No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF

No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF
A 2OCU F/A-18B in 1985
Active	1942–1947 1952–current
Country	Australia
Branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Part of	No. 78 Wing RAAF
Garrison/HQ	RAAF Base Williamtown
Motto	Juventus Non Sine Pinnis Latin: "The Young Shall Have Wings"
Commanders
Notable commanders	Peter Jeffrey (1942–43, 1944–46) Neville McNamara (1959–61)
Aircraft flown
Fighter	F/A-18 Hornet

No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU) is a Royal Australian Air Force training unit located at RAAF Base Williamtown. 2OCU's main role is to train pilots to operate the F/A-18 Hornet. New RAAF pilots enter 2OCU for training after first qualifying to fly jet fighters in No. 76 Squadron. After qualifying on the F/A-18, pilots are posted to one of the RAAF's operational F/A-18 squadrons (No. 3 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron and No. 77 Squadron).

History

2OCU was established as No.2(F) Operational Training Unit in April 1942. During the Second World War the Unit provided training in a wide range of aircraft, including Kittyhawks, Vengeances, Ansons, Boomerangs, Spitfires and Oxfords. No.2(F) Operational Training Unit was disbanded in March 1947.

2OCU was re-formed in March 1952 to provide training on the CAC Sabre jet fighter. Since then it has provided conversion training on all the RAAF's fighter aircraft, including the Mirage III and F/A-18. The unit has also provided advanced jet aircraft training using Macchi MB-326, though this role is now filled by No. 76 Squadron.

References

• 2OCU Official Website