No. 34 Squadron RAAF

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No. 34 Squadron RAAF
Latin: "I Go and I Return")
AircraftBoeing 737 Business Jet
Dassault Falcon 7X
EngagementsWorld War II
Cold War

No. 34 Squadron is a

Defence Establishment Fairbairn in Canberra. The squadron was formed in February 1942 for standard transport duties during World War II, initially flying de Havilland DH.84 Dragons in Northern Australia. In 1943 it re-equipped with Douglas C-47 Dakotas, which it operated in New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies
prior to disbanding in June 1946.

The unit was re-established in March 1948 as No. 34 (Communications) Squadron at

Bombardier Challenger 604s
. The Challengers were replaced with the Falcon 7Xs in 2019.

Role and equipment

A twin-jet, high-tailplane passenger aircraft painted white above and grey below
No. 34 Squadron Falcon 7X at Canberra Airport, October 2019

No. 34 Squadron is the

Defence Establishment Fairbairn in Canberra, and administered by No. 86 Wing, which is part of Air Mobility Group.[2] The squadron has a secondary role providing emergency transport during humanitarian operations.[3][4] Its motto is Eo et redeo ("I Go and I Return").[5]

As at 2011, No. 34 Squadron's strength included around thirty pilots and thirty flight attendants.[6] Captains are generally senior pilots who have previously flown the RAAF's Boeing C-17 Globemaster, Lockheed C-130 Hercules, or Lockheed AP-3C Orion.[7] Their co-pilots are new RAAF personnel who have recently graduated from No. 2 Flying Training School, and the crew attendants are posted to the squadron after completing training and a period of service with No. 33 Squadron.[8] The squadron's VIP Operations Cell (VIPOPS) is responsible for managing requests for VIP air transport as well as dedicated security staff.[8] Most logistical support, including meal preparation, is provided under commercial arrangements rather than by RAAF personnel.[9]

Twin-jet passenger plane in flight, wheels down
No. 34 Squadron Boeing 737, April 2004

No. 34 Squadron operates two Boeing 737 Business Jets and three Dassault Falcon 7Xs.[1] The aircraft are leased from, and maintained by, Northrop Grumman Integrated Defence Services (previously Qantas Defence Services).[10] The twin-engined Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) is crewed by two pilots and up to four flight attendants, and can carry thirty passengers. The tri-jet Falcon 7X has a crew of two pilots and one flight attendant, and carries up to fourteen passengers.[1] The jets are classified as "Special Purpose Aircraft", meaning that their tasking is governed by Federal guidelines for carrying "entitled persons" on official business. To minimise government outlay, the jets may not be employed when available commercial flights satisfy the timing, location and security requirements of a given task. No. 34 Squadron conducts between 1,200 and 1,800 flights each year. A Schedule of Special Purpose Flights is tabled twice annually in Federal Parliament.[4] VIPOPS usually assigns one of No. 34 Squadron's aircraft to approved tasks, but other Australian Defence Force aircraft are occasionally used for tasks not suited to the BBJ or Challenger; for instance, Prime Minister Julia Gillard travelled to China on board a No. 33 Squadron Airbus KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport in April 2013.[11]

History

World War II and aftermath

Five twin-engined cargo planes in flight
No. 34 Squadron Dakotas over New Guinea, c. 1944

During February and March 1942, the RAAF formed four transport units: Nos. 33, 34,

Flight Lieutenant J.W. Warwick, became the first (acting) commanding officer on 2 March. The following day, one of the Dragons was destroyed on the ground at Wyndham, Western Australia, by enemy air attack. With its other aircraft unserviceable, and accommodation at Darwin's civil airfield inadequate, squadron headquarters relocated to Daly Waters Airfield on 5 March. On 14 March another Dragon was allocated; this was joined by two Avro Ansons and two de Havilland Tiger Moths in mid-May, by which time the squadron had moved to Batchelor Airfield. By the end of the month, the squadron had thirty-four personnel, including six officers. It lost one of the Tiger Moths to a bushfire on 1 July, a few days after the plane crashlanded south of Katherine. The squadron relocated again on 15 July, this time to Hughes Airfield. It remained at Hughes until 27 August, when it transferred to Manbulloo Airfield; it operated from Manbulloo until it was temporarily disbanded on 13 December and its aircraft transferred to No. 6 Communications Flight.[5]

