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{{Use Australian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = No. 10 Squadron RAAF
| unit_name = No. 10 Squadron RAAF
| image = File:No. 10 Squadron RAAF crest.jpg
| image = File:No. 10 Squadron RAAF crest.jpg
| image_size = 120px
| image_size = 120px
| caption = No. 10 Squadron's crest
| caption = No. 10 Squadron's crest
| dates = 1939–1945<br/>1949–current
| dates = 1939–1945<br/>1949–current
| country = Australia
| country = Australia
⚫
| branch = [[Royal Australian Air Force]]
| allegiance =
| type =
⚫
| branch = [[Royal Australian Air Force]]
| role = [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance]] [[Electronic Warfare]]
| type =
⚫
| command_structure = [[No. 92 Wing RAAF|No. 92 Wing]]
| role = [[Maritime patrol]]
⚫
| garrison = [[RAAF Base Edinburgh]]
| size =
⚫
| garrison_label = Base
⚫
| command_structure = [[No. 42 Wing RAAF|No. 42 Wing]]
| nickname =
⚫
| garrison = [[RAAF Base Edinburgh]]
| patron =
⚫
| garrison_label = Base
⚫
| motto = "Strike First"
| nickname =
| colors =
| patron =
⚫
| colors_label =
⚫
| motto = "Strike First"
| march =
| colors =
| mascot =
⚫
| colors_label =
⚫
| equipment =
| march =
⚫
| equipment_label =
| mascot =
⚫
| battles = [[World War II]]<br/>[[International Force for East Timor|East Timor]]<br/>[[Operation Catalyst|Iraq]]<br/>[[Operation Slipper|Afghanistan]]
⚫
| equipment =
⚫
| anniversaries =
⚫
| equipment_label =
⚫
| decorations =
⚫
| battles = [[World War II]]<br/>[[International Force for East Timor|East Timor]]<br/>[[Operation Catalyst|Iraq]]<br/>[[Operation Slipper|Afghanistan]]
⚫
| battle_honours = Atlantic 1939–1945,<br/>Biscay 1940–1945,<br/>Mediterranean 1940–1943,<br/>Biscay Ports 1940–1945,<br/>{{nowrap|English Channel and North Sea 1939–1945,}}<br/>Bismarck,<br/>Normandy 1944<ref name="AWM">{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11037.asp|title= 10 Squadron RAAF |publisher=[[Australian War Memorial]]|access-date=15 December 2007}}</ref>
⚫
| anniversaries =
⚫
<!-- Commanders -->| commander1 =
⚫
| decorations =
⚫
| commander1_label =
⚫
| battle_honours = Atlantic 1939–1945,<br/>Biscay 1940–1945,<br/>Mediterranean 1940–1943,<br/>Biscay Ports 1940–1945,<br/>{{nowrap|English Channel and North Sea 1939–1945,}}<br/>Bismarck,<br/>Normandy 1944<ref name="AWM">{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11037.asp|title= 10 Squadron RAAF |publisher=[[Australian War Memorial]]|accessdate=15 December 2007}}</ref>
⚫
| notable_commanders = [[William Brill (RAAF officer)|William Brill]] (1949–1950)<ref>RAAF Historical Section, ''Units of the Royal Australian Air Force'', p.15</ref><br>[[Marija Jovanovich]] (2020–2023)
⚫
<!-- Commanders -->| commander1 =
⚫
<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_attack =
⚫
| commander1_label =
⚫
| aircraft_bomber =
⚫
| notable_commanders = [[William Brill (RAAF officer)|William Brill]] (1949–1950)<ref>RAAF Historical Section, ''Units of the Royal Australian Air Force'', p.15</ref>
⚫
| aircraft_electronic =
⚫
<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_attack =
⚫
| aircraft_fighter =
⚫
| aircraft_bomber =
⚫
| aircraft_patrol =
⚫
| aircraft_electronic =
| aircraft_recon = [[MC-55A Peregrine]] (2023-24)
⚫
| aircraft_fighter =
⚫
| aircraft_trainer =
| aircraft_helicopter =
⚫
| aircraft_transport =
| aircraft_interceptor =
⚫
| aircraft_patrol = [[AP-3C Orion]]
| aircraft_recon =
⚫
| aircraft_trainer =
⚫
| aircraft_transport =
}}
}}
'''No. 10 Squadron''' is a [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) maritime patrol squadron based at [[RAAF Base Edinburgh]], South Australia, is part of [[No. 42 Wing RAAF]]. The squadron was formed in 1939 and saw active service during the Second World War, conducting anti-submarine operations and patrols from bases in the United Kingdom until it disbanded in late 1945. It was re-formed in Australia in 1949 and since then has contributed to Australia's [[East Timor]] intervention, and has been deployed to the Middle East as part of the [[War on Terrorism]] and the [[Iraq War|2003 Gulf War]].
'''No. 10 Squadron''' is a [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) [[signals intelligence|signals intelligence (SIGINT)]] squadron based at [[RAAF Base Edinburgh]], South Australia. It is part of [[No. 92 Wing RAAF]]. The squadron was formed in 1939 as a maritime patrol unit. It saw active service during the Second World War, conducting anti-submarine operations and patrols from bases in the United Kingdom until it disbanded in late 1945. It was re-formed in Australia in 1949 and since then has contributed to Australia's [[East Timor]] intervention, and has been deployed to the Middle East as part of the [[War on Terrorism]] and the [[Iraq War|2003 Gulf War]]. Most recently it now has a [[signals intelligence]] mission.


