In Active Service

Tony Self Reviews The Australian Operational Commands

Part 5: Fighter Squadrons

The great debate over the RAAF’s New Tactical Fighter choice has now been raging for a number of years, and while the technical and political arguments continue, the Mirage fighter is continuing to operate effectively as the backbone of Australia’s air defence system. Although the sleek Mirage is often described as ageing and obsolescent, she is, in fact, a lethal and capable fighter.

After its introduction in 1964, the Royal Australian Air Force operated four Mirage fighter squadrons but in 1973 this number was reduced to three when, under defence cutbacks, Number 76 Squadron was disbanded. Today, Numbers 3 and 75 Squadrons operate Mirages from RAAF Butterworth in Malaysia, and Number 77 Squadron from RAAF Williamtown in New South Wales. Additionally, a number of Mirages are operated by Number 2 (Fighter) Operational Conversion Unit (Williamtown) and the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (Edinburgh, S. A. ).

History

Number 3 Squadron was formed as an Army Co-operation squadron in the First World War and became an interceptor squadron in World War II. Numbers 75 and 77 Squadrons were formed during World War II operating Kittyhawk fighters. After the war, all three squadrons continued operating fighters. Number 77 Squadron saw service in the Korean War flying Mustangs and Meteors. Eventually, in the 1950s the RAAF fighter squadrons re-equipped with CAC Avon-Sabre fighters. In 1960 studies were initiated to find a suitable replacement for the highly successful and much respected Avon-Sabre. (The Sabre is profiled in the September edition of AADR. ) The two aircraft in the final shortlist were the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter and the Dassault Mirage Ill. The Mirage I11-E was eventually chosen as the new fighter.

The Mirage not only offered extremely good performance but presented the opportunity for Australian manufacture.

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