No. 86 Wing RAAF
Encyclopedia
No. 86 Wing is a Royal Australian Air Force
transport wing. Coming under the aegis of Air Lift Group
, it is headquartered at RAAF Base Richmond
, New South Wales. The wing comprises No. 36 Squadron
, operating Boeing C-17 Globemasters, and No. 38 Squadron
, flying Beechcraft Super King Air
s. Formed in the last year of World War II
to conduct ground attack
operations against the Japanese, No. 86 Wing was reorganised in 1946 as a transport formation flying C-47 Dakotas. It was first based at RAAF Richmond in 1949, and began operating C-130 Hercules in 1958. Disbanded in 1964, the wing was re-established at Richmond in 1987, flying Boeing 707
s as well as Hercules. The Hercules were transferred to No. 84 Wing
in 2006, concurrent with the introduction of the Globemaster.
formation in March 1945, No. 86 Wing originally comprised No. 1 Squadron
(flying de Havilland Mosquito
s) and No. 93 Squadron
(Bristol Beaufighter
s). It was initially based on the island of Morotai
in the South West Pacific theatre
, as part of the Australian First Tactical Air Force
. Delays in making the aircraft operational at their forward base on Labuan
meant that the wing only completed three combat missions before the end of the Pacific War, conducting rocket and machine-gun attacks on targets in Sarawak
.
No. 86 Wing was re-formed as a transport unit at RAAF Station Schofields
, New South Wales, in August 1946, and was assigned control of Nos. 36
, 37
, and 38 Squadrons
, flying C-47 Dakotas. No. 37 Squadron disbanded in 1948. That year, crews from Nos. 36 and 38 Squadrons departed for Europe to take part in the Berlin Airlift, which lasted until the following year. The Australians were responsible for delivering over 16 million tons of supplies, and almost 8,000 passengers. On 22 June 1949, No. 86 Wing and its two remaining squadrons transferred to RAAF Station Richmond
. Following the return of crews from Berlin, the wing was able to release Dakotas of No. 38 Squadron to participate in the Malayan Emergency
starting in 1950.
In 1954, No. 86 Wing relocated to Canberra
, but returned to Richmond four years later. Having earlier augmented its complement of Dakotas with Convair 440 Metropolitains, in 1958-59 the wing began operating Hercules transports, when No. 36 Squadron took delivery of twelve C-130As. They remained in service for twenty years, amassing 147,000 accident-free flying hours. No. 38 Squadron received the RAAF's first DHC-4 Caribou
tactical transports in April 1964, replacing its venerable Dakotas. The six Caribous initially delivered were despatched to South East Asia for service in the Vietnam War
that August. The same month, No. 86 Wing was disbanded. It reformed at Richmond on 2 February 1987, under the newly established Air Lift Group
, and consisted of No. 33 Squadron
, operating Boeing 707
s, and Nos. 36 and 37 Squadrons, flying C-130 Hercules. No. 486 Maintenance Squadron and Air Movements Training and Development Unit (AMTDU) were also under its control. No. 34 Squadron
, the RAAF's VIP
transport unit based at RAAF Base Fairbairn
, and No. 32 Squadron
, flying HS-748 air navigation trainers at RAAF Base East Sale
, became part of No. 86 Wing in June 1988 and July 1989, respectively.
As well as participating in military exercises and overseas peacekeeping commitments, the Hercules, Caribous and 707s of No. 86 Wing became synonymous with disaster relief and emergency transport in Australia and the region. During 1994-95, the wing was commanded by Group Captain (later Air Chief Marshal) Angus Houston
, who in 2005 was appointed Chief of the Defence Force
, only the third RAAF officer to be raised to the most senior position in the Australian armed services. By the early 2000s, Nos. 32, 33, and 34 Squadrons had been transferred to No. 84 Wing
, and AMTDU to No. 85 Wing
. RAAF C-130 operations were concentrated in No. 37 Squadron in November 2006, when No. 36 Squadron transferred its C-130Hs prior to re-equipping with the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and relocating to RAAF Base Amberley
, Queensland. The RAAF's DHC-4 Caribous, operated by No. 38 Squadron out of RAAF Base Townsville
, were retired at the end of 2009, to be replaced by Super King Airs built by Hawker Pacific. No. 37 Squadron was transferred to No. 84 Wing on 1 October 2010.