==History==
==History==
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[[File:10 Sqn (AWM 042259).jpg|thumb|left|No. 10 Squadron Sunderland sets out on patrol in 1941]]
[[File:10 Sqn (AWM 042259).jpg|thumb|left|No. 10 Squadron Sunderland sets out on patrol in 1941]]
⚫
The squadron's major tasks during the war were escorting convoys, conducting anti-submarine patrols, and air-sea rescue. It sank its first [[U-boat]] on 1 July 1940.<ref name="Stephens"/> Operating mainly from bases in southern Britain such as [[RAF Mount Batten]] in [[Plymouth]],<ref name="Short Aircraft Since 1900">Barnes and James, ''Short Aircraft Since 1900'', p.338</ref> the unit flew missions as far afield as [[RAF Oban|Oban]] in Scotland, where a detachment was based between late 1940 and mid-1940,<ref name=Barnes65>Barnes, ''The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons'', p. 65</ref> and [[Malta]] and [[Gibraltar]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAAF/10_wwII.html |title=No. 10 Squadron (RAAF): Second World War |publisher=History of War.org |access-date=10 October 2013}}</ref>
[[File:U-71 Luftangriff.jpg|thumb|left|''U-71'' under attack on 5 June 1942 from a Sunderland of [[No. 10 Squadron RAAF]].]]
[[File:U-boat Warfare 1939-1945 C4081.jpg|thumb|left|U-426 a Type VIIC submarine, down by the stern and sinking, 8 January 1944 after attacks from a Sunderland of [[No. 10 Squadron RAAF]].]]

⚫
The squadron's major tasks during the war were escorting convoys, conducting anti-submarine patrols, and air-sea rescue. It sank its first [[U-boat]] on 1 July 1940.<ref name="Stephens"/> Operating mainly from bases in southern Britain such as [[RAF Mount Batten]] in [[Plymouth]],<ref name="Short Aircraft Since 1900">Barnes and James, ''Short Aircraft Since 1900'', p.338</ref> the unit flew missions as far afield as [[RAF Oban|Oban]] in Scotland, where a detachment was based between late 1940 and mid-1940,<ref name=Barnes65>Barnes, ''The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons'', p. 65</ref> and [[Malta]] and [[Gibraltar]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAAF/10_wwII.html |title=No. 10 Squadron (RAAF): Second World War |publisher=History of War.org |accessdate=10 October 2013}}</ref>


