3 Squadron RAAF

In No.3 Squadron's official badge, the flaming, winged, grenade, emblazoned with a French Fleur-de-lis (or Heraldic Lily), recalls the Squadron's days as an Army Co-Operation Squadron serving in France with the Australian Flying Corps in World War I (1914 - 1918). The motto: OPERTA APERTA means "Secrets Revealed", referring to the value of aerial reconnaissance - one of the important roles of the Squadron in its early operational days. One of Australia's top flying units, No.3 Squadron is now equipped with F/A-18 Hornet fighter-bomber aircraft and based at Williamtown, NSW. There are over 200 airmen and airwomen plus over two dozen officers (predominantly the pilots) on strength. The Squadron proudly displays, in their crew rooms, many souvenirs and photos portraying the Squadron's history and achievements.
HISTORIC DATES - WORLD WAR I:
COMMANDING OFFICERS	LANDING GROUNDS	SIGNIFICANT DATES	EVENTS ...
MAJ David V. J. Blake 1/9/16 -16/10/18	1) LAVERTON, VICTORIA 19 Sep 1916 - 25 Oct 1916	19 Sep 1916 Formed within the A.F.C. - A division of 1st A.I.F.	First named 2 Squadron, as it was the 2nd AFC Squadron formed at Point Cook, Vic. When it was later found that another "No.2 Squadron" had been formed in Egypt at the same time, it was renumbered "3".
	(Enroute by Ulysses to U.K.) 25 Oct 1916 - 28 Dec 1916	25 Oct 1916 Sailed for U.K.	Ship 'Ulysses' left Melbourne with 18 officers and 230 airmen.
	2) SOUTH CARLTON, U.K. 28 Dec 1916 - 24 Aug 1917	31 Mar 1917 Incorporated into R.F.C.	Renamed 69 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Much of the training and preparation was carried out at South Carlton, UK.
	3) SAVY 9 Sep 1917 - 12 Nov 1917	10 Sep 1917 First Operational in France	The first AFC Squadron to arrive in France. Three flights: A, B, C. Each had six RE8 aircraft crewed by pilot and observer-gunner.
	4) BAILLEUL 12 Nov 1917 - 22 Mar 1918	17 Dec 1917 The "Ghost RE8" incident	Lt. Sandy (pilot) and Sgt Hughes (observer) killed by a single bullet during flying combat. Their RE8 flew until it ran out of fuel then glide-landed 50 miles away with little damage.
	5) ABEELE 22 Mar 1918 - 8 Apr 1918	20 Jan 1918 Renamed officially	Separation of the Australian Flying Corps squadrons from the Royal Flying Corps gave 3 Squadron its official designation.
	6) POULAINVILLE 8 Apr 1918 - 4 May 1918	21 Apr 1918 The "Red Baron" incident	During his air pursuit of an RFC Camel, Germany's top ace, Captain Baron Manfred von Richthofen (called "The Red Baron" because he flew a red-painted Fokker DR1 triplane) was, by evidence, shot down and mortally-wounded by ground fire, although he was also fired at by two 3 Squadron RE8s and an RFC camel aircraft. The Red Baron's aircraft crashed near 3 Squadron's base. Lt. James Lee Smith, DFC, an off-duty 3 Squadron pilot, helped lead a retrieval party to bring the Baron's body and his aircraft back to 3SQN's Poulainville base. 3 Squadron buried The Red Baron with full military honours.
	7) VILLERS BOCAGE 4 May 1918 - 6 Sep 1918 (Advanced Landing Ground: GLISY 12 Aug 1918 - 6 Sep 1918) 8) PROYART 3 Sep 1918 - 21 Sep 1918	24 Jun 1918 The "Wackett invention"	Aerial drops of ammunition to field troops were needed but almost impossible to achieve with accuracy. Capt L. J. Wackett, DFC, ("A" Flight's Commander) invented a bomb-rack release device that effectively solved the problem for the Allies. Wackett became a leading figure in Australian aviation and was instrumental in the design and manufacture the Sabres and Mirages operated by 3SQN.
MAJ W. H. Anderson 16/10/18 - 1/7/19	9) BOUVINCOURT 21 Sep 1918 - 6 Oct 1918 10) BERNES 6 Oct 1918 - 17 Oct 1918 11) PREMONT 17 Oct 1918 - 28 Nov 1918	18 Nov 1918 Germany and Australia's first air-postal service	Seven days after WW1 ended, 3 Squadron were ordered to set up and operate the first air-postal service to cover the newly occupied Rhine and Cologne areas for Army HQ.
