Berlin Airlift Squadron RAAF
Encyclopedia
The Berlin Airlift Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force
transport squadron formed to participate in the Berlin Airlift. The Australian contribution to the airlift, from September 1948, was designated Operation Pelican.
It was formed at RAAF Richmond
in August 1948 from Dakota crews drawn from No. 36
and No. 38
squadrons. In late August the crews travelled to the United Kingdom as passengers in Qantas
flying boats.
After receiving training in the UK the aircrew moved to Lübeck
, West Germany
on 14 and 15 September, with the first Australian flight into Berlin occurring on 15 September.
Australian aircrew undertook Berlin Airlift missions until 26 August 1950, when the 2062nd and last flight was completed. The Berlin Airlift Squadron returned to Australia on 24 October 1949.
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
transport squadron formed to participate in the Berlin Airlift. The Australian contribution to the airlift, from September 1948, was designated Operation Pelican.
It was formed at RAAF Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
in August 1948 from Dakota crews drawn from No. 36
No. 36 Squadron RAAF
No. 36 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It currently operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley. The Squadron has seen active service flying transport aircraft during World War II, the Berlin Airlift, Korean War, Vietnam War and the invasion of Iraq...
and No. 38
No. 38 Squadron RAAF
No. 38 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. The Squadron was formed in 1943 and saw active service in the Second World War, Korean War and Malayan Emergency. No. 38 Squadron has also supported Australian peacekeeping operations around the world including in Kashmir and East...
squadrons. In late August the crews travelled to the United Kingdom as passengers in Qantas
Qantas
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport...
flying boats.
After receiving training in the UK the aircrew moved to Lübeck
Lübeck
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the second-largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany, and one of the major ports of Germany. It was for several centuries the "capital" of the Hanseatic League and, because of its Brick Gothic architectural heritage, is listed by UNESCO as a World...
, West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
on 14 and 15 September, with the first Australian flight into Berlin occurring on 15 September.
Australian aircrew undertook Berlin Airlift missions until 26 August 1950, when the 2062nd and last flight was completed. The Berlin Airlift Squadron returned to Australia on 24 October 1949.