No. 10 Squadron sank a total of six U-boats between February 1940 and May 1945. It also set a [[Coastal Command]] record in February 1944 for the most patrol hours flown in a single month: 1143.<ref name="AWM"/> The unit lost 19 aircraft during the war,<ref name="Stephens"/> most of which, according to author Norman Barnes, are thought to have been shot down by long range German fighter aircraft.<ref name=Barnes66>Barnes, ''The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons'', p. 66</ref> In June 1945, the squadron ceased operations as part of Coastal Command and a reorganisation of RAAF units in Britain resulted in [[No. 466 Squadron RAAF]] being redesignated as No. 10 Squadron and moving to [[RAF Bassingbourn|Bassingbourn]], in Cambridgeshire.<ref name=Barnes66/> Following the end of hostilities in Europe, No. 10 Squadron began preparations to deploy to the [[Pacific War|Pacific Theatre]]; however, this was curtailed by the Japanese surrender and it remained in Britain, disbanding on 26 October 1945.<ref name="Stephens"/> Wartime casualties amounted to 161 personnel killed.<ref name="AWM"/>
No. 10 Squadron sank a total of six U-boats between February 1940 and May 1945. It also set a [[Coastal Command]] record in February 1944 for the most patrol hours flown in a single month: 1143.<ref name="AWM"/> The unit lost 19 aircraft during the war,<ref name="Stephens"/> most of which, according to author Norman Barnes, are thought to have been shot down by long range German fighter aircraft.<ref name=Barnes66>Barnes, ''The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons'', p. 66</ref> In June 1945, the squadron ceased operations as part of Coastal Command and a reorganisation of RAAF units in Britain resulted in [[No. 466 Squadron RAAF]] being redesignated as No. 10 Squadron and moving to [[RAF Bassingbourn|Bassingbourn]], in Cambridgeshire.<ref name=Barnes66/> Following the end of hostilities in Europe, No. 10 Squadron began preparations to deploy to the [[Pacific War|Pacific Theatre]]; however, this was curtailed by the Japanese surrender and it remained in Britain, disbanding on 26 October 1945.<ref name="Stephens"/> Wartime casualties amounted to 161 personnel killed.<ref name="AWM"/>
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No. 10 Squadron was re-formed at [[RAAF Base Townsville|Townsville]] on 1 March 1949 to increase the RAAF's reconnaissance capability. Operating modified [[Avro Lincoln|Lincoln]] heavy bombers the squadron conducted maritime and anti-submarine patrols over northern Australia and the South Pacific. In June 1950, a detachment from the squadron was sent to Darwin to carry out search and rescue duties.<ref>Barnes, ''The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons'', pp. 66–67</ref> The squadron continued in this role after re-equipping with [[P-2 Neptune|Neptune]] aircraft in March 1962, and the longer range of the Neptune allowed the squadron to operate over South East Asia and the Central Pacific in an area that was equal to "one tenth of the world's surface".<ref name=Eather44>Eather, ''Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force'', p. 44.</ref>
No. 10 Squadron was re-formed at [[RAAF Base Townsville|Townsville]] on 1 March 1949 to increase the RAAF's reconnaissance capability. Operating modified [[Avro Lincoln|Lincoln]] heavy bombers the squadron conducted maritime and anti-submarine patrols over northern Australia and the South Pacific. In June 1950, a detachment from the squadron was sent to Darwin to carry out search and rescue duties.<ref>Barnes, ''The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons'', pp. 66–67</ref> The squadron continued in this role after re-equipping with [[P-2 Neptune|Neptune]] aircraft in March 1962, and the longer range of the Neptune allowed the squadron to operate over South East Asia and the Central Pacific in an area that was equal to "one tenth of the world's surface".<ref name=Eather44>Eather, ''Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force'', p. 44.</ref>