	12) TARCIENNES 29 Nov 1918 - 22 Feb 1919	3 Jan 1919 Recording history	As well-proven experts in aerial photography, 3 Squadron were assigned the task of photographing WW1 battle sites.
		31 Jan 1919 Aircraft change-over	Bristol F2b Fighters had, by then, gradually replaced all RE8s
		21 Feb 1919 Return to England	All the new aircraft and stores were handed back to the RAF.
		6 May 1919 Return to Australia	29 officers and 216 airmen embarked 'Kaiser-I-Hind' at Southampton, UK. (AFC No.2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 Squadrons also on board.)
		16 Jun 1919 Last day of A.F.C. activity	Disembarked Melbourne. Discharge of the last airmen.

BETWEEN THE WARS:
COMMANDING OFFICERS	LANDING GROUNDS	SIGNIFICANT DATES	EVENTS ...
FLTLT F. W. F. Lukis (Promoted SQNLDR 2/7/26) 1/7/25- 13/1/30		1922 Temporary Squadron	3 Squadron was re-formed for about six months, before being disbanded... Government funding apparently the cause.
	1) POINT COOK, Victoria 29 Jun 1925 - 1 July 1925 2) RICHMOND, NSW 2 Jul 1925 - 15 Jul 1940	1 Jul 1925 Re-formed within R.A.A.F.	3 (Composite) Squadron formed at Point Cook, Vic. with HQ plus 3 flights. Flying: DH9, SE5A, and DH9A bombers. Squadron then moved to Richmond, NSW.
		11 Aug 1925 First RAAF-branded operations	Two DH9s flew to Brisbane for Brisbane Show. Shortly after began aerial photography of Australia. Did that for 13 years.
		1 Jul 1926 Rename	The term "Composite" was deleted to become 3 Squadron.
SQNLDR A. H. Cobby DSO, DFC (The AFC's highest-scoring fighter ace in WWI) 13/1/30 - 22/11/31 SQNLDR W. D. Bostock OBE 22/11/31 - 8/5/36		1930 - 1935 Aircraft changes	Westland Wapiti replacements first. Then Hawker Demons began replacing Wapitis.
FLTLT R. H. Simm 8/5/36 - 10/11/36 SQNLDR J. V. Lacher 10/11/36 - 2/2/37 SQNLDR J. H. Summers 2/2/37 - 3/5/37 SQNLDR J. Waters 3/5/37 - 10/5/38 SQNLDR A. L. Walters 10/5/38 - 39 SQNLDR A. X. Richards 1939		Sep 1935 Trophy winners	Won Air Services Trophy for 4th time.
		3 Sep 1939 Operational alert	England's declaration of war on Germany. Australia follows as a matter of course.

WORLD WAR II:
COMMANDING OFFICERS	LANDING GROUNDS	SIGNIFICANT DATES	EVENTS ...
FLTLT I. D. McLachlan (Promoted to SQNLDR 1/2/40. Won DFC) 4/12/39 - 13/2/41	(Transport to Middle East)	15 Jul 1940 Left Richmond, NSW	21 officers and 271 airmen sailed on 'Orontes' for Egypt.
	1) GERAWALA, Egypt (two Flights) and IKINGI MARIUT (one Flight) 3 Nov 1940 - 14 Dec 1940	Sep-Oct 1940 First Equipment in Africa	Three Westland Lysanders followed by Gloster Gladiators and Gauntlets. Became members of 'Desert Air Force'; the radio call sign for the Squadron became the word 'SHABBY'.
		13 Nov 1940 First operational flight	FltLts G. Steege, DSO, DFC, and C Gaden carried out reconnaissance. ("Tac.R")
		19 Nov 1940 1st pilot loss and 1st air-combat victory claims	SqnLdr Peter Heath killed in action; flying a biplane Gladiator against the Italians. FltLt B. Pelly, FlgOffs A. Rawlinson and A. Boyd claimed three Italian CR42 s shot down and at least 3 others damaged. (In fact the Italians lost no aircraft, but did suffer some damage. The Italians also over-claimed six victories, whereas SqnLdr Heath was the only casualty on either side.)