No. 34 Squadron was re-formed on 3 January 1943 at Parafield Airport, South Australia, from elements of No. 36 Squadron formerly based at Essendon, Victoria.[5][15] Initially comprising ninety-six personnel and eight aircraft, by the end of the month the squadron's strength had been reduced to seventy personnel and three Dragons operating in South Australia and the Northern Territory. On 11 March one of the Dragons was destroyed on takeoff at Parafield, causing two deaths—No. 34 Squadron's first fatalities. Another Dragon was lost in a fire after it crashlanded near Tennant Creek in April.[5] Beginning in May 1943, the Dragons were augmented by Douglas C-47 Dakotas, giving the squadron a total strength of three Dakotas and two Dragons by the following month.[5][13] By July, No. 34 Squadron was operating five Dakotas, which had fully replaced the Dragons, and in August its strength stood at seven Dakotas and 153 personnel, including forty-seven officers.[5] It subsequently received an Airspeed Oxford and a Douglas DC-2, and began making supply drops and medical evacuations as far north as Port Moresby, New Guinea.[5][13] The squadron had its busiest month in May 1944, transporting almost 1,900 passengers and over 1,000,000 pounds (450,000 kg) of cargo. On 1 June it became the first operational RAAF squadron to have personnel of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) in its ranks, a contingent made up of an officer and twenty airwomen.[5] The WAAAF had been formed in 1941 and eventually made up thirty-one per cent of RAAF ground staff; its members were primarily employed in technical trades and were not permitted to serve in combat theatres.[16][17]

Twin-engined cargo plane painted white and grey with orange extremities, parked on tarmac
Former No. 34 Squadron Bristol Freighter preserved at RAAF Museum in Point Cook, Victoria

October 1944 saw a detachment of the squadron operating from

Tarakan after the islands were captured. It remained at Morotai until the end of the war, at which time it became involved in repatriating Australian former prisoners of war from Singapore, and then in courier flights supporting the formation of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan.[5][13] No. 34 Squadron returned to Australia between January and March 1946 and disbanded at RAAF Station Richmond, New South Wales, on 6 June.[5]

The squadron was re-established at

Woomera rocket range, focal point of the Anglo-Australian Long Range Weapons Project during the Cold War.[20][21] No. 34 (Communications) Squadron flew the only Vickers Viking to be taken on strength by the RAAF, and was also the only RAAF squadron to operate the Bristol Freighter.[22][23] Three Freighters were taken on strength in April and May 1949, and a fourth in September 1951; one was lost with all three crew members in a crash near Mallala on 25 November 1953 after its wing failed in flight.[23][24] The squadron also operated Percival Prince, Auster, Dakota and Anson aircraft, undertaking regular transport duties and disaster relief along with its Woomera support work before disbanding at Mallala on 28 October 1955.[13]

VIP operations

Four-engined turboprop passenger plane parked on airstrip
No. 34 Squadron Viscount, Fairbairn, 1964–69

No. 34 (VIP) Flight was established at RAAF Base Canberra on 12 March 1956, and charged with the safe carriage of the Governor-General, senior Australian politicians and military officers, and visiting foreign dignitaries. It was formed from the VIP Flight of No. 36 Squadron, under

Department of Air to maintain their flying proficiency.[29]

No. 34 (Special Transport) Squadron's home in Canberra was renamed RAAF Base Fairbairn in March 1962, and the unit was redesignated No. 34 Squadron on 13 June 1963.

VIP affair" led to more stringent guidelines governing No. 34 Squadron's tasking, requiring approval for flights to be made by the British Royal Family, the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, or the Minister for Air. Eligibility criteria were also codified, and potential passengers included Federal ministers, opposition leaders, "individuals of similar status and importance visiting Australia", two-star officers and above, and other dignitaries of similar status.[33] During the 1970s one of No. 34 Squadron's BAC 1-11s experienced an engine failure over the Tasman Sea while carrying Prime Minister Gough Whitlam to New Zealand. The aircraft made a safe landing in Australia, but the incident led the RAAF to investigate using three- or four-engined aircraft for future VIP flights involving long over-water legs.[34] The government eventually purchased two Boeing 707s from Qantas to perform long-range VIP flights and to improve the RAAF's strategic transport capabilities. Entering service in 1979, they joined the newly established No. 33 Flight (later No. 33 Squadron) in 1981.[35] More 707s were acquired between 1983 and 1988, and four were converted for air-to-air refuelling in the early 1990s.[36] In 1984, No. 34 Squadron was awarded the Gloucester Cup for its proficiency.[19]

Trijet passenger plane on runway, with nose of another aircraft in background
No. 34 Squadron Falcon 900, October 1999

The squadron again became part of No. 86 Wing in June 1988, though its tasking continued to be controlled by the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, and the

INTERFET operations in East Timor in 1999, carrying senior Australian military and diplomatic staff to Dili on a goodwill mission.[48]

A twin-jet, high-tailplane passenger aircraft painted white above and grey below, parked on tarmac with its front stairs deployed
No. 34 Squadron Challenger 604, August 2004

The Falcon 900s were replaced by two Boeing 737 Business Jets and three Bombardier Challenger 604s in July 2002. The new aircraft also replaced the two Boeing 707s operated by No. 33 Squadron in the VIP transport role.

