No. 36 Squadron RAAF

No. 36 Squadron is a strategic transport unit of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Based at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, it operates Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavy airlifters under No. 86 Wing, Air Mobility Group. Its principal role is to move personnel, vehicles, equipment and humanitarian supplies over long distances in support of Australian Defence Force operations, allied missions, disaster relief and international peacekeeping. The squadron is a military aviation unit rather than a commercial brand, but its identity functions as a public-facing institutional brand associated with Australian strategic mobility and overseas airlift. The squadron was established at RAAF Station Laverton, Victoria, on 11 March 1942, during the expansion of Australia's wartime transport capability. It initially operated Douglas DC-2 aircraft and a variety of light transport types, moving personnel and supplies within Australia and to New Guinea. After relocating through Essendon and Townsville, it adopted the Douglas C-47 Dakota and supported the New Guinea campaign with troop transport, courier flights and supply drops. The unit also participated in the postwar occupation of Japan and helped repatriate prisoners of war. The Second World War period included significant losses, including fatal Dakota crashes at Port Moresby in 1942, Archerfield in 1943 and Aitape in 1945. After the war, No. 36 Squadron became part of No. 86 (Transport) Wing and was based first at Schofields and later Richmond in New South Wales. Its transport network extended to Japan, and squadron personnel contributed to the Berlin Airlift from 1948 to 1949, helping deliver supplies and passengers to the isolated city. The squadron was re-formed at Iwakuni, Japan, in March 1953 as part of No. 91 (Composite) Wing during the Korean War era. It flew Dakota missions and evacuated more than 900 Commonwealth prisoners of war before returning to Australia in 1955. A major technological transition occurred in 1958, when No. 36 Squadron became the first non-United States operator of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. It flew C-130A and later C-130H aircraft for almost five decades, supporting the Indonesia-Malaysia Konfrontasi, the Vietnam War, domestic emergencies and numerous peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. The squadron transported Australian and allied personnel across Southeast Asia, conducted medical evacuations and supplied remote or austere locations. It supported the evacuation of civilians from Cambodia in 1997, the INTERFET mission in East Timor, operations in Somalia and the Middle East, relief after the Bali bombings and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and other regional contingencies. In 2006, the squadron moved from Richmond to Amberley and began replacing its Hercules with the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. The first aircraft arrived in December 2006, and initial operating capability was achieved in September 2007. The unit ultimately operated eight C-17s, with the final aircraft delivered in November 2015. The Globemaster provides substantially greater payload, range and vehicle-carrying capacity than the Dakota or Hercules and can use comparatively short or unsealed runways. It can carry heavy military vehicles, helicopters, more than 130 passengers or approximately 70 tonnes of cargo, and can be refuelled in flight by RAAF KC-30A aircraft. The modern squadron continues to combine strategic airlift with rapid-response support. Its missions have included assistance after the 2011 Queensland floods, the Christchurch earthquake and the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, as well as support for Australian and coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. The squadron's crest depicts a horse, representing strength, speed, mobility and dependability, and its motto is “Sure.”

No. 36 Squadron RAAF was formed at Laverton on 11 March 1942 as one of several transport squadrons created during the Second World War. Its early fleet included DC-2s and several smaller de Havilland aircraft. The squadron moved to Essendon in July 1942 and Townsville later that year, undertaking transport flights across Australia and to Port Moresby. It began receiving C-47 Dakotas in 1943 and subsequently became heavily involved in the New Guinea campaign, carrying troops, mail and supplies and conducting airdrops. Fatal accidents occurred during this period, including the loss of an aircraft at Archerfield in March 1943 with all 23 people aboard. In 1945, squadron aircraft supported operations in Bougainville and flew almost 800 sorties during the first half of the year. It also flew paratroopers into Singapore during the reoccupation and later assisted with troop movements and prisoner repatriation. In the postwar period the squadron operated from Schofields and Richmond as part of No. 86 (Transport) Wing. It maintained long-distance courier services to Japan and supplied personnel for the Berlin Airlift from August 1948 to 1949. The unit was temporarily disbanded at Richmond in March 1953 and re-formed at Iwakuni, Japan, from No. 30 Transport Unit. As part of No. 91 (Composite) Wing, it supported the Korean War aftermath and evacuated more than 900 Commonwealth prisoners of war. It returned to Australia in 1955. The next defining stage began in 1958, when the squadron exchanged its Dakotas for Lockheed C-130A Hercules aircraft. It was the first operator outside the United States to receive the type. Hercules operations greatly expanded the RAAF's range and payload capability. The squadron supported the Commonwealth airlift during the Indonesia-Malaysia Konfrontasi and later conducted transport and medical evacuation missions during the Vietnam War. It also responded to domestic emergencies, most notably Cyclone Tracy in 1974, when eight aircraft flew more than 550 hours and transported thousands of passengers and substantial relief cargo. C-130A aircraft were replaced by C-130H models in 1978. The Hercules era also included the first Australian Hercules landing in Antarctica in 1978 and the accumulation of extensive accident-free flying milestones. During the 1990s and early 2000s, No. 36 Squadron supported the Gulf War, Operation Solace in Somalia, the evacuation of civilians from Cambodia, INTERFET in East Timor, relief after the Bali bombings and Operation Sumatra Assist following the 2004 tsunami. It deployed to the Middle East for the 2003 Iraq operation and continued transport missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. In June 2004, one aircraft received ground fire near Baghdad and a coalition passenger was killed. The squadron moved into the heavy-airlift era in 2006. It transferred its Hercules fleet to No. 37 Squadron, relocated to Amberley and accepted Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIIs. Initial operating capability followed in September 2007. Wing Commander Linda Corbould commanded the unit during this transition and became the first woman to lead an RAAF flying squadron. The final eighth C-17 was delivered in 2015. Today the squadron's identity is centred on global strategic mobility, support to Australian and coalition operations, and rapid humanitarian response. Its crest's horse symbolises strength, speed, mobility and dependability, while “Sure” is its official motto.