During the [[Vietnam War]], Neptune aircraft from No. 10 Squadron operating from [[U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield]] supported US Air Force [[B-52]] bombing missions on an opportunity basis whilst transiting Thai airspace, using their AN/APS-120 radar to provide early warning of surface-to-air missiles.<ref>Coulthard-Clark, ''The RAAF in Vietnam'', p. 92.</ref> The Neptune's electronic equipment was also used during the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation]] in the mid-1960s to monitor Indonesian radars.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series2/A89.htm|title=A89 Lockheed Neptune|publisher= [[RAAF Museum]]|accessdate=21 September 2014}}</ref> For a six-month period between June 1968 and January 1969, the squadron was commanded by a US naval officer, Lieutenant Commander J.A. Mueller.<ref name=Barnes68>Barnes, ''The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons'', p. 68</ref>
During the [[Vietnam War]], Neptune aircraft from No. 10 Squadron operating from [[U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield]] supported US Air Force [[B-52]] bombing missions on an opportunity basis whilst transiting Thai airspace, using their AN/APS-120 radar to provide early warning of surface-to-air missiles.<ref>Coulthard-Clark, ''The RAAF in Vietnam'', p. 92.</ref> The Neptune's electronic equipment was also used during the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation]] in the mid-1960s to monitor Indonesian radars.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series2/A89.htm|title=A89 Lockheed Neptune|publisher= [[RAAF Museum]]|access-date=21 September 2014}}</ref> For a six-month period between June 1968 and January 1969, the squadron was commanded by a US naval officer, Lieutenant Commander J.A. Mueller.<ref name=Barnes68>Barnes, ''The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons'', p. 68</ref>

⚫
Throughout 1978–79, No. 10 Squadron was re-equipped with [[P-3C Orion]] aircraft and relocated to [[RAAF Base Edinburgh]] in [[South Australia]].<ref name=Eather44/> With the similarly equipped [[No. 11 Squadron RAAF|No. 11 Squadron]], No. 10 Squadron continued to operate in the maritime patrol, surveillance and anti-shipping roles.<ref name=Eather44/><ref name=museum>{{cite web |url=http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/units/10sqn.htm |title=No 10 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force |publisher=RAAF Museum |access-date=8 May 2012}}</ref>

⚫
Since the 1980s, No. 10 Squadron has contributed to the RAAF maritime patrol detachment based at [[Butterworth Air Base]] in Malaysia as part of [[Operation Gateway]].<ref name=Eather44/> More recently, it supported the [[INTERFET|Australian-led intervention]] into [[East Timor]] in 1999,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/east_timor/raaf/ |author=Gilbert, Gregory |title=RAAF Units in East Timor |publisher=Australian War Memorial |access-date=10 October 2013}}</ref> and contributed to the Australian maritime patrol detachment based in the [[Persian Gulf]] since 2003. In this role the squadron supported coalition operations in [[Operation Slipper|Afghanistan]] and [[Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq|Iraq]], and undertaken border protection duties as part of [[Operation Resolute]]. In 2018, 10 Squadron was assigned to [[No. 42 Wing RAAF]], where it continued to operate two AP-3C(EW) Orions in an electronic warfare role.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/news-and-events/news/10-squadron-orions-transfer-42-wing|title=10 Squadron Orions transfer to 42 Wing|author=Royal Australian Air Force|date=2019-06-18|website=www.airforce.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2019-10-22}}</ref>

In December 2020 Wing Commander [[Marija Jovanovich]] assumed command of the squadron, becoming the third woman to lead a RAAF flying squadron. No. 10 Squadron became the first RAAF flying squadron to simultaneously have a female commanding officer and a female executive officer in 2021, when Squadron Leader Jenna Higgins took up the role.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghodsi |first1=Roya |title=Air Force's ISREW specialists |url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/defence/air/air-force-s-isrew-specialists |access-date=13 March 2022 |work=Australian Defence Magazine |date=13 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref>