Queensland floods, and was again awarded the Gloucester Cup for proficiency.[3] No. 34 Squadron celebrated its 70th anniversary at Parliament House, Canberra, on 18 February 2012; the following day, a memorial to its first fatalities in March 1942 was unveiled at Fairbairn.[53][54]

On 13 October 2017, No. 34 Squadron was transferred from No. 84 Wing to No. 86 Wing. [55] The squadron's Challengers were replaced with three Dassault Falcon 7Xs in 2019. The new aircraft are larger and longer-ranged than the Challengers, and carry more advanced communications equipment.[10][56] In April 2020, No. 34 Squadron was awarded the Gloucester Cup for its performance the previous year.[57]

The 737s failed to achieve their programmed flying hours from around 2020 due to the age of the aircraft and need for maintenance. They also suffered from reliability problems; one incident caused an important National Cabinet meeting to be delayed when Prime Minister Scott Morrison was unable to depart from Cairns. As a result, in December 2021 the government decided to replace the 737s with two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. These aircraft will be provided by the National Australia Bank. They are scheduled to enter service in 2024 and be retained until 2036.[58]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Royal Australian Air Force, Air Force Capability Guide 2020, pp. 43, 83–84.
  2. ^ Royal Australian Air Force, Air Force Capability Guide 2020, p. 38.
  3. ^ a b "No. 34 Squadron". Royal Australian Air Force. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Special purpose aircraft". Royal Australian Air Force. Archived from the original on 28 November 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o RAAF Historical Section, Maritime and Transport Units, pp. 41–45.
  6. ^ McPhedran, Air Force, p. 279.
  7. ^ a b McPhedran, Air Force, p. 283.
  8. ^ a b Moclair, "34SQN", p. 53.
  9. ^ Moclair, "34SQN", p. 55.
  10. ^ a b "RAAF receives first Dassault Falcon 7X". Australian Aviation. 18 April 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  11. ^ Moclair, "34SQN", p. 54.
  12. ^ a b Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, p. 481 Archived 23 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h Eather, Flying Squadrons, pp. 69–70.
  14. ^ "New 34 Squadron collected Japanese prisoner". Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  15. ^ RAAF Historical Section, Maritime and Transport Units, p. 56.
  16. ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, p. 156.
  17. ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, p. 492 Archived 23 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine.
  18. ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 481 Archived 23 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine.
  19. ^ a b c d e f RAAF Historical Section, Maritime and Transport Units, pp. 45–46
  20. ^ "No. 34 Squadron". RAAF Museum. Archived from the original on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  21. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 446–47.
  22. ^ "Vickers Viking". RAAF Museum. Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  23. ^ a b "Bristol Freighter". RAAF Museum. Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  24. Aviation Safety Network. Archived
    from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  25. ^ a b Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 416, 426.
  26. ^ RAAF Historical Section, Maritime and Transport Units, p. 184.
  27. ^ "Convair Metropolitan". RAAF Museum. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  28. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 426–27.
  29. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, p. 437.
  30. ^ RAAF Historical Section, Maritime and Transport Units, p. 139.
  31. ^ a b "No. 34 Squadron's history". Royal Australian Air Force. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  32. ^ "Vickers Viscount". RAAF Museum. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  33. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 427–28.
  34. ^ a b Wilson, Military Aircraft of Australia, p. 29.
  35. ^ Wilson, Military Aircraft of Australia, p. 37.
  36. ^ "Boeing 707". RAAF Museum. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  37. ^ Roylance, Air Base Richmond, pp. 107–08, 115.
  38. ^ "Falcon 900". RAAF Museum. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  39. ^ "Hawker Siddeley HS748". RAAF Museum. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  40. ^ Morel, David (August 1993). "34 Squadron at its best". RAAF News. pp. 10–11.
  41. ^ Wilson, Military Aircraft of Australia, p. 90.
  42. ^ Odgers, Air Force Australia, p. 187.
  43. ^ "Commendation for 34SQN". RAAF News. June 1993. p. 8.
  44. ^ a b "Bulletin board". Air Force News. October 1999. p. 18.
  45. ^ Hamilton, Eamon (8 May 2014). "Symbolic change is perfect timing". Air Force. p. 7. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  46. ^ Odgers, Air Force Australia, p. 206.
  47. ^ "Defence Annual Report 1997–98: Australian Defence Force Units and Establishments" (PDF). Department of Defence. p. 53. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  48. ^ McPhedran, Air Force, p. 24.
  49. ^ "Boeing BBJ". RAAF Museum. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  50. ^ "Challenger 604". RAAF Museum. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  51. ^ McPhedran, Air Force, pp. 279–80.
  52. ^ Rollings, Barry (27 November 2008). "34SQN's top 20". Air Force. p. 7. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  53. ^ Mills, Lyn (22 February 2012). "VIP fleet formed as Darwin burned". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  54. ^ Solomou, Bill (1 March 2012). "Memorial a moving tribute". Air Force. p. 9. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  55. ^ "S20172556". Defence Image Library. Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  56. ^ "Dassault Falcon 7X". Royal Australian Air Force. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  57. ^ Hurren, Clarice (30 April 2020). "Delivering to the highest standard as the tempo climbs". Air Force. p. 5. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  58. ^ Felton, Ben (22 June 2022). "RAAF's 737MAX to be delivered next year - Australian Defence Magazine". Australian Defence Magazine. Retrieved 24 June 2023.

References

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