	2. SIDI BARRANI 14 Dec 1940 - 23 Dec 1940 3) SOLLUM 23 Dec 1940 - 11 Jan 1941	14 Dec 1940 1st bail-out	FlgOff L. Winten was wounded and parachuted to safety.
	4) GAMBUT, Libya 11 Jan 1941 - 21 Jan 1941	14 Jan 1941 First ground casualties	Wireless personnel Cpl V. Jarvis killed near Tobruk and LAC G. Parr taken prisoner by Italian soldiers.
	5. BIR HACHEIM 21 Jan 1941 - 24 Jan 1941 6. TMIMI. Libya 24 Jan 1941 - 7 Feb 1941	21 Jan 1941 New monoplane fighters	1st Hawker Hurricane arrived.
		Early 1941 Nickname given	First, the "phantom" then the " hydraulic" (lifts anything) and finally called the "Clifty" (in Arabic means "thieving") squadron.
		27 Jan 1941 1st decoration	WgCdr I. McLachlan (1st WW2 C.O.) awarded D.F.C.
SQNLDR Peter Jeffrey DFC 13/2/41 - 10/11/41	7. BENINA, Libya 7 Feb 1941- 2 Apr 1941	15 Feb 1941 1st German aircraft shot down	FlgOff J. Saunders, in Hurricane, shot down German JU88.
	8. MARTUBA (via GOT EL SULTAN) 2 Apr 1941 - 6 Apr 1941 9. SIDI MAHOUD 10. SOLLUM (and 5 other Landing Grounds) 6 Apr 1941 - 12 Apr 1941	First Retreat before Rommel; Tobruk Besieged; Defend Egyptian Frontier
		30 Apr 1941 1st stand-down	Stand-down whilst re-equipping with Tomahawks. 10 days leave from Aboukir in Nile Delta.
	11) AQIR, Palestine 3 May 1941 - 9 May 1941	14 May 1941 American aircraft	P40 Curtiss Tomahawks arrived. Within four months, there were 12 "Tommies" on strength.
	12) LYDDA, Palestine 9 May 1941 - 20 Jul 1941	8 Jun 1941 Syrian Campaign Starts
	13. RAYAK, Syria 20 Jul 1941 - 4 Sep 1941	12 Jul 1941 Armistice with Vichy French in Syria
SQNLDR Al C. Rawlinson DFC 10/11/41 - 1/1/42	14) SIDI HENEISH, Egypt 9 Sep 1941 - 13 Nov 1941 15) MADALENA 13 Nov 1941 - 20 Dec 1941	22 Nov 1941 The blackest day	Five pilots were killed during enemy action that day.
		30 Nov 1941 1st benchmark	Squadron tally of enemy aircraft claimed destroyed in air combat now exceeded 100.
		4 Dec 1941 New aircraft	P40E Curtiss Kittyhawks began arriving. 3SQN is the first desert fighter squadron to receive them.
	16) EL ADEM 20 Dec 1941 - 27 Dec 1941	2nd Libyan Advance
WGCDR D. R. Chapman 1/1/42 - 26/2/42	17) MSUS 27 Dec 1941 - 13 Jan 1942 18) ANTELAT 13 Jan 1942 - 22 Jan 1942 19) GAZALA 22 Jan 1942 - 26 Feb 1942	Retreat to Gazala Line
SQNLDR R. H. "Bobby" Gibbes, DFC 26/2/42 - 23/5/42 (First Tour) SQNLDR A. W. "Nicky" Barr, MC, DFC and Bar (Following Gibbes combat injury.) 23/5/42- 26/6/42 SQNLDR R.H. Gibbes DSO DFC and Bar (Second tour following Nicky Barr's capture.) 26/6/42 - 19/4/43	20) GAMBUT 26 Feb 1942 - 17 Jun 1942	Static Defence of Gazala Line, Libya
	21) SIDI AZEIZ 17 Jun 1942 - 18 Jun 1942 22) MICHEIFA (LG075) 18 Jun 1942 - 23 Jun 1942 23) SIDI HANEISH (LG102) 23 Jun 1942 - 27 Jun 1942 24) EL DABA (LG106) 27 Jun 1942 - 29 Jun 1942	2nd Libyan/Egyptian Retreat to El Alamein Line
	25) AMARIYA (LG91) 29 Jun 1942 - 19 Oct 1942	22 Jul 1942 Bombing Record	1,000th bomb dropped in 9 weeks - a record for Desert Air Force.