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...
transport wing. Coming under the aegis of Air Lift Group
Air Lift Group RAAF
Air Lift Group is one of five Groups in the Royal Australian Air Force, which is responsible for Airlift and Air-to-Air refuelling capabilities.Airlift capabilities can be classified as:...
, it is headquartered at RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
, New South Wales. The wing comprises No. 36 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...
, operating Boeing C-17 Globemasters, and No. 38 Squadron
No. 38 Squadron RAAF
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...
, flying Beechcraft Super King Air
Beechcraft Super King Air
The Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation . The King Air line comprises a number of model series that fall into two families: the Model 90 series, Model 100 series , Model 200 series and Model 300 series...
s. Formed in the last year of 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...
to conduct 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...
operations against the Japanese, No. 86 Wing was reorganised in 1946 as a transport formation flying C-47 Dakotas. It was first based at RAAF Richmond in 1949, and began operating C-130 Hercules in 1958. Disbanded in 1964, the wing was re-established at Richmond in 1987, flying Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
s as well as Hercules. The Hercules were transferred to No. 84 Wing
No. 84 Wing RAAF
No. 84 Wing is a Royal Australian Air Force wing. It consists of three air transport squadrons and two training units . No. 84 Wing's headquarters are located at RAAF Base Richmond in Sydney.-References:*...
in 2006, concurrent with the introduction of the Globemaster.
History
Established as an attackClose 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...
formation in March 1945, No. 86 Wing originally comprised No. 1 Squadron
No. 1 Squadron RAAF
No. 1 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron based at RAAF Amberley. The squadron is currently being re-equipped with F/A-18F Super Hornet multi-role fighters.-World War I:...
(flying de Havilland 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"...
s) and No. 93 Squadron
No. 93 Squadron RAAF
No. 93 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron of World War II. The Squadron was formed in January 1945 and was disbanded in August 1946. Due to delays in bringing operational airfields into service it saw little combat before the end of the war.-Squadron history:No. 93 Squadron...
(Bristol 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...
s). It was initially based on the island of Morotai
Morotai
Morotai Island Regency is a regency of North Maluku province, Indonesia, located on Morotai Island. The population was 54,876 in 2007.-History:...
in the South West Pacific theatre
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....
, as part of the Australian 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...
. Delays in making the aircraft operational at their forward base on Labuan
Labuan
Labuan is a federal territory in East Malaysia. It is an island off the coast of the state of Sabah. Labuan's capital is Victoria and is best known as an offshore financial centre offering international financial and business services via Labuan IBFC since 1990 as well as being an offshore support...
meant that the wing only completed three combat missions before the end of the Pacific War, conducting rocket and machine-gun attacks on targets in Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
.
No. 86 Wing was re-formed as a transport unit at RAAF Station Schofields
RAAF Station Schofields
RAAF Station Schofields was an aerodrome built by the Royal Australian Air Force between 1942-1944 at Schofields, New South Wales, Australia during World War II.The aerodrome was constructed for use as a satellite aerodrome for RAAF Station Richmond...
, New South Wales, in August 1946, and was assigned control of Nos. 36
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...
, 37
No. 37 Squadron RAAF
No. 37 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. Formed in July 1943 at RAAF Station Laverton, Victoria, it currently operates C-130H and C-130J Hercules aircraft from RAAF Base Richmond, New South Wales. The unit saw active service flying C-60 Lodestars and C-47 Dakotas in...
, and 38 Squadrons
No. 38 Squadron RAAF
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...
, flying C-47 Dakotas. No. 37 Squadron disbanded in 1948. That year, crews from Nos. 36 and 38 Squadrons departed for Europe to take part in the Berlin Airlift, which lasted until the following year. The Australians were responsible for delivering over 16 million tons of supplies, and almost 8,000 passengers. On 22 June 1949, No. 86 Wing and its two remaining squadrons transferred to RAAF Station Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
. Following the return of crews from Berlin, the wing was able to release Dakotas of No. 38 Squadron to participate in the Malayan 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....
starting in 1950.