The two AP-3C(EW) Orion electronic warfare aircraft flew their final mission in December 2023 and the type has been retired from service. They are being replaced by four [[MC-55A Peregrine]] ISREW / SIGINT / ELINT aircraft, due to enter service in 2023-24.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adbr.com.au/feature-peregrine/|title=Feature: PEREGRINE |work= ADBR |author=McLaughlin, Andrew |date=20 March 2020 |access-date=7 August 2020}}</ref> Upon the retirement of the AP-3C(EW), 10 Squadron was re-assigned to [[No. 92 Wing RAAF]].
⚫
Throughout 1978–79, No. 10 Squadron was re-equipped with [[P-3C Orion]] aircraft and relocated to [[RAAF Base Edinburgh]] in [[South Australia]].<ref name=Eather44/> With the similarly equipped [[No. 11 Squadron RAAF|No. 11 Squadron]], No. 10 Squadron continues to operate in the maritime patrol, surveillance and anti-shipping roles.<ref name=Eather44/><ref name=museum>{{cite web |url=http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/units/10sqn.htm |title=No 10 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force |publisher=RAAF Museum |accessdate=8 May 2012}}</ref>


According to 2020 parliamentary reports, forward-operating bases located at RAAF bases at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Townsville and Darwin will enable the MC-55A, based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, to "project into Australia's area of interest".
⚫
Since the 1980s, No. 10 Squadron has contributed to the RAAF maritime patrol detachment based at [[Butterworth Air Base]] in Malaysia as part of [[Operation Gateway]].<ref name=Eather44/> More recently, it supported the [[INTERFET|Australian-led intervention]] into [[East Timor]] in 1999,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/east_timor/raaf/ |author=Gilbert, Gregory |title=RAAF Units in East Timor |publisher=Australian War Memorial |accessdate=10 October 2013}}</ref> and has contributed to the Australian maritime patrol detachment based in the [[Persian Gulf]] since 2003. In this role the squadron has supported coalition operations in [[Operation Slipper|Afghanistan]] and [[Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq|Iraq]], and undertaken border protection duties as part of [[Operation Resolute]]. It is currently assigned to [[No. 42 Wing RAAF]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/news-and-events/news/10-squadron-orions-transfer-42-wing|title=10 Squadron Orions transfer to 42 Wing|last=Force|first=Australian Air|date=2019-06-18|website=www.airforce.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2019-10-22}}</ref>


==Aircraft operated==
==Aircraft operated==
The squadron has operated the following aircraft:<ref name=Eather44/>
The squadron has operated the following aircraft:<ref name=Eather44/>
* [[Short Sunderland]] (1939–1945);
* [[Short Sunderland]] (1939–1945)
* [[Supermarine Walrus Mk.I]] (1940);<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adf-serials.com.au/walrus.htm |title=RAAF Walrus I |work=Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History |accessdate=11 February 2020}}</ref>
* [[Supermarine Walrus Mk.I]] (1940)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adf-serials.com.au/walrus.htm |title=RAAF Walrus I |work=Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History |access-date=11 February 2020}}</ref>
* [[Short S.26|Short S.26 G-Boat]] (1941);<ref name="Short Aircraft Since 1900"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adf-serials.com.au/ShortS26.htm |title=RAAF Short S.26/M |work=Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History |accessdate=11 February 2020}}</ref>
* [[Short S.26|Short S.26 G-Boat]] (1941)<ref name="Short Aircraft Since 1900"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adf-serials.com.au/ShortS26.htm |title=RAAF Short S.26/M |work=Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History |access-date=11 February 2020}}</ref>
* [[Avro Lincoln]] (1949–1962);
* [[Avro Lincoln]] (1949–1962)
* [[P-2 Neptune|Lockheed P2V-7S Neptune]] (1962–1977);
* [[P-2 Neptune|Lockheed P2V-7S Neptune]] (1962–1977)
* [[P-3 Orion|Lockheed P-3C Orion]] (1977–2002)
* [[P-3 Orion|Lockheed P-3C Orion]] (1977–2002)
* [[AP-3C Orion]] (2002–Current)
* [[AP-3C Orion]] (2002–2023)
* [[MC-55A Peregrine]] (due 2023-24)