		Battle of El Alamein - Turning Point of the War in Africa
	26. AMARIYA (LG175) 19 Oct 1942- 6 Nov 1942	29 Oct 1942 "Double Century"	SqnLdr Bobby Gibbes added 200th kill to Squadron tally. (Recheck of records in 1996 disclosed errors; true tally was less.)
	27) EL DABA (LG106) 6 Nov 1942 - 9 Nov 1942 28) SIDI HANEISH (LG101) 9 Nov 1942 - 11 Nov 1942 29) MICHEIFA (LG076) 11 Nov 1942 - 13 Nov 1942	Pursuit of Rommel across Egypt and into Libya
	30) GAMBUT 13 Nov 1942 - 15 Nov 1942 31) GAZALA 15 Nov 1942 - 19 Nov 1942 32) MARTUBA 19 Nov 1942 - 8 Dec 1942 33) BELANDAH 8 Dec 1942 - 18 Dec 1942	Nov 1942 'Clifty' aircraft 1	FlgOff Ken McRae captured a usable Me109G which was marked "CV" as a 3 Squadron aircraft. CO, SqnLdr Bobby Gibbes, DSO DFC, used it to teach pilots about German tactics.
	34) MARBLE ARCH 18 Dec 1942 - 31 Dec 1942 35) CHELL 2 31 Dec 1942 - 11 Jan 1943 36) HAMRIET 3 11 Jan 1943 - 17 Jan 1943 37) SEDADA 17 Jan 1943 - 20 Jan 1943 38) SIRRU 20 Jan 1943 - 24 Jan 1943	18 Dec 1942 Marble Arch Mine Disaster	Axis mines and booby traps were a serious hazard during the long advance across North Africa. At Marble Arch five ground-crew were killed by a singe German 'S' mine (or "bouncing betty").
	39) CASTEL BENITO 24 Jan 1943 - 15 Feb 1943 40) EL ASSA 15 Feb 1943 - 8 Mar 1943 41) NEFFATIA 8 Mar 1943 - 21 Mar 1943	Jan 1943 'Clifty' aircraft 2	Undamaged Caproni Ghibli recovered at Castel Benito. Used often as a beer-carrier and a means of ferrying airmen on leave passes.
	42) MEDENIN MAIN 21 Mar 1943 - 3 Apr 1943 43) EL HAMMA, Tunisia 3 Apr 1943 - 14 Apr 1943	Major Battles on the Tunisian Frontier
SQNLDR B.A. Eaton 19/4/43 - 19/6/43	44) EL DJEM 14 Apr 1943 - 18 Apr 1943 45) KAIROUAN, Tunisia 18 Apr 1943 - 21 May 1943 46) ZUARA, Libya 21 May 1943 - 9 Jul 1943	12 May 1943 End of the War in Africa	When Tunisia fell, the Desert War was over. 3 Squadron were the only Squadron in the D.A.F. who'd participated in the entire African campaign. Celebration parties and leave were enjoyed before orders came to prepare for operations in Sicily and Italy.
SQNLDR Reg N. B. Stevens DFC and Bar 19/6/43 - 21/8/43	47) TE KALI, Malta 9 Jul 1943 - 13 Jul 1943 48) LUQA, Malta 13 Jul 1943 - 18 Jul 1943	4 July 1943 Stop-over to Europe 1	Two parties of personnel and aircraft arrived in Valetta, Malta before proceeding to Sicily several days later.
	49) PACHINO 18 Jul 1943 - 2 Aug 1943	21 July 1943 Stop-over to Europe 2	One more party arrived in Syracuse, Sicily and linked with the ex-Malta contingent. Within three days, they were flying 12 sorties per day against German forces in Sicily.
SQNLDR Brian A. Eaton DFC 21/8/43 - 22/2/44	50. AGNONE 2 Aug 1943 - 14 Sep 1943	5 Sep 1943 1st targets in mainland Europe	Flying 12 sorties a day from Sicily; hit German targets in Italy .
	51. GROTTAGLIE 14 Sep 1943 - 23 Sep 1943 52. BARI 23 Sep 1943 - 3 Oct 1943	15 Sep 1943 1st touchdown in Italy	An advance party began setting up a new base at Grottaglie, thereby "invading Europe". 3 Squadron became the first Allied squadron to operate from an Italian continental base,
	53. FOGGIA MAIN 3 Oct 1943 - 26 Oct 1943 54. MILENI 26 Oct 1943 - 4 Jan 1944	13 Oct 1943 Italy joins Allied forces	Italy's change from foe to friend encouraged welcome help from (very brave) civilians for pilots who were stranded behind the Fascist lines, and for escaping POWs.
