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Within the Royal Australian Air Force there are a number of small flying units, each of which plays a small but important part in the overall RAAF structure. Number 34 Squadron (VIP transport), the Aircraft Research and Development Unit, and Number 4 Flight (Forward Air Control) are three groups of specialist flying units.
Number 34 Squadron
Number 34 Squadron is the RAAF’s VIP transport squadron, responsible for the safe and comfortable air transport for Australia’s leading citizens and for visiting dignitaries. The Squadron was formed as a transport squadron at Darwin in February 1942, four days after the first Japanese air raids, with a strength of two DH84A Dragons, two officers and four airmen. During the war the squadron flew a variety of aircraft from various bases. At the close of World War II, 34 Squadron, then equipped with Douglas Dakotas, was involved in the evacuation of Australian POWs from Sumatra, Java and Siam. In 1946 the unit was disbanded, only to be re-established as a communications squadron in 1948. The squadron was temporarily disbanded in late 1955 until early 1956, when it succeeded the existing RAAF VIP Flight to become 34 (Special Transport) Squadron, and based at RAAF Fairbairn (Canberra Airport).
Role
Number 34 Squadron is a specialist unit responsible for the air transportation of regal and vice-regal dignitaries, Australian Government officials, and visiting foreign representatives. [Long-range VIP transportation has been recently seconded to the Boeing 707s of 33 Flight (previously with 37 Squadron)]. Quite often, 34 Squadron is one of the only real contacts that VIP visitors make with Australia and, accordingly, the unit has the responsibility of literally representing Australia, presenting and promoting an image of efficiency, courtesy and professionalism. Two BAC 111s, three Dassault Mysteres and two Hawker Siddeley 748 aircraft make up the 34 Squadron fleet. One hundred and seventy-six personnel serve with the unit and are divided into two flights: maintenance and operations. Operations flight is made up of all maintenance-related personnel, while flying and administrative personnel are grouped into maintenance flight. Unlike a lot of other RAAF units, 34 Squadron maintains its own aircraft, and it is, therefore, a wholly self-sufficient unit.
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