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No. 4 Squadron RAAF

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No. 4 Squadron RAAF
Crest of 4 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, featuring a fleur-de-lis on a boomerang and the motto "Cooperate to Strike"
No. 4 Squadron's crest
Active1916–1919
1937–1939
1940–1948
2009–current
CountryAustralia
BranchRoyal Australian Air Force
RoleForward air control
Forward air control training
Joint Terminal Attack Controller
Special operations
Part ofNo. 82 Wing
BaseRAAF Base Williamtown
Motto(s)"Cooperate to Strike"
EngagementsWorld War I
World War II
War in Afghanistan
Aircraft flown
FighterSopwith Camel
Sopwith Snipe
Hawker Demon
CAC Wirraway
CAC Boomerang
P-40 Kittyhawk
CAC Mustang
ReconnaissanceAuster AOP III
TrainerDe Havilland Moth Minor
Avro Anson
Pilatus PC-9
Pilatus PC-21

No. 4 Squadronis aRoyal Australian Air Forcesquadron composed of the air force special forces Combat Controllers, aircrew who operate thePilatus PC-21aircraft and instructors for the Australian Defence Force Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) course.[1][2]

The squadron was previously afighterandarmy co-operationunit active in both World War I and World War II. Formed in late 1917, the squadron operated on theWestern Frontas part of theAustralian Flying Corpsuntil the armistice in November 1918. It was disbanded after the war in mid-1919, but re-raised in 1937 and 1940. In 1942 it deployed toNew Guinea,where it supported military forces by spotting forartilleryand providingreconnaissanceandclose air support.As the war progressed, the squadron took part in theHuon Peninsula,New BritainandBorneo campaigns.It was disbanded in early 1948, but was re-formed on 2 July 2009 to provide training to forward air controllers and to support ArmySpecial Operations Command.[3]

Composition

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No. 4 Squadron consists of threeflightsdesignated as A, B and C as well as maintenance / logistics sections and a small administrative team.

A Flight

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A Flight is composed of aircrew responsible for operating four Pilatus PC-21(F) Forward Air Control (FAC) variant aircraft.[1]The PC-21 in grey paintwork differs in appearance from the standard multi-coloured RAAF PC-21. The aircraft are based atRAAF Base Williamtownto train ADF Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC).[4]

B Flight: Combat Control Team (CCT)

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B Flight is the Combat Control Team (CCT), composed of Combat Controllers responsible for reconnaissance, joint terminal attack control and advanced force operations, doing so either as part of a larger advanced force (supporting theSASRor Commandos from the1stor2nd Commando Regiment), or independently.[5][6]Combat Controllers provide a range of capabilities, including Forward Air Control of Offensive Air Support, Landing Zone Reconnaissance, Aviation Meteorology Observation and Airspace Management.[5]

The Special Tactics Project was formed in 2007 to train air force personnel as Combat Controllers similar toUS Air Force combat controllers,following a request by the ArmySpecial Operations Commandin 2006.[7][8][9]Between 2008 and 2009, three intakes completed initial training and four members deployed duringcombat operations in Afghanistanwith the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG).[9][10]Combat Controllers served continuously with the SOTG from 2008 rotating controllers at each SOTG rotation until withdrawal.[11]In July 2009, the Special Tactics Project became B Flight in the reformed No. 4 Squadron.[3]

Selection to become a Combat Controller is open to any ADF member and involves completion of the 8-week CCT Intake Course providing preparatory ground skills training and to prepare volunteers for the Special Forces Entry Test.[12]Volunteers need to pass the Special Forces Entry Test, complete the Commando Reinforcement Training Cycle, Joint Terminal Attack Controller, Aviation Meteorology, Assault Zone Reconnaissance and Air Weapons Delivery courses.[5][13][14]After passing selection and completing nearly two years of training, the Combat Controller is issued with a grey beret featuring a Sykes-Fairbain (commando) dagger.[9]

