- No. 2 Squadron RAAF
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No. 2 Squadron 
A RAAF Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft in 2009Active 1916–1982
2000–presentCountry Australia Branch Royal Australian Air Force Role Airborne early warning and control Part of Surveillance & Response Group, No. 42 Wing Base RAAF Base Williamtown Motto "Consilio et manu" Commanders Notable
commandersOswald Watt (1916–18)
Alan Charlesworth (1939)
Peter Raw (1953–1955)Aircraft flown Electronic
warfareBoeing Wedgetail No. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. From its formation in 1916, it has operated a variety of aircraft types including fighters, bombers, and Airborne Early Warning & Control.
Contents
History
World War I
No. 2 Squadron was established as a unit of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Heliopolis, Egypt,[1] initially flying Airco DH.5 fighters, and with this equipment the squadron was heavily involved as a ground attack unit during the Battle of Cambrai. The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a replaced the DH.5 in December 1917, and No.2 became a pure fighter unit, eventually producing 17 flying aces, including Francis Ryan Smith, Roy Cecil Phillipps, Roby Lewis Manuel, Henry Garnet Forrest, Adrian Cole, Eric Douglas Cummings, Richard Watson Howard, Frank Alberry, Ernest Edgar Davies, and James Wellwood.[2]
No. 2 Squadron Canberra in Vietnam, 1970
World War II
During World War II, No. 2 Squadron operated as a bomber unit in the Pacific theatre.
Post-World War II
The squadron flew Avro Lincolns and English Electric Canberras in the Malayan Emergency, and Canberras in the Vietnam War.
After Vietnam, No. 2 Squadron was based at RAAF Base Amberley, west of Brisbane, Queensland, until its disbandment in 1982.[3] In the later years of the Canberra bomber's RAAF operations, it was predominately used for target towing and aerial mapping using call sign Magpie in recognition of the squadron's emblem.
The squadron was re-formed in 2000 to operate Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft procurred as part of Project Wedgetail, out of RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal.[3] On 26 November 2009, the RAAF accepted the first two 737 AEW&C aircraft. By the end of 2010, three additional Wedgetail aircraft are to be delivered.[4]
References
- ^ "2 Squadron – Australian Flying Corps of World War I". http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/australi/2.php. Retrieved 1 August 2006.
- ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/australi/2.php Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- ^ a b No 2 Squadron at RAAF Museum. Retrieved on 17 March 2008.
- ^ "Boeing Delivers 2 Wedgetail AEW&C Aircraft to Royal Australian Air Force". Boeing, 26 November 2009.
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Article XV squadrons Joint Netherlands-Australian squadrons Categories:- RAAF squadrons
- Military units and formations established in 1916
- Military units and formations of Australia in the Vietnam War
- 1916 establishments in Australia
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