	55. CUTELLA 4 Jan 1944 - 24 May 1944	13 Jan 1944 1,000lb bombs used	FLTLT Jack Doyle, (later DSO, DFC & Bar) hit his target with the Squadron's 1st 1,000 lb bomb. Kittyhawks later lifted 2 x 500lb. bombs plus 1 x 1,000lb. (Previously, only 250lb. bombs generally used.)
		16 -17 Feb 1944 Monte Cassino attacks	SQNLDR Brian Eaton, DSO, DFC, led 12 Kittyhawks in the first bomb-strikes on the world-famous Monastery, which psychologically dominated the Cassino valley. (Ironically it was not occupied by the Germans at the time.)
SQNLDR P. Murray Nash DFC 22/2/44 - 18/4/44 SQNLDR Rex H. Bayly DFC 18/4/44 - 29/10/44		5 May 1944 Pescara River Dam attack	12 Kittyhawks participated in a dive-bombing attack, along with No.260 RAF and No.5 SAAF Sqns., using 2,000 lb bomb-loads to successfully breach sluice gates of the hydro-electric dam.
		18 May 1944 Monte Cassino falls	After over four months of unrelenting land and air attack, the Benedictines' Monastery (now a rubble pile defended bitterly by the German paratroops) fell.
	56) SAN ANGELO 24 May 1944 - 13 Jun 1944	24 May 1944 Goodbye to Cutella	After nearly five months of occupancy at Cutella, the Squadron's departure completed the longest (and most uncomfortable) period of operations from the one airfield since 3 Sqn's war began in 1940.
	57) GUARDINO 13 Jun 1944 - 23 Jun 1944 58) FALERIUM 24 Jun 1944 - 9 Jul 1944 59) CRETE (near Siena, Italy) 10 Jul 1944 - 24 Aug 1944 60) IESI (A.K.A. "Jesi") 25 Aug 1944 - 10 Sep 1944 61) FOIANO 11 Sep 1944 - 19 Sep 1944	Advance to Rome and the Gothic Line
SQNLDR P. Murray Nash DFC and Bar 29/10/44 - 16/12/45	62) IESI 20 Sep 1944 - 18 Nov 1944 63) FANO 18 Nov 1944 - 26 Feb 1945	13 Nov 1944 Capable New Aircraft	First P51 Mustang arrived; 11 more arrived during next 5 days.
		20 Nov 1944 Last Kitty flown	Last operational flights flown in Kittyhawks.
SQNLDR Ken A. Richards DFC and Bar 1945		1 Jan 1945 Napalm bombs introduced	Wing orders to equip Mustangs with 750lb napalm bombs for pin-point bombing at 100 ft height against rail and road targets.
	64) CERVIA 26 Feb 1945 - 17 May 1945	5 May 1945 Last 3SQN operations WWII	Reconnaissance of Fiume, Trieste and Udine areas.
	65) LAVARIANO 17 May 1945 - 31 Aug 19	18 May 1945 "Victory in Europe" fly-past	239 Wing led the Desert Air Force in the victory fly-past at Campoformido.
		7 Sep 1945 Return to Australia	Embarked on 'Winchester Castle' at Taranto before embarking on 'Stratheden' from Egypt 20 days later .
		30 JULY 1946	3 SQUADRON disbanded after completing its WWII service.

SINCE WORLD WAR II
COMMANDING OFFICERS	LANDING GROUNDS	SIGNIFICANT DATES	EVENTS ...
SQNLDR T. H. H. Sanders 8/3/48 - 1/6/49 FLTLT J. W. Hubble (Promoted SQNLDR 20/11/51. Awarded AFC) 1/6/49 - 16/5/52	1) FAIRBAIRN, ACT 8 Mar 1948 - 15 Jun 1953	8 Mar 1948 Re-Formation	Named 3 (Tactical Reconnaissance) Squadron. Based at Fairbairn, A.C.T. with 9 Mustangs, 8 Austers, 2 Wirraways.
		Nov '50 to Aug '51 Korean-War Era Operations	Darwin: Operation "Gay Jabiru". Townsville: "Barrier Reef".
		Dec 1951 Redesignation	Became 3 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Squadron.
