Linda Corbould
Encyclopedia
Wing Commander
Linda Mary Corbould OAM
(1963 – ) is an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) and the first woman to command a RAAF flying squadron.
' and was subsequently posted to No 36 Squadron
and flew C-130 Hercules
transport aircraft. Corbould served as deputy commander of the C-130 Hercules detachment which formed part of the Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq
and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for planning and commanding a flight into Baghdad
on the night of 12/13 April 2003.
In 2006, Wing Commander Corbould oversaw the RAAF’s program to accept the C-17 Globemaster III
strategic transport aircraft. She assumed command of No. 36 Squadron RAAF
on 17 November 2006 and delivered the RAAF's first C-17 from the United States to Australia on 4 December 2006. Corbould completed her posting as commander of the squadron on 8 December 2008. On this day she also led the RAAF's first all-female aircrew during a training flight.
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
Linda Mary Corbould OAM
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(1963 – ) is an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force
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...
(RAAF) and the first woman to command a RAAF flying squadron.
Biography
Linda Corbould was raised in Tasmania, Australia and joined the RAAF in 1981. As women could not become pilots in the RAAF at the time, she served as an air traffic controller until 1990 when pilot training was opened up to women. Corbould became the third female member of the RAAF to gain her 'wingsAircrew brevet
An aircrew brevet is the badge worn on the left breast, above any medal ribbons, by qualified aircrew in the Royal Air Force, British Army, Indian Air Force, Canadian Forces, Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, South African Air Force and Sri Lanka Air...
' and was subsequently posted to No 36 Squadron
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 flew C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
transport aircraft. Corbould served as deputy commander of the C-130 Hercules detachment which formed part of the Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq
Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq
The Howard Government supported the disarmament of Iraq during the Iraq disarmament crisis. Australia later provided one of the four most substantial combat force contingents during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, under the operational codename Operation Falconer. Part of its contingent were among the...
and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for planning and commanding a flight into Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
on the night of 12/13 April 2003.
In 2006, Wing Commander Corbould oversaw the RAAF’s program to accept the C-17 Globemaster III
C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
strategic transport aircraft. She assumed command of No. 36 Squadron RAAF
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...
on 17 November 2006 and delivered the RAAF's first C-17 from the United States to Australia on 4 December 2006. Corbould completed her posting as commander of the squadron on 8 December 2008. On this day she also led the RAAF's first all-female aircrew during a training flight.