No. 78 Wing is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operational training wing, headquartered at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. It comprises Nos. 76 and 79 Squadrons, operating the BAE Hawk 127 lead-in fighter, and No. 278 Squadron, a technical training unit. No. 79 Squadron, located at RAAF Base Pearce, Western Australia, is responsible for converting new pilots to fast jets, while No. 76 Squadron at Williamtown conducts introductory fighter courses; both units also fly support missions for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army.
Formed as a fighter wing in November 1943, No. 78 Wing comprised three flying units, Nos. 75, 78 and 80 Squadrons, operating P-40 Kittyhawks in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II. After the war, it re-equipped with P-51 Mustangs at Williamtown. During the early 1950s, the wing was based at Malta on garrison duties with the Royal Air Force, operating two squadrons of De Havilland Vampire jet fighters. Re-equipped with CAC Sabres, it deployed with Nos. 3 and 77 Squadrons to Malaya in 1958–59, flying sorties against communist insurgents in the final years of the Emergency. In the 1960s, it was tasked with providing regional air defence during the Konfrontasi between Indonesia and Malaysia, and supplied the equipment and personnel for the RAAF contingent operating from Ubon Air Base in Thailand. No. 78 Wing was disbanded in November 1967, and re-formed for its present role as an operational training wing in February 2000.
History World War II No. 78 Wing was formed on 24 November 1943 at Townsville, Queensland, under the command of Wing Commander (later Group Captain) W.D. Brookes.No. 78 Wing Headquarters, "Operations Record Book", pp. 1–2 Along with No. 77 Wing, it came under the control of No. 10 Operational Group, a mobile strike force supporting the Allied armies as they advanced in the South West Pacific theatre. No. 78 Wing's flying units were originally to have consisted of No. 80 Squadron, operating P-40 Kittyhawk fighters, and Nos. 452 and 457 Squadrons, operating Spitfires. The Spitfire squadrons could not be released from duty in the North-Western Area as planned, and Nos. 75 and 78 Squadrons took their place, making the formation an all-Kittyhawk force.Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 182–184 No. 78 Wing flew combat air patrols and ground-attack missions during Operations Reckless and Persecution, the assault on Hollandia and Aitape, New Guinea, in April 1944.Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 206–213 By the middle of the year, the wing's flying hours in New Guinea were consistently higher than those of its counterparts in the US Fifth Air Force.Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 194Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 227
When No. 10 Operational Group was re-formed as the Australian First Tactical Air Force (No. 1 TAF) in October 1944, No. 78 Wing constituted its fighter contingent along with the recently arrived No. 81 Wing, which also operated Kittyhawks.Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 298–299 The relegation of No. 1 TAF to areas of operations bypassed by the main Allied thrust towards the Philippines and Japan led to poor morale in late 1944 and early 1945. In April 1945, the newly appointed Officer Commanding No. 78 Wing, Group Captain Wilfred Arthur, helped bring about the so-called "Morotai Mutiny" in protest at the employment of Australian fighter squadrons for apparently worthless ground-attack missions. A subsequent inquiry cleared the pilots involved, finding their motives in tendering their resignations to be sincere.Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 123–124
Arthur retained command of No. 78 Wing for the invasion of Tarakan, which commenced on 1 May. Augmented by No. 452 Squadron's Spitfires, the wing was a last-minute replacement for No. 81 Wing—which had been delayed while moving its aircraft forward from Noemfoor and northern Australia—and had only ten days to prepare for the operation.Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 453 As well as its flying squadrons, No. 78 Wing's complement included No. 114 Mobile Fighter Control Unit (No. 114 MFCU), No. 29 Air Stores Park, No. 28 Medical Clearing Station, and No. 11 Repair and Servicing Unit.No. 78 Wing Headquarters, "Operations Record Book", p. 74 On 25 May 1945, Arthur was succeeded by Wing Commander Alan Rawlinson.No. 78 Wing Headquarters, "Operations Record Book", pp. 75–85 In June and July, the wing took part in the assaults on Labuan and Balikpapan, undertaking convoy escort in the former and, joined once more by No. 452 Squadron, ground-attack missions and close support of the Australian 7th Division in the latter.Water, Oboe, p. 73Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 482–488 During July it flew 858 sorties, dropping over of bombs and expending almost 350,000 rounds of ammunition, for the loss of six aircraft and four pilots killed or missing.No. 78 Wing Headquarters, "Operations Record Book", pp. 81–83
Early post-war period
Following the end of hostilities, No. 78 Wing, comprising Nos. 75, 78 and 80 Squadrons, and No. 114 MFCU, departed Tarakan for Australia. Arriving in December 1945, the formation was based initially at Deniliquin, New South Wales, where its squadrons were reduced to cadre status; No. 80 Squadron was disbanded there in July 1946.No. 78 Wing Headquarters, "Operations Record Book", pp. 97–99RAAF Historical Section, Fighter Units, pp. 44, 68, 77 The wing and its remaining squadrons relocated in May and June to RAAF Station Schofields, New South Wales, and then in August to RAAF Station Williamtown, where they re-equipped with P-51 Mustangs.No. 78 Wing Headquarters, "Operations Record Book", pp. 105–108 Rawlinson, now a group captain, completed his appointment as officer commanding in December 1946.Garrisson, Australian Fighter Aces, p. 152 Wing Commander Dick Cresswell held command of the wing—as well as the Williamtown base—from March 1947 to March 1948.No. 78 Wing Headquarters, "Operations Record Book", pp. 117, 147RAAF Historical Section, Introduction, Bases, Supporting Organisations, pp. 169–171