C Flight

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C Flight delivers the ADF Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) course as well as the ongoing accreditation of graduates.[1]In 2005, the Air Force became the first foreign air force to receiveJoint Terminal Attack Controller(JTAC) accreditation from the United States Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM).[15][16]The six-week JTAC course teaches planning, briefing, controlling and reporting of close air support (CAS). The JTAC course is conducted twice a year, with the aim of graduating 32 students a year. More than 300 students have graduated since 1997.[17]

History

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World War I

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A chalked scoreboard for No. 80 Wing RAF claims by squadron. The claims are categorised as under columns headed "In Flames", "Crashed", "O.O.C." (Out of Control), "Driven Down" and "Balloons Destroyed".
France, November 1918. A scoreboard of aerial victories claimed byNo. 80 Wing RAFfrom July to November 1918. The units listed are: No. 4 Squadron AFC,No. 88 Squadron RAF,No. 2 Squadron AFC,andNos. 92,103,46and54 Squadrons RAF.

No. 4 Squadron was established as a unit of theAustralian Flying Corps(AFC) atPoint Cook,Victoria, on 16 October 1916.[18][19]According to the unit war diary, Captain Andrew Lang took command of the squadron and its initial complement of one officer and 26 men on 25 October.[20]Shortly after its formation the squadron departed for Britain, arriving atCastle Bromwichfor further training in March 1917.[18][19]

The unit arrived in France on 18 December 1917. During its time on theWestern Front,it was assigned to No. 80 Wing. OperatingSopwith CamelsandSnipes,it performed fighter sweeps, provided air support for the army, and raided German airstrips. No. 4 Squadron claimed more "kills" than any other AFC unit: 199 enemy aircraft destroyed.[21]In addition, 33 enemy balloons were destroyed or driven down.[22]

Members of the unit included CaptainHarry Cobby,the AFC's leading ace of the war, credited with destroying 29 aircraft and observation balloons, and CaptainGeorge Jones,who shot down seven aircraft and later served as the RAAF'sChief of the Air Stafffor ten years.[21]AcesRoy King,Edgar McCloughry,Herbert Watson,Thomas Baker,Leonard Taplin,Thomas Barkell,Arthur Palliser,Norman Trescowthick,Garnet MalleyandAlbert Robertsonalso served in the squadron.[23]

Following the armistice, No. 4 Squadron remained in Europe and was based inCologne,Germany, as part of theBritish Army of Occupation.It returned to Australia in March 1919 and was disbanded inMelbournein June.[24]

World War II

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No. 4 Squadron was re-formed as a generalreconnaissanceunit atRAAF Station Richmond,New South Wales, on 3 May 1937, flyingHawker Demonsbefore taking delivery of its firstAvro Ansonthe following month. Re-numberedNo. 6 (General Reconnaissance) Squadronon 1 March 1939, No. 4 Squadron was re-formed again at Richmond on 17 June 1940, this time as an army co-operation unit. Originally equipped with Demons andDe Havilland Moths,it converted toCAC Wirrawaysin September and relocated toCanberralater that month.[25]On 20 May 1942, No. 4 Squadron deployed toCamden Airfield,where it flewanti-submarine patrolsas well as army co-operation training sorties until redeploying to Queensland and then in November toNew Guinea.[24]

Six men in front of a single-engined military monoplane parked on a jungle airfield
No. 4 Squadron Boomerang fighter and ground crew in New Guinea, October 1943

The squadron's initial task in New Guinea was to support the American and Australian forces in theBattle of Buna-Gona.Until the end of the war the squadron operated in the army co-operation role, providing ground forces withartilleryobservation, reconnaissance andclose air support.On 26 December 1942, a No. 4 Squadron Wirraway piloted byPilot OfficerJohn Archer shot down anA6M Zero.This was the only kill achieved by a Wirraway during the war and earned Archer the USSilver Star.[26][27]On 31 January 1943, the squadron sent one of its flights toWau,where it participated in theBattle of Wau.[28]