• 2015

  Eighth Globemaster delivered

  [1]No. 36 Squadron RAAFen.wikipedia.org

  Delivery of the eighth and final Australian C-17 completed the squadron's planned fleet.

• 2007

  Initial C-17 operating capability

  [1]No. 36 Squadron RAAFen.wikipedia.org

  The unit achieved initial operating capability with the Globemaster on 11 September.

• 2006

  Move to Amberley and C-17 transition

  [1]No. 36 Squadron RAAFen.wikipedia.org

  The squadron relocated to Queensland and began operating Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIIs.

• 1978

  C-130H introduced

  [1]No. 36 Squadron RAAFen.wikipedia.org

  The older C-130A fleet was replaced by C-130H aircraft.

• 1974

  Cyclone Tracy relief

  [1]No. 36 Squadron RAAFen.wikipedia.org

  The squadron mounted a major airlift supporting Darwin after Cyclone Tracy.

• 1958

  Hercules era begins

  [1]No. 36 Squadron RAAFen.wikipedia.org

  It became the first non-US operator of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.

• 1953

  Re-formed in Japan

  [1]No. 36 Squadron RAAFen.wikipedia.org

  The squadron was re-established at Iwakuni as part of No. 91 (Composite) Wing.

• 1948

  Berlin Airlift participation

  [1]No. 36 Squadron RAAFen.wikipedia.org

  Personnel joined the Berlin Airlift, contributing transport capacity for almost a year.

• 1943

  Dakota re-equipment

  [1]No. 36 Squadron RAAFen.wikipedia.org

  The squadron began replacing its mixed early transport fleet with Douglas C-47 Dakotas.

• 1942

  Squadron established

  [1]No. 36 Squadron RAAFen.wikipedia.org

  No. 36 Squadron was formed at Laverton, Victoria, on 11 March to provide wartime transport capability.

A high-readiness Australian strategic airlift unit combining heavy cargo transport, global reach, operational responsiveness and humanitarian support.

• Strategic military airlifter · 2006

  Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

  The squadron's current heavy transport aircraft. The C-17 can carry approximately 70 tonnes of cargo, military vehicles, helicopters or more than 130 passengers. It is designed for long-range operations and can use comparatively short or unsealed runways. The type entered squadron service in 2006 and supports strategic mobility, humanitarian relief, evacuation and deployed military operations.

• Military transport aircraft · 1958

  Lockheed C-130 Hercules

  No. 36 Squadron operated C-130A and C-130H Hercules aircraft from 1958 until its fleet transfer in 2006. The type enabled long-range troop and cargo transport, airdrop, medical evacuation, Antarctic operations and support to conflicts and relief missions across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East.

• Military transport aircraft · 1943

  Douglas C-47 Dakota

  The squadron's principal wartime transport type from 1943 and its main aircraft during the New Guinea campaign, postwar courier operations, the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War period. Dakotas carried troops, supplies and mail and conducted airdrop and repatriation missions.

• 2003Iraq deployment

  Iraq · Middle East

  A detachment of two Hercules aircraft deployed to the Middle East for Australia's contribution to the Iraq invasion and subsequent transport activity.

  Outcome. The detachment flew operational transport missions until relief by No. 37 Squadron aircraft in 2004.

  Source
• 1999INTERFET

  East Timor

  A squadron detachment supported the multinational intervention and stabilisation mission in East Timor.

  Outcome. Sustained deployed personnel and logistics during the initial INTERFET period.

  Source
• 1993Operation Solace

  Somalia

  The squadron transported Australian troops and equipment supporting the international mission in Somalia.

  Outcome. Provided air mobility for Australia's contribution to the operation.

  Source
• 1965Vietnam War support

  Australia · South Vietnam · Southeast Asia

  The squadron conducted long-range transport and medical evacuation flights to support Australian and allied forces.

  Outcome. Maintained an air bridge between Australia and operational locations in Southeast Asia.

  Source
• 1962Indonesia-Malaysia Konfrontasi

  Southeast Asia

  Hercules aircraft joined Commonwealth airlift operations between Singapore and Borneo during the confrontation.

  Outcome. The squadron sustained regional transport missions over several years.

  Source
• 1948Berlin Airlift

  Germany

  Squadron personnel and crews contributed to the Allied airlift supplying West Berlin.

  Outcome. Australian participants delivered large quantities of supplies and thousands of passengers during the nearly year-long commitment.

  Source
• 1942New Guinea campaign

  New Guinea · Australia

  The squadron moved troops and supplies, ran courier services and conducted supply drops in support of Allied operations in New Guinea.

  Outcome. Provided sustained wartime transport support through the end of the Pacific War.

  Source

• 2006

  Transition from Hercules to GlobemasterGeneration change

  Background

  The RAAF required greater strategic lift capacity than the long-serving C-130H fleet could provide.

  Action taken

  No. 36 Squadron transferred its Hercules aircraft to No. 37 Squadron, moved to Amberley and began accepting Boeing C-17 aircraft.

  Aftermath

  The squadron achieved initial C-17 operating capability in 2007 and ultimately operated eight aircraft.

  Source

• 1958

  Introduction of the C-130 HerculesProduct launch

  Background

  The Dakota fleet limited the squadron's payload, range and speed for emerging regional transport requirements.

  Action taken

  The squadron accepted twelve C-130A aircraft after conversion training in the United States.

  Aftermath

  It became the first non-US Hercules operator and gained a substantially expanded strategic and tactical transport role.

  Source

1. 1No. 36 Squadron RAAFen.wikipedia.org