No. 378 (Base) Squadron was formed under the aegis of No. 78 Wing at Williamtown in June 1947; base squadrons were administrative and logistical units intended to make their wings self-supporting and mobile, in case of deployment.O'Brien, Always There, pp. 54–55Stephens, Going Solo, p. 71 No. 478 (Maintenance) Squadron formed the same month to take responsibility for all aircraft and equipment operated by No. 78 Wing.RAAF Historical Section, Maintenance Units, pp. 59–62 Nos. 75 and 78 Squadrons were disbanded in March and April 1948, respectively. Nos. 478 and 378 Squadrons also disbanded in April, the latter re-forming as Station Headquarters Williamtown. For the remainder of the year, No. 78 Wing's aircraft and staff were gradually transferred to other units; by December the formation had been reduced to a strength of four airmen and no officers, and was declared "non-operative".No. 78 Wing Headquarters, "Operations Record Book", pp. 149–159
Malta garrison No. 78 Wing was re-established in January 1949, comprising Nos. 75, 76, and 478 Squadrons, and No. 114 MFCU.No. 78 Wing Headquarters, "Operations Record Book", p. 160 It became the first wing in the RAAF to equip with jet aircraft, when its flying units took delivery of De Havilland Vampire F.30 fighters between 1949 and 1951; it was also allocated Mustangs and CAC Wirraways.Wilson, Vampire, Macchi and Iroquois, pp. 42–43 The wing subsequently re-equipped with Vampire FB.9s leased from the Royal Air Force, in exchange for Australia's commitment to support RAF operations in the Middle East. Comprising Nos. 75 and 76 (Fighter) Squadrons, No. 378 (Base) Squadron and No. 478 (Maintenance) Squadron, No. 78 Wing was deployed to Malta on garrisoning duties under Wing Commander (later Group Captain) Brian Eaton.Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 221–223Odgers, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 180–182
As the RAAF's presence was essentially a symbolic gesture to demonstrate the Commonwealth's solidarity in the midst of the Cold War, the combat squadrons were half-strength only, operating eight aircraft each. In addition to the Vampires, two Gloster Meteor trainers were provided. Personnel departed Australia in July 1952; the posting overseas being a minimum of two years, families were permitted to make the journey as well.Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 202–203Eather, Odd Jobs, pp. 173–175 Although under the operational control of the RAF's No. 205 Group, the wing was under no circumstances to be used in combat without the express permission of the Australian government. The airmen participated in many NATO exercises while stationed at Malta, and one year took first and second place in the Middle Eastern Gunnery Contest for the "Imshi" Mason Cup.Newton, Clash of Eagles, p. 111
Originally based at the Royal Navy's Ħal Far airfield, in south-east Malta, the wing moved in June 1953 to the centrally located RAF Station Ta'Kali, command of which was given to Group Captain Eaton.Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 204–207 By this time, with plans afoot to form a Far East Strategic Reserve to contain communist aggression in South East Asia, the British and Australian governments began to discuss withdrawing No. 78 Wing from the Middle East when its planned two-year garrison was complete. Eaton handed over command to Wing Commander Geoff Newstead in September 1954. The wing flew its last sorties in December, and returned to Australia the following month.Eather, Odd Jobs, p. 183
Following its tour in the Mediterranean, No. 78 Wing was reorganised at Williamtown. On 16 March 1955, the wing headquarters was re-formed, and Nos. 76 and 378 Squadrons were disbanded. No. 75 Squadron remained with the wing, augmented on 21 March by Nos. 3 and 77 Squadrons. On 1 April, No. 478 Squadron absorbed the maintenance functions of No. 77 Squadron.No. 78 Wing Headquarters, "Operations Record Book", pp. 372–373 Nos. 75 and 77 Squadrons initially operated Meteors from Williamtown and No. 3 Squadron was based at RAAF Station Canberra, where it flew P-51D Mustangs. By November 1956 the wing had re-equipped with CAC Sabres and all of its units were stationed at Williamtown.CAC Sabre at RAAF Museum. Retrieved on 1 May 2013.RAAF Historical Section, Fighter Units, pp. 6, 45, 60
Malayan Emergency and Konfrontasi
Group Captain Glen Cooper took command of the wing in 1957, deploying it between October 1958 and February 1959 to RAAF Base Butterworth in Malaya, where its flying units consisted of Nos. 3 and 77 Squadrons.Cooper, Glen Albert at Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved on 17 January 2012.Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 252, 259–260 No. 75 Squadron remained at Williamtown, subsequently joining No. 81 Wing with a re-formed No. 76 Squadron. Among the first aircraft to wear the Air Force's new "leaping kangaroo" roundel, the Butterworth-based Sabres flew several ground-attack missions against communist guerrilla forces in the last stages of the Malayan Emergency. Servicing for the aircraft was provided by No. 478 (Maintenance) Squadron. Armed with Sidewinder missiles, the Sabres were responsible for regional air defence during the Konfrontasi between Indonesia and Malaysia from 1963 until 1966, though no combat took place.Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 251–252