No 27 (City of Townsville) Squadron
Role
The Royal Australian Air Force's No 27 (City of Townsville) Squadron's primary role consists of support, recruiting and training. The squadron's aim is to provide competent and qualified personnel to fill vacancies within the Air Force. The supplementing of vacancies within our own ranks and that of the permanent forces is maintained via a continual training doctrine. The training/working role is maintained to augment present and future backfilling requirements.
Today the diversity of No 27 Squadron permits the support of many areas within RAAF Base Townsville and the Air Force in general. In Townsville, Air Force Reserve members support:
- No 44 Wing with Air Traffic Controllers
- No 395 Wing with operations and development personnel
- No 323 Squadron with airfield fire fighters, security and aircraft refueling specialists
- No 1 Airfield Operations Support Squadron with logistic specialists
- No 38 Squadron with aircraft maintenance crews.
RAAF Base Townsville support includes Environmental Health, Medical and Security Section via Airfield Defence Guards, Security Police and Security Dog Handlers. Reservists also assist No 92 Wing with maritime operations in northern Australia and the deployment of medical specialist's in South-East Asian operations. A radio network has been set up and is monitored by Reserve members as a safety screen to oversee participants of the Combat Survival Training School.
History
During 1939 consideration was given to the formation at Townsville of a Citizens Air Force Squadron, as the RAAF Active Reserve (RAAFAR) was then known. This proposal did not come to fruition and it was not until 1 July 1981, that No 27 (City of Townsville) Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force Active Reserve was formed.
Headquarters No 27 Squadron was formed with three Permanent Air Force personnel with an initial charter to formulate establishment requirements and commence recruiting suitably qualified ex-Permanent Air Force personnel and direct entry civilians with an interest in the RAAF Active Reserve.
In the first year of operation, some 60 members were enlisted. The Squadron now has an establishment in excess of 100 personnel who are both Reservist and Permanent Air Force. RAAFAR personnel are employed in over 50 occupations and work alongside Permanent Air Force personnel during everyday work situations, weekend activities, or in operational roles.
The Unit Badge for No 27 (City of Townsville) Squadron was given Royal approval in 1988. The Badge, which is surrounded by the standard form for RAAF unit badges, embodies a Brahminy Kite aloft and hovering with a castle of four towers behind. Brahminy Kites are found on and about the Townsville Common bordering the airfield on which the Unit is based and the castle is in reference to Castle Hill, a dominant feature centrally located and overlooking the City of Townsville. To aptly portray the Unit Motto, "In Readiness", the Kite is set "aloft and hovering" with the four towers behind.
In 1991, No 27 Squadron was granted the Freedom of the City of Townsville which gives the Squadron to right to march through the City of Townsville with Swords Drawn, Bayonets Fixed, Drums Beating, Bands Playing and Colours Flying.
No 27 Squadron also participates in the ANZAC Day parade in the City of Townsville and more recently has provided the Catafalque Party and Guard of Honour at a dedication to RAAF airmen involved in the Warsaw airdrops.
As an integral part of the Squadrons training activities, personnel have deployed to Cape York on two separate occasions as well as numerous local deployments in the Charters Towers, High Range and Cowley Beach areas. Squadron personnel also become heavily involved in Base exercises and in support of the ADF in major exercises and deployments.
Contact
No 27 Squadron
RAAF Base Townsville
Townsville QLD 4810