In May 1943, No. 4 Squadron was re-equipped withCAC Boomerangfighter aircraft,[28]to be operated in a tactical reconnaissance role. Operating with these new aircraft and also some Wirraways it had retained, the squadron supported the Australian7thand9thDivisions during theHuon Peninsula campaign.[29]It also operated six Piper Cubs as liaison aircraft during these campaigns.[30]The squadron continued to support Australian, US Army and US Marine Corps units in New Guinea andNew Britainuntil March 1945 when it deployed to Morotai and then to the island ofLabuanto support Australian ground forces in theBorneo campaign.It supported the 9th Division'scampaign in North Borneoand the 7th Division'slanding at Balikpapan.[31]Casualties during the war amounted to 37 personnel killed.[32]

Post-war years

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After the war, No. 4 Squadron returned to Australia on 14 November 1945 and was again based at Canberra. It re-equipped with late-modelP-40 Kittyhawks,having received a few of these aircraft while in Borneo, and this was followed byCAC MustangsandAustersin early 1947.[31]After completing training on its new aircraft, the squadron provided a firepower demonstration for cadets of theRoyal Military College, Duntroon,during an exercise atBraidwoodin September 1947.[33]On 7 March 1948, No. 4 Squadron ceased to exist, having been re-numberedNo. 3 Squadron.[34][35]

No. 4 Squadron was re-formed on 3 July 2009 atRAAF Base Williamtownto trainforward air controllers.[36]TheForward Air Control Development Unit(FACDU) ofNo. 82 Wing,which operated Pilatus PC-9/As, was merged into the new unit, along with the Special Tactics Project.[37][7]This continued the FAC presence at Williamtown that had been maintained by FACDU andNo. 4 Flight,which operatedWinjeelsout of Williamtown from 1970 to 1989.[38]No. 4 Squadron's Pilatus PC-9/As were replaced withPilatus PC-21sin 2020.[39]

Aircraft operated

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A No. 4 Squadron Pilatus PC-9/A in 2015

No. 4 Squadron has operated the following aircraft:[34][40]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^abc"No. 4 Squadron – Royal Australian Air Force".Royal Australian Air Force.Archived fromthe originalon 16 August 2017.
  2. ^"4SQN shows path for FAC future"(PDF).Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force.No. 5123. Canberra: Department of Defence. 10 December 2009.ISSN1329-8909.
  3. ^abAbbott, FLTLT Jaimie (23 July 2009)."4SQN back on line"(PDF).Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force.No. 5113. Canberra: Department of Defence.ISSN1329-8909.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 29 March 2011.
  4. ^"PC-9/A – Royal Australian Air Force".Royal Australian Air Force.Retrieved23 October2015.
  5. ^abc"Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Combat Controllers".2nd Commando Regiment.Archived fromthe originalon 3 January 2018.
  6. ^Air Power Development Centre (June 2014)."Combat Control in the RAAF"(PDF).Pathfinder.No. 224. Royal Australian Air Force.Retrieved18 October2018.
  7. ^ab"Special Tactics people wanted".Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force.No. 4913. Canberra: Department of Defence. 26 July 2007.ISSN1329-8909.Archived fromthe originalon 21 July 2008.
  8. ^Allard, Tom (17 March 2008)."New squadron will aim to cut civilian deaths".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved19 September2008.
  9. ^abcFriend, FLTLT Cath (4 July 2013)."Controllers get berets"(PDF).Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force(5512 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence.ISSN1329-8909.
  10. ^Air Power Development Centre (June 2014)."Combat Control in the RAAF".Pathfinder: Air Power Development Centre Bulletin(224). Royal Australian Air Force.Retrieved8 June2015.
  11. ^Friend, FLTLT Cath (11 September 2014)."Control team drops in"(PDF).Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force.No. 5617. Canberra: Department of Defence.ISSN1329-8909.Retrieved23 October2015.
  12. ^Giles, FLGOFF Nat (2 July 2015)."Pushing the limits"(PDF).Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force.No. 5712. Canberra: Department of Defence.ISSN1329-8909.Retrieved23 October2015.
  13. ^Rinaldi, FLTLT Rinaldi (26 April 2012)."Special force of our own"(PDF).Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force(5407 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence.ISSN1329-8909.
  14. ^"4SQN in combat control – CCTs learn from USAF"(PDF).Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force.No. 5223. Canberra: Department of Defence. 9 December 2010.ISSN1329-8909.Retrieved5 August2016.
  15. ^"JTAC accreditation critical"(PDF).Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force.No. 5602. Canberra: Department of Defence. 13 February 2014.ISSN1329-8909.
  16. ^"First in JTAC accreditation".Defence: The Official Magazine.No. June 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 20 September 2007.Retrieved23 October2015.
  17. ^Friend, FLTLT Cath (26 April 2012)."JTACs pass final hurdle"(PDF).Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force(5407 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence.ISSN1329-8909.
  18. ^abBarnes,The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons,p. 26
  19. ^abRAAF Historical Section,Units of the Royal Australian Air Force,p. 9
  20. ^"No. 4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps"(PDF).Australian Imperial Force War Diaries.Australian War Memorial.Retrieved12 February2017.
  21. ^abStephens,The Royal Australian Air Force,pp. 16–21
  22. ^Isaacs,Military Aircraft of Australia 1909–1918,p. 158
  23. ^Newton,Australian Air Aces,pp. 60–61
  24. ^abBarnes,The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons,p. 27
  25. ^Roylance,Air Base Richmond,pp. 41–42, 124
  26. ^Barnes,The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons,p. 28
  27. ^"Beachhead Battles".Australia's War 1939–1945.Archived fromthe originalon 4 February 2014.Retrieved12 October2013.
  28. ^abBarnes,The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons,p. 29
  29. ^Barnes,The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons,p. 30
  30. ^Cowan, Brendan."Piper L-4 Grasshopper/Cub".Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History RAAF.Retrieved12 October2013.
  31. ^abBarnes,The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons,p. 31
  32. ^"4 Squadron RAAF".Second World War, 1939–1945 units.Australian War Memorial. Archived fromthe originalon 14 October 2013.Retrieved12 October2013.
  33. ^Barnes,The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons,p. 32
  34. ^ab"No 4 Squadron".RAAF Museum.Retrieved12 October2013.
  35. ^Barnes,The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons,p. 23
  36. ^"New Air Force Capability at Williamtown"(Press release). Department of Defence. 3 July 2009.Retrieved3 July2009.
  37. ^"Air Combat group set to fly".Air Force News.September 2001.Retrieved24 August2014.
  38. ^"FAC flight formed".Royal Australian Air Force Air Power Development Centre.Retrieved12 October2013.
  39. ^"First PC-21s accepted by RAAF".Australian Aviation.24 January 2020.Retrieved24 January2020.
  40. ^Barnes,The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons,pp. 26–32

