76 Sqn

Shortly after forming in Queensland in March 1942, 76 Squadron Kittyhawks deployed to Milne Bay to confront the ad
vancing Japanese. On 24 August, the Japanese invaded Milne Bay. The following battle for Milne Bay was to become one of the most significant battles in the South West Pacific and represents the first land defeat of Japanese forces in the War. The two week battle saw 76 Squadron Kittyhawks flying bombing and strafing operations in support of the desperate Australian diggers - who were slowly but inexorably being pushed back towards the RAAF airstrips.

Having played a vital part in the Australian victory, an exhausted 76 Squadron withdrew to Australia where it re-grouped at Potshot, Western Australia in 1943. Sadly, it was while the squadron was based at Potshot, that it lost one of its most colourful officers and the RAAF's second highest scoring ace pilot, when Squadron Leader Truscott was killed in a flying accident.

After being re-equipped with new Kittyhawks in May, the squadron returned to combat operations at Goodenough Island - to the north of New Guinea. A succession of moves saw the squadron operating from a number of Pacific Island bases, until its final wartime deployment to Labuan - where the Squadron supported the invasion of Borneo.

After the war, 76 Squadron was re-equipped with Mustangs and deployed to Japan for duty with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. On its return to Australia in 1948, 76 Squadron pilots converted to Vampire jet fighters, before deploying to Malta in 1952 to join NATO forces in the Mediterranean area. From 1960, 76 Squadron was based at RAAF Williamtown New South Wales operating Australian-built Sabres. In 1966 the squadron entered the supersonic age when it began operations with the French designed/Australian built Mirage.

The squadron's fighter role came to an end with the replacement of the Mirage by the Macchi jet trainer in 1989. This aircraft provides jet experience for pilots selected for duty with the RAAF Hornet squadrons. In addition to its training role, 76 Squadron also operated specially converted PC-9 aircraft in forward air control operations.

On 1 January 1989, No 76 Squadron, one of the Royal Australian Air Force's most famous fighting squadrons, reformed at RAAF Base Williamtown. Although it distinguished itself during World War II as a premier fighter squadron, its current operational role is to conduct Introductory Fighter Training, Fleet Support and Close Air Support. To fulfil these roles the
squadron operates the Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter and is organised into two flights - Training Flight and Operations Flight.