A RAAF squadron that formed in 1939 and disbanded twice has reformed yet again but without conventional aircraft – or pilots.
It now operates the remotely-flown aircraft, the MQ-4C Triton, which performs high-altitude long-range surveillance.
Squadron Commanding Officer Wing Commander (WC) Lawry Benier says their new aircraft is “quite different” to most others in the Australian Defence Force.
“One key reason is there are many pieces of the ‘puzzle’ that fly and that remain on the ground, all networked using our strategic communications infrastructure,” he says.
“We’ve got a great deal of learning to do, and in the not-too-distant future we will take it on operations.”
About the Triton, WC Benier says: “It goes a long way, it sees a long way, it stays there a long time, and it tells everyone what it sees.
“It’s this collection of attributes that provides Defence with an eye in our region, and plenty of capacity to survey our maritime approaches.”
A milestone of the Triton’s introduction involved control from RAAF bases at Tindal (Northern Territory) and at Edinburgh (South Australia).
Asked what comes next for 9 Squadron, WC Benier says education; specifically, learning more about what it can do.
“The next thing will be taking it further afield, putting it through all of its mission roles and enabling Defence to learn about its use,” he says.
“We’ve got a great deal of learning to do; in the not-too-distant future, we will take the Triton on operations.”
The federal government is buying four of the aircraft; the final one is due to arrive in 2028.
“It’s great that the albatross (9 Squadron badge) is once again airborne,” WC Benier says.
SQUADRON HISTORY
- Formed in January 1939 at RAAF Base Richmond, 9 Squadron operated Walrus and Seagulls amphibious biplane aircraft from Naval cruisers during World War II.
- In 1944, they disbanded but in June 1962, they were reformed at RAAF Base Williamtown (NSW) then moved to RAAF Base Fairbairn (ACT) and RAAF Base Amberley (Queensland) to provide rescue and airlift capabilities for the Army.
- They served in Vietnam (notably at Long Tan), flying Bell UH-1 ‘Huey’ Iroquois helicopters until they were transferred to Army command, and the squadron again disbanded in February 1989.
- In June 2023, it reformed at RAAF bases Edinburgh (SA) and Tindal (NT).
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