References

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  • Barnes, Norman (2000).The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons.St Leonards, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin.ISBN1-86508-130-2.
  • Isaacs, Keith (1971).Military Aircraft of Australia 1909–1918.Canberra: Australian War Memorial.ISBN9780642993748.
  • McLaughlin, Andrew (2009). "4SQN: A new era for JTAC training".Australian Aviation(265). Canberra: Phantom Media.ISSN0813-0876.
  • Newton, Dennis (1996).Australian Air Aces: Australian Fighter Pilots in Combat.Fyshwick, Australian Capital Territory: Aerospace Publications.ISBN1-875671-25-0.
  • RAAF Historical Section (1995).Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History Volume 2: Fighter Units.Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.ISBN0-644-42794-9.
  • Roylance, Derek (1991).Air Base Richmond.RAAF Base Richmond: Royal Australian Air Force.ISBN0-646-05212-8.
  • Stephens, Alan (2006) [2001].The Royal Australian Air Force: A History.London: Oxford University Press.ISBN0-19-555541-4.

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related toNo. 4 Squadron RAAF.
  • Eather, Steve (1995).Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force.Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory: Aerospace Publications.ISBN1-875671-15-3.
  • Johnston, Mark(2011).Whispering Death: Australian Airmen in the Pacific War.Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin.ISBN978-1-74175-901-3.
  • Molkentin, Michael (2010).Fire in the Sky: The Australian Flying Corps in the First World War.Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin.ISBN978-1-74237-072-9.
  • Richards, E.J. (1919).Australian Airmen: History of the 4th Squadron, Australian Flying Corps.Melbourne: Bruce & Co.OCLC220037434.
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