FLTLT H. R. Baldwin 16/5/52 - 12/5/53 FLTLT G. L. Waller 12/5/53 - 15/6/53		15 Jun 1953 Redesignation	Became "3 (Day Fighter/Ground Attack) Squadron". Assets transferred to Army.
		Squadron Dormant.
SQNLDR F. W. Barnes DFC, AFC 1/3/56 - 13/1/58	2) WILLIAMTOWN, NSW 17 Mar 1956 - 9 Nov 1958	Mar 1956 Re-Formation	Re-designated as 3 (Fighter) Squadron at Williamtown, NSW. 3SQN was equipped with 16 CAC27 Avon Sabres during next 3 months.
		Jun 1956 Speed record created	FLTLT J. Arthurson created a new Laverton to Williamtown speed record of 44 minutes and 25 seconds. This was broken several months later by FLGOFF N Raffin (42 minutes 10 seconds).
WGCDR C. G. Thomas DFC 13/1/58 - 24/4/61		Jun 1958 Training aircraft	A 2-seat T35 Vampire arrived; used for instrument training.
	3) BUTTERWORTH, MALAYA 9 Nov 1958 - 15 Feb 1967	15 Oct 1958 Move to Malaya	Ground personnel began moving out. 12 days later Sabres began flying to Butterworth via Darwin. Move completed by mid November.
		13 Aug 1959 Strike on guerrilla camps	6 Sabres dropped their 500lb HE bombs on 3 terrorist areas.
		26 Nov 1959 Manila Airshow	Detachment flew via Saigon to Clark AF base, Philippines to participate in International Airshow.
		Dec 1959 "Hose-down" ceremony started	FLGOFF Conn achieved 1,000 hours on Sabres. Champagne toast at flight line followed by a hose-down became standard procedure for all pilots achieving 1,000 hours or multiples.
		Apr 1960 1st Sidewinder fired	FLTLT V. Oborn fired the Squadron's first Sidewinder missile.
		Jun 1960 Attacks on insurgents	FLTLT J. Newham led Sabre attacks on Communist camps.
WGCDR R. H. Glassop DFC and Bar 24/4/61 - 29/1/62 WGCDR R. M. Hanstein 29/1/62 - 3/1/64		11 Sep 1962 Pilot killed on takeoff	FLTLT Offord ejected but too low for parachute to open.
		Sep 1963 Strip alert	The possibility of Indonesian aggression against Malaysia required a full-time alert. Two fully-armed aircraft ready to take off throughout daylight hours.
		Dec '63 to Jan '64 Alert scramble sorties	The developing confrontation against Indonesia resulted in several scrambles being activated but without fatal action being taken against the Indonesian aircraft.
WGCDR E. W. Tonkin OBE 3/1/64 - 14/1/66		5 Sep 1964 Indonesian Confrontation	Most personnel and Sabres transferred to RAF base at Changi to boost defence of Singapore; half stayed approx 1 month. For next few years, Squadron was often split over different bases.
WGCDR R. E. Frost 14/1/66 - 24/7/66 WGCDR K. A. Martin DFC 24/7/66 - SQNLDR J. S. Puleson-Jones 1966		12 Aug 1966 Alert rosters cancelled	The Indonesian Confrontation declared over.
		10 Sep 1966 50th birthday	Parade and hanger party to celebrate at Butterworth base.
		31 Jan 1967 Last Sabre operational flight	FLTLT J. Jacobsen flew last mission at Butterworth.
WGCDR V. Drummond DFC, AFC 2/2/67 - 17/5/67*	4) WILLIAMTOWN, NSW 15 Feb 1967 - 14 Feb 1969	16 Feb 1967 Return: Williamtown	4,060 mile flight via Changi, Denpasar, Darwin, Townsville was safely completed.
		May 1967 Convert to Mirages	Sabres were to be replaced by Mirage IIIO over several months, Conversion Courses were undertaken.
		17 May 1967 Commanding Officer's Crash*	The CO, WGCDR V. Drummond, was killed whilst training.
WGCDR Jake W. Newham 3/7/67 - 11/10/68		27 Jul 1967 New aircraft	The new CO, WGCDR Jake Newham flew the first Squadron Mirage from Avalon to Williamtown. Three more arrived during the next 7 days although there were now 10 pilots to fly them.
		25 Sep 1968 1st Mirage lost	FLGOFF M. Susans