No. 5 Operational Training Unit (5OTU) was an operational training unit of the Royal Australian Air Force

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...

 during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

.

History

5OTU was formed at formed at RAAF Base Forest Hill

RAAF Base Wagga

RAAF Base Wagga is located in the New South Wales town of Wagga Wagga, in the suburb of Forest Hill.The RAAF no longer controls the airfield which, although still owned by the Commonwealth of Australia, is currently leased to the Wagga Wagga City Council...

, Wagga Wagga on 26 October 1942 as a light bomber training unit equipped with Beaufort

Bristol Beaufort

The Bristol Beaufort was a British twin-engined torpedo bomber designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and developed from experience gained designing and building the earlier Blenheim light bomber....

 and Beaufighter

Bristol Beaufighter

The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...

 aircraft. The unit was later equipped with Boston and Mosquito

De Havilland Mosquito

The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...

 bombers and moved to Tocumwal in 1943 and 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...

 in 1944. After the disbandment of No. 4 Operational Training Unit

No. 4 Operational Training Unit RAAF

No. 4 Operational Training Unit was an operational conversion unit of the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. It was formed on 1 October 1942 and located at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. 4OTU operated Vultee Vengeance and CAC Wirraway aircraft. It was disbanded on 30 April...

(4OTU) at Williamtown on 30 April 1944, a small detachment from 4OTU was left behind at the base, pending the arrival of 5OTU. The detachment of 4OTU handed over RAAF Base Williamtown to a 5OTU detachment, which arrived on 1 May 1944. 5OTU became a crew conversion unit after the war and was disbanded in July 1947.

5OTU was reformed at Williamtown on 1 April 1970 to provide RAAF pilots with fast jet conversion training and was disbanded on 31 July 1971.