No. 11 Squadron RAAF
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| 11SQN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Service | RAAF | ||
| FEG | Surveillance & Response Group | ||
| Parent Unit | 92 Wing | ||
| Motto | Shepherd or Destroy | ||
| Formed | March 1939 | ||
| Base | RAAF Base Edinburgh | ||
| Aircraft | P-3C Orion | ||
| Callsign | SHEPHERD | ||
No. 11 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron based at RAAF Base Edinburgh. The Squadron was first formed in 1939 and has seen active service in World War II, East Timor, the War on Terrorism and the 2003 Gulf War.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Second World War
No. 11 Squadron was formed in September 1939 at RAAF Base Richmond. The Squadron was deployed to Port Moresby in New Guinea later that year where it monitored Japanese shipping movements in the region. The Squadron was re-equipped with Catalina aircraft in 1941.
Upon the outbreak of war No. 11 Squadron flew patrol missions across the South West Pacific area. While the Squadron was withdrawn to RAAF Base Rathmines on Lake Macquarie in New South Wales following the Japanese air attacks on Port Moresby in March 1942, it continued to carry out patrols in the waters around New Guinea. In early March 1943 aircraft from No. 11 Squadron took part in the surveillance of the Japanese convoy which was destroyed in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.
In 1943 No. 11 Squadron began conducting offensive mine-laying operations. These operations continued until the end of the war. The Squadron's most spectacular mine-laying achievement was the mining of Manila harbour in late 1944, which required 3 aircraft to fly over 14,500 kilometres in the RAAF's longest mission of the war. No. 11 Squadron was disbanded in 1946.
One of the most historically significant events during the Second World War in No. 11 Squadron's (and indeed the RAAF's) history resulted in the roundel that we see on RAAF aircraft today. The RAAF had adopted the roundel of the RAF, that is, a solid red circule surrounded by a blue ring. During an operation in Pacific Theatre, a US Navy Wildcat mistook a No. 11 Squadron Catalina to be a Japanese aircraft, seeing only the red circle. From this event resulted the decision to adopt the current roundel, consisting of the same blue ring, surrounding a red kangaroo in motion.
[edit] Post 1945
No. 11 Squadron was re-formed at RAAF Base Pearce in 1948. Operating modified Lincoln heavy bombers the Squadron conducted patrols over the Indian Ocean. No. 11 Squadron was re-equipped with Neptune aircraft in 1951 and the Squadron relocated to RAAF Base Richmond in 1953.
In 1968 No. 11 Squadron relocated to RAAF Base Edinburgh where it was re-equipped with P-3B Orion aircraft. These aircraft were replaced with P-3C Orions in 1986. No. 11 Squadron continues to operate in the maritime patrol and surveillance roles.
[edit] Aircraft operated
- Short Empire (1939-1941)
- Supermarine Seagull (1939-1941)
- Consolidated Catalina (1941-1946)
- Avro Lincoln (1948-1951)
- Lockheed P2V-7S Neptune (1951-1968)
- Lockheed P-3B Orion (1968-1986)
- Lockheed P-3C Orion (1986- )
[edit] References
Note: The two Squadron histories listed below give different dates for several key events in No. 11 Squadron's history. This article has used the dates provided on the official RAAF website.
- RAAF Museum RAAF 11 Squadron
- 11 Squadron Official Website
| Royal Australian Air Force flying squadrons | |
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| RAAF Units Under Australian Operational Control
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| RAAF Units Under RAF Operational Control During WWII
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| Joint RAAF-Netherlands East Indies Squadrons |
