No. 1 Airfield Defence Squadron RAAF
Encyclopedia
No 1 Airfield Defence Squadron (1AFDS) is an Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) military unit whose primary role is to protect and defend airfields, buildings, equipment, and personnel.
, Northern Territory
, Australia
. All guards at operational bases, advanced operational bases, radio stations and non-operational units were assigned to this Unit from 5 October 1942. Their role was to provide personnel to defend airfields and there assets
SGU was relocated to Nightcliff on 13 June 1943 and saw operational service during World War 2 in support of units throughout the South Pacific theater of war. Of particular note is services rendered by Special Task Force that served under command Z Force, two members of which 1AFDS were later awarded MBE's
. SGU was renamed No 1 Airfield Defence Squadron on 1 April 1945 but was disbanded on 19 November 1945 following the cessation of hostilities. The musterings that served in the Squadron were Airfield Defence Officers (ADO), Aerodrome Defence Instructors (ADI), and Guards.
The SGU provided administration and standardised the training of security guards and a mobile body of guards that would be available that could defend the bases against Japanese attacks.
On 23 September 1945, the unit was moved to Winnellie, Northern Territory
and was disbanded on 19 November 1945. 1AFDS Reformed at RAAF Base Mallala
, South Australia
in 1950, to provide training to National Service personnel in airfield defence duties. Renamed No. 1 Aerodrome Defence Squadron (1AFDS) on 25 June 1951 and was disbanded in March 1953.
The unit was again reformed on 1 July 1992 at RAAF Base Tindal
, Northern Territory. Initially formed to provide the training under the Ready Reserve Scheme, however, this was amended to the ground defence, protection and security of RAAF installations, assets, facilities and personnel on 30 June 1992.
On 1 January 1999, 1AFDS relocated to RAAF Base Edinburgh
, South Australia.
16 Reserve Airfield Defence Guards from 1AFDS deployed on Operation Warden/Stabilise in East Timor
under the command of 2AFDS
.
In 2010 1 AFDS moves to RAAF base Amberley and expands to full-time service members working with reserve flights, and is active in conjunction with 2 AFDS
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) military unit whose primary role is to protect and defend airfields, buildings, equipment, and personnel.
Crest
The squadron's crest comprises a crossed rifle and sword surmounted by a crocodile. The crocodile is symbolic in that it aggressively defends its territory against all intruders and can strike quickly to disable any aggressor. The symbolism of the crocodile aligns with the protective role of Airfield Defence Guards and the aggressive patrolling and decisive actions performed providing security to otherwise vulnerable air bases.History
Formed on 1 October 1942, as Security Guard Unit RAAF (SGU) at Livingstone AirfieldLivingstone Airfield
Livingstone Airfield was an airfield at Livingstone, Northern Territory, Australia during World War II.The airfield was built by the 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion, less Company A and HQ Detachment, between 16 March 1942 until 13 April 1942. The runway was long and wide...
, Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. All guards at operational bases, advanced operational bases, radio stations and non-operational units were assigned to this Unit from 5 October 1942. Their role was to provide personnel to defend airfields and there assets
SGU was relocated to Nightcliff on 13 June 1943 and saw operational service during World War 2 in support of units throughout the South Pacific theater of war. Of particular note is services rendered by Special Task Force that served under command Z Force, two members of which 1AFDS were later awarded MBE's
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. SGU was renamed No 1 Airfield Defence Squadron on 1 April 1945 but was disbanded on 19 November 1945 following the cessation of hostilities. The musterings that served in the Squadron were Airfield Defence Officers (ADO), Aerodrome Defence Instructors (ADI), and Guards.
The SGU provided administration and standardised the training of security guards and a mobile body of guards that would be available that could defend the bases against Japanese attacks.
On 23 September 1945, the unit was moved to Winnellie, Northern Territory
Winnellie, Northern Territory
Winnellie is a Northern suburb of Darwin, Northern Territory, in the Northern Territory of Australia.-History:Winnellie is an industrial suburb to the south of Darwin International Airport. The name came the 'Winnellie Camp' formed there by the Army in 1941...
and was disbanded on 19 November 1945. 1AFDS Reformed at RAAF Base Mallala
RAAF Base Mallala
RAAF Base Mallala was a Royal Australian Air Force base located at Mallala, South Australia.-History:The base was built in 1941 as the home of No. 6 Service Flying Training School during World War II...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
in 1950, to provide training to National Service personnel in airfield defence duties. Renamed No. 1 Aerodrome Defence Squadron (1AFDS) on 25 June 1951 and was disbanded in March 1953.
The unit was again reformed on 1 July 1992 at RAAF Base Tindal
RAAF Base Tindal
RAAF Base Tindal is a Royal Australian Air Force air base located near the town of Katherine in the Northern Territory. The base is currently home to No...
, Northern Territory. Initially formed to provide the training under the Ready Reserve Scheme, however, this was amended to the ground defence, protection and security of RAAF installations, assets, facilities and personnel on 30 June 1992.
On 1 January 1999, 1AFDS relocated to RAAF Base Edinburgh
RAAF Base Edinburgh
RAAF Base Edinburgh is located in Edinburgh, 25km north of the centre of Adelaide.It is primarily home to No 92 Wing's AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft that conduct surveillance operations throughout Australia's airspace....
, South Australia.
16 Reserve Airfield Defence Guards from 1AFDS deployed on Operation Warden/Stabilise in East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
under the command of 2AFDS
No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron RAAF
No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron is an Australian military unit whose primary role is to protect and defend airfields, buildings, equipment, and personnel.-Crest:...
.
In 2010 1 AFDS moves to RAAF base Amberley and expands to full-time service members working with reserve flights, and is active in conjunction with 2 AFDS
No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron RAAF
No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron is an Australian military unit whose primary role is to protect and defend airfields, buildings, equipment, and personnel.-Crest:...
Structure
- Headquarters
- Rifle Flights x 3
- Quick Reaction Force Flight
- Cadre Flights x 1
- Support Flight
- GRDefRG PTS Flights - Based in Western AustraliaWestern AustraliaWestern Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, South Australia, VictoriaVictoria (Australia)Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, and TasmaniaTasmaniaTasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
.