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, but returned to Richmond four years later. Having earlier augmented its complement of Dakotas with Convair 440 Metropolitains, in 1958-59 the wing began operating Hercules transports, when No. 36 Squadron took delivery of twelve C-130As. They remained in service for twenty years, amassing 147,000 accident-free flying hours. No. 38 Squadron received the RAAF's first DHC-4 Caribou
De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou
The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou is a Canadian-designed and produced specialized cargo aircraft with short takeoff and landing capability...
tactical transports in April 1964, replacing its venerable Dakotas. The six Caribous initially delivered were despatched to South East Asia for service in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
that August. The same month, No. 86 Wing was disbanded. It reformed at Richmond on 2 February 1987, under the newly established Air Lift Group
Air Lift Group RAAF
Air Lift Group is one of five Groups in the Royal Australian Air Force, which is responsible for Airlift and Air-to-Air refuelling capabilities.Airlift capabilities can be classified as:...
, and consisted of No. 33 Squadron
No. 33 Squadron RAAF
No. 33 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It was formed in 1942 for service during World War II. Following the completion of hostilities the squadron was disbanded in 1946. In 1981 the squadron was re-raised as a flight-sized organisation before being expanded to a full...
, operating Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
s, and Nos. 36 and 37 Squadrons, flying C-130 Hercules. No. 486 Maintenance Squadron and Air Movements Training and Development Unit (AMTDU) were also under its control. No. 34 Squadron
No. 34 Squadron RAAF
No. 34 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It is currently based at Canberra International Airport in the Australian capital Canberra, where it operates two Boeing 737 Business Jets and three Bombardier Challenger 604s.-History:...
, the RAAF's VIP
Very Important Person
A Very Important Person, or VIP is a person who is accorded special privileges due to his or her status or importance.Examples include celebrities, heads of state/heads of government, major employers, high rollers, politicians, high-level corporate officers, wealthy individuals, or any other...
transport unit based at RAAF Base Fairbairn
Fairbairn, Canberra
Fairbairn was a base of the Royal Australian Air Force located in Australia's national capital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Over the years the name of the establishment, and the use of the land, has changed...
, and No. 32 Squadron
No. 32 Squadron RAAF
No. 32 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force unit based at RAAF East Sale in Victoria. It currently flies training and transport operations.- World War II :...
, flying HS-748 air navigation trainers at RAAF Base East Sale
RAAF Base East Sale
RAAF Base East Sale is one of the main training establishments of the Royal Australian Air Force, including where Australian Air Force Cadets have their annual General Service Training. It is home to the Roulettes aerobatic team. It is also now the home of the RAAF's Officers' Training School ...
, became part of No. 86 Wing in June 1988 and July 1989, respectively.
As well as participating in military exercises and overseas peacekeeping commitments, the Hercules, Caribous and 707s of No. 86 Wing became synonymous with disaster relief and emergency transport in Australia and the region. During 1994-95, the wing was commanded by Group Captain (later Air Chief Marshal) Angus Houston
Angus Houston
Air Chief Marshal Allan Grant "Angus" Houston AC, AFC is a retired senior commander of the Royal Australian Air Force and was the Chief of the Defence Force from 4 July 2005 until his retirement on 3 July 2011...
, who in 2005 was appointed Chief of the Defence Force
Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)
Chief of the Defence Force is the most senior appointment in the Australian Defence Force . The CDF commands the ADF under the direction of the Minister of Defence, in a coequal arrangement with the Secretary of Defence, the most senior public servant in the Department of Defence.The position is a...
, only the third RAAF officer to be raised to the most senior position in the Australian armed services. By the early 2000s, Nos. 32, 33, and 34 Squadrons had been transferred to No. 84 Wing
No. 84 Wing RAAF
No. 84 Wing is a Royal Australian Air Force wing. It consists of three air transport squadrons and two training units . No. 84 Wing's headquarters are located at RAAF Base Richmond in Sydney.-References:*...
, and AMTDU to No. 85 Wing
No. 85 Wing RAAF
No. 85 Wing is a Royal Australian Air Force wing. The wing is responsible for planning and coordinating training for the RAAF's Air Lift Group.-History:...
. RAAF C-130 operations were concentrated in No. 37 Squadron in November 2006, when No. 36 Squadron transferred its C-130Hs prior to re-equipping with the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and relocating to 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...
, Queensland. The RAAF's DHC-4 Caribous, operated by No. 38 Squadron out of RAAF Base Townsville
RAAF Base Townsville
RAAF Base Townsville is, along with RAAF Base Tindal and RAAF Base Darwin, one of northern Australia's primary defence installations. It is also Headquarters for No...
, were retired at the end of 2009, to be replaced by Super King Airs built by Hawker Pacific. No. 37 Squadron was transferred to No. 84 Wing on 1 October 2010.