No. 10 Squadron was also equipped with small numbers of [[Supermarine|Supermarine Seagull]], [[Supermarine|Supermarine Southampton]], [[De Havilland|de Havilland DH60 Moth floatplane]], [[Consolidated Catalina]] and [[Supermarine Walrus]] aircraft for training purposes prior to receiving its Sunderland aircraft.<ref>Eather, ''Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force'', p. 41.</ref>
No. 10 Squadron was also equipped with small numbers of [[Supermarine|Supermarine Seagull]], [[Supermarine|Supermarine Southampton]], [[De Havilland|de Havilland DH60 Moth floatplane]], [[Consolidated Catalina]] and [[Supermarine Walrus]] aircraft for training purposes prior to receiving its Sunderland aircraft.<ref>Eather, ''Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force'', p. 41.</ref>
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==References==
==References==
* {{cite book |last=Barnes |first=Norman |title=The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons |year=2000 |location=St Leonards, New South Wales |publisher=Allen & Unwin |isbn=1-86508-130-2 }}
* {{cite book |last=Barnes |first=Norman |title=The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons |year=2000 |location=St Leonards, New South Wales |publisher=Allen & Unwin |isbn=1-86508-130-2 }}
* {{cite book|last=Barnes|first=C.H.|authorlink=|author2=James, D.N. |title=Short Aircraft Since 1900| publisher=Putnam|date=1989| location=London|url=|isbn=0-85177-819-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Barnes|first=C.H.|author2=James, D.N. |title=Short Aircraft Since 1900| publisher=Putnam|date=1989| location=London|isbn=0-85177-819-4}}
*{{cite book|last=Coulthard-Clark|first=Chris|title=The RAAF in Vietnam: Australian Air Involvement in the Vietnam War 1962–1975|publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] in association with the [[Australian War Memorial]]|location=Sydney|year=1995|isbn=1-86373-305-1}}
*{{cite book|last=Coulthard-Clark|first=Chris|title=The RAAF in Vietnam: Australian Air Involvement in the Vietnam War 1962–1975|publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] in association with the [[Australian War Memorial]]|location=Sydney|year=1995|isbn=1-86373-305-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Eather |first=Steve |year=1995 |title=Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force |publisher=Aerospace Publications |location=Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory |isbn=1-875671-15-3 }}
* {{cite book|last=Eather |first=Steve |year=1995 |title=Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force |publisher=Aerospace Publications |location=Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory |isbn=1-875671-15-3 }}
*{{cite book|last=RAAF Historical Section|title=Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 4: Maritime Units|publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service|location=Canberra|year=1995|isbn=0-644-42796-5}}
*{{cite book|last=RAAF Historical Section|title=Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 4: Maritime Units|publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service|location=Canberra|year=1995|isbn=0-644-42796-5}}
*{{cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan|origyear=2001|year=2006| title=The Royal Australian Air Force: A History| location=London| publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0-19-555541-4}}
*{{cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan|orig-year=2001|year=2006| title=The Royal Australian Air Force: A History| location=London| publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0-19-555541-4}}


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:RAAF squadrons|10]]
[[Category:RAAF squadrons|10]]
[[Category:Signals intelligence units and formations]]
[[Category:Maritime patrol aircraft squadrons]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1939]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1939]]

Latest revision as of 02:11, 10 October 2024

No. 10 Squadron RAAF
No. 10 Squadron's crest
Active1939–1945
1949–current
CountryAustralia
BranchRoyal Australian Air Force
RoleIntelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Electronic Warfare
Part ofNo. 92 Wing
BaseRAAF Base Edinburgh
Motto(s)"Strike First"
EngagementsWorld War II
East Timor
Iraq
Afghanistan
Battle honoursAtlantic 1939–1945,
Biscay 1940–1945,
Mediterranean 1940–1943,
Biscay Ports 1940–1945,
English Channel and North Sea 1939–1945,
Bismarck,
Normandy 1944[1]
Commanders
Notable
commanders		William Brill (1949–1950)[2]
Marija Jovanovich (2020–2023)
Aircraft flown
ReconnaissanceMC-55A Peregrine (2023-24)

No. 10 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) signals intelligence (SIGINT) squadron based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. It is part of No. 92 Wing RAAF. The squadron was formed in 1939 as a maritime patrol unit. It saw active service during the Second World War, conducting anti-submarine operations and patrols from bases in the United Kingdom until it disbanded in late 1945. It was re-formed in Australia in 1949 and since then has contributed to Australia's East Timor intervention, and has been deployed to the Middle East as part of the War on Terrorism and the 2003 Gulf War. Most recently it now has a signals intelligence mission.

