RAAF units awarded with squadron colours

Air

02 March 2021

By: Liam Garman

RAAF units awarded with squadron colours

Two RAAF units received squadron colours at a ceremonial parade last Thursday.

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The No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit, and No. 26 Squadron at RAAF Williamtown marked their 50 and 25 years of service, respectively, with the consecration of unit colours at a parade last week.

The ceremonial parade was attended by Governor-General David Hurley, AC, DSC, where he presented the squadron colours to the units. The parade was also marked by a flyover from an E-7A Wedgetail.

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Wing Commander Simon Wildermuth, Commanding Officer No. 3 of the Control and Reporting Unit, explained that his unit was established in 1967 in order to support the air defence network with radar capabilities.

“Over the years, No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit has gradually incorporated military and civilian surveillance capabilities from around the country into its Air Battle Management System allowing for persistent surveillance of Australia,” WGCDR Wildermuth said.

“Our approximately 150 personnel provide the ADF with situational awareness and air battle management to protect Australia and its national interests at home and abroad.”

Commanding Officer Wing Commander Matt Walsh, No. 26 Squadron commented on the operational history of the Squadron as an Active Reserve squadron.

“Officially named ‘City of Newcastle’ Squadron by the Lord Mayor, No. 26 Squadron was formed at RAAF Base Williamtown on 1 July 1981 as an Active Reserve squadron to support Williamtown air base and RAAF operations,” WGCDR Walsh said.

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“In contrast to the traditional 'one weekend a month and annual camps' model of Reserve Units in the ’60s and ’70s, the squadron was established to provide support seven days a week.

“Today, No. 26 Squadron’s mission is vastly different from that of a Reserve Squadron: it is now Williamtown’s Airbase Operations Squadron with over 250 Air Force and Australian Public Service personnel, responsible for providing sustained and coordinated support for air and ground operations.”

[Related: RAAF reinstates No. 100 Squadron]

Liam Garman

Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Liam began his career as a speech writer at New South Wales Parliament before working for world leading campaigns and research agencies in Sydney and Auckland. Throughout his career, Liam has managed and executed international media and communications campaigns spanning politics, business, industrial relations and infrastructure. He’s since shifted his attention to researching and writing extensively on geopolitics and defence. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney and a Masters in Strategy and Security with Excellence from UNSW Canberra, with a thesis on post-truth, postmodernism and disinformation operations.

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