No. 87 Squadron RAAF
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No. 87 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force photo reconnaissance squadron.
Squadron history
No. 87 Squadron was formed on 10 September 1944 at Coomalie Creek in the Northern Territory by re-designating 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit. The Squadron's role during World War II was providing photo reconnaissance support for Allied air force operations in the Netherlands East Indies.
Operating from Coomalie Creek, No. 87 Squadron primarily conducted reconnaissance flights over the eastern islands of the Netherlands East Indies, with occasional missions over Java. A detachment from the squadron was briefly based on the Cocos Islands in June 1945 where it unsuccessfully attempted to photograph targets in Singapore.
Following the end of the war No. 87 Squadron continued to conduct flights over Japanese held territory in order to monitor Japanese Army units until they could be disarmed. The Squadron moved to Parkes, New South Wales in October 1945 where it was disbanded on 24 July 1946.
Following No. 87 Squadron's disbandment its Mosquito aircraft were operated the Survey Flight based at RAAF Base Fairbairn. This Flight was re-designated No. 87 Squadron on 8 March 1948. Operating in the photo survey role the Squadron carried out many operations to support the Commonwealth Survey Committee and National Mapping Council. The Squadron also became responsible with providing the RAAF with a photo reconnaissance capability in 1949. Following the withdrawal of funding support by the Department of National Development No. 87 Squadron was disbanded at Fairbairn in December 1953.
No. 87 Squadron will be reactivated as an air intelligence squadron on July 1 2006. The Squadron's headquarters will be located at RAAF Base Edinburgh with Intelligence Flights from the squadron stationed at most major RAAF bases.[link]
Aircraft operated
- CAC Wirraway (September 1944-July 1946?)
- De Havilland Mosquito (September 1944-July 1946, March 1948-December 1953)
References
- RAAF Museum [87 Squadron]
- Steve Eather (1995) Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Aerospace Publications.
| Royal Australian Air Force flying squadrons | |
|---|---|
| RAAF Units Under Australian Operational Control 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 22 23 24 25 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 60 66 67 71 73 75 76 77 78 79 80 82 83 84 85 86 87 92 93 94 99 100 102 107 292 | |
| RAAF Units Under RAF Operational Control During WWII 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 466 467 | |
| Joint RAAF-Netherlands East Indies Squadrons No. 18 (NEI) No. 119 (NEI) No. 120 (NEI) |
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