History

[edit]

Second World War

[edit]

No. 10 Squadron was formed on 1 July 1939 at RAAF Base Point Cook, under the command of Wing Commander Leon Lachal.[3] Later that month aircrew and ground staff from the squadron departed for Britain to be trained on the Short Sunderland aircraft which had been acquired to equip the squadron. While it was intended that the aircrew would fly these aircraft to Australia after completing their training, following the outbreak of war the Australian government offered to retain the squadron in Britain. As a result, No. 10 Squadron was both the first RAAF squadron and the first British Commonwealth squadron to see active service in the Second World War, when one of its aircraft made a flight to Tunisia on 10 October 1939. It was also the only RAAF squadron to see continuous active service throughout the war.[1][4]

No. 10 Squadron Sunderland sets out on patrol in 1941

The squadron's major tasks during the war were escorting convoys, conducting anti-submarine patrols, and air-sea rescue. It sank its first U-boat on 1 July 1940.[4] Operating mainly from bases in southern Britain such as RAF Mount Batten in Plymouth,[5] the unit flew missions as far afield as Oban in Scotland, where a detachment was based between late 1940 and mid-1940,[6] and Malta and Gibraltar in the Mediterranean Sea.[7]

No. 10 Squadron sank a total of six U-boats between February 1940 and May 1945. It also set a Coastal Command record in February 1944 for the most patrol hours flown in a single month: 1143.[1] The unit lost 19 aircraft during the war,[4] most of which, according to author Norman Barnes, are thought to have been shot down by long range German fighter aircraft.[8] In June 1945, the squadron ceased operations as part of Coastal Command and a reorganisation of RAAF units in Britain resulted in No. 466 Squadron RAAF being redesignated as No. 10 Squadron and moving to Bassingbourn, in Cambridgeshire.[8] Following the end of hostilities in Europe, No. 10 Squadron began preparations to deploy to the Pacific Theatre; however, this was curtailed by the Japanese surrender and it remained in Britain, disbanding on 26 October 1945.[4] Wartime casualties amounted to 161 personnel killed.[1]

Post-war

[edit]
No. 10 Sqn. SP-2H with a USN P-5 and a RNZAF Sunderland in 1963

No. 10 Squadron was re-formed at Townsville on 1 March 1949 to increase the RAAF's reconnaissance capability. Operating modified Lincoln heavy bombers the squadron conducted maritime and anti-submarine patrols over northern Australia and the South Pacific. In June 1950, a detachment from the squadron was sent to Darwin to carry out search and rescue duties.[9] The squadron continued in this role after re-equipping with Neptune aircraft in March 1962, and the longer range of the Neptune allowed the squadron to operate over South East Asia and the Central Pacific in an area that was equal to "one tenth of the world's surface".[10]

During the Vietnam War, Neptune aircraft from No. 10 Squadron operating from U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield supported US Air Force B-52 bombing missions on an opportunity basis whilst transiting Thai airspace, using their AN/APS-120 radar to provide early warning of surface-to-air missiles.[11] The Neptune's electronic equipment was also used during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation in the mid-1960s to monitor Indonesian radars.[12] For a six-month period between June 1968 and January 1969, the squadron was commanded by a US naval officer, Lieutenant Commander J.A. Mueller.[13]

Throughout 1978–79, No. 10 Squadron was re-equipped with P-3C Orion aircraft and relocated to RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia.[10] With the similarly equipped No. 11 Squadron, No. 10 Squadron continued to operate in the maritime patrol, surveillance and anti-shipping roles.[10][14]

