Can you believe that No. 75 Squadron just commemorated 80 years of Operational Service? No. 75 Squadron has been awarded nine battle honours for distinguished conduct during war-time operations, and a Meritorious Unit Citation for outstanding service in the Middle East during Operation Falconer.
In commemorating 80 years of operational service, No. 75 Squadron celebrated with a F-35A Lightning II display, Squadron Standards consecration parade, and sunset dinner.
Wing Commander Parker said the day was a fitting tribute to the squadron’s extensive history.
Also in Attendance at this event was former 75 Squadron member and current Cairns RSL Sub Branch Board Director Neil Turnbull. Neil was posted to No. 75 Squadron twice during his 20-year career in the Royal Australian Airforce. Neil says that his time with No. 75 Squadron was a highlight in his career.
“As every proud aviator who has served at No. 75 Squadron will say – once a magpie, always a magpie.”
Since the end of World War 2, No. 75 Squadron has flown an array of aircraft including the Mustang, Wirraway, Vampire, Meteor, Sabre, and Mirage, and operated from a variety of locations such as Williamtown, Malta, England, Germany, Malaysia and Darwin.
Finally making RAAF Base Tindal home, No. 75 Squadron was equipped with the F/A-18A/B Hornet from 1988 and was the last squadron to operate the iconic aircraft before it was retired in December 2021.
A brief overview of No.75 Squadron
No. 75 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fighter unit based at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. The squadron was formed in 1942 and crested with the Australian Magpie and motto ‘Seek and Strike’.
The squadron saw extensive action in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II, operating P-40 Kittyhawks. It was disbanded in 1948 but reformed the following year and operated jet aircraft throughout the Cold War. The squadron was based in Malta from 1952 to 1954, and Malaysia from 1968 to 1983, before returning to Australia.
The squadron was re-equipped with F/A-18 Hornet fighters and moved to RAAF Base Tindal in 1988. It was placed on alert to support the Australian-led INTERFET peacekeeping deployment to East Timor in 1999, and saw combat in 2003 as part of the Australian contribution to the invasion of Iraq and in 2015 during the military intervention against ISIL.
