the name of the joint Australian, Canadian, British, Indian and New Zealand military forces in occupied Japan, from 21 February 1946 until the end of occupation in 1952...
(BCOF). A further two Dakotas were sent to Japan due to operational demands.
The unit's role in Korea was to support No. 77 Squadron
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:...
by transporting supplies and equipment. It was also involved in the supply of materials and stores for the Australian and British ground forces. Flights also were made transporting VIPs of the United Nations Command and return journeys to Japan were often used to evacuate wounded personnel from the theatre.
On 1 March 1953, No. 30 Transport Unit was redesignated No. 36 Transport Squadron
No. 36 Squadron RAAF
No. 36 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It currently operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley. The Squadron has seen active service flying transport aircraft during World War II, the Berlin Airlift, Korean War, Vietnam War and the invasion of Iraq...
.
Decorations
- 13 Air Force CrossAir Force Cross (United Kingdom)The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
- 16 Commendations for Meritorious Service in the Air
- 2 Mentioned in Despatches