Since the 1980s, No. 10 Squadron has contributed to the RAAF maritime patrol detachment based at Butterworth Air Base in Malaysia as part of Operation Gateway.[10] More recently, it supported the Australian-led intervention into East Timor in 1999,[15] and contributed to the Australian maritime patrol detachment based in the Persian Gulf since 2003. In this role the squadron supported coalition operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and undertaken border protection duties as part of Operation Resolute. In 2018, 10 Squadron was assigned to No. 42 Wing RAAF, where it continued to operate two AP-3C(EW) Orions in an electronic warfare role.[16]

In December 2020 Wing Commander Marija Jovanovich assumed command of the squadron, becoming the third woman to lead a RAAF flying squadron. No. 10 Squadron became the first RAAF flying squadron to simultaneously have a female commanding officer and a female executive officer in 2021, when Squadron Leader Jenna Higgins took up the role.[17]

The two AP-3C(EW) Orion electronic warfare aircraft flew their final mission in December 2023 and the type has been retired from service. They are being replaced by four MC-55A Peregrine ISREW / SIGINT / ELINT aircraft, due to enter service in 2023-24.[18] Upon the retirement of the AP-3C(EW), 10 Squadron was re-assigned to No. 92 Wing RAAF.

According to 2020 parliamentary reports, forward-operating bases located at RAAF bases at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Townsville and Darwin will enable the MC-55A, based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, to "project into Australia's area of interest".

Aircraft operated

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The squadron has operated the following aircraft:[10]

No. 10 Squadron was also equipped with small numbers of Supermarine Seagull, Supermarine Southampton, de Havilland DH60 Moth floatplane, Consolidated Catalina and Supermarine Walrus aircraft for training purposes prior to receiving its Sunderland aircraft.[21]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d "10 Squadron RAAF". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 15 December 2007.
  2. ^ RAAF Historical Section, Units of the Royal Australian Air Force, p.15
  3. ^ Barnes, The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons, p. 67
  4. ^ a b c d Stephens, Royal Australian Air Force, p.76
  5. ^ a b Barnes and James, Short Aircraft Since 1900, p.338
  6. ^ Barnes, The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons, p. 65
  7. ^ "No. 10 Squadron (RAAF): Second World War". History of War.org. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  8. ^ a b Barnes, The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons, p. 66
  9. ^ Barnes, The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons, pp. 66–67
  10. ^ a b c d e Eather, Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force, p. 44.
  11. ^ Coulthard-Clark, The RAAF in Vietnam, p. 92.
  12. ^ "A89 Lockheed Neptune". RAAF Museum. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  13. ^ Barnes, The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons, p. 68
  14. ^ "No 10 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force". RAAF Museum. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  15. ^ Gilbert, Gregory. "RAAF Units in East Timor". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  16. ^ Royal Australian Air Force (18 June 2019). "10 Squadron Orions transfer to 42 Wing". www.airforce.gov.au. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
  17. ^ Ghodsi, Roya (13 December 2021). "Air Force's ISREW specialists". Australian Defence Magazine. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  18. ^ McLaughlin, Andrew (20 March 2020). "Feature: PEREGRINE". ADBR. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  19. ^ "RAAF Walrus I". Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  20. ^ "RAAF Short S.26/M". Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  21. ^ Eather, Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force, p. 41.

References

[edit]
  • Barnes, Norman (2000). The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons. St Leonards, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-130-2.
  • Barnes, C.H.; James, D.N. (1989). Short Aircraft Since 1900. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-819-4.
  • Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1995). The RAAF in Vietnam: Australian Air Involvement in the Vietnam War 1962–1975. Sydney: Allen & Unwin in association with the Australian War Memorial. ISBN 1-86373-305-1.
  • Eather, Steve (1995). Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1-875671-15-3.
  • RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 4: Maritime Units. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-42796-5.
  • Stephens, Alan (2006) [2001]. The Royal Australian Air Force: A History. London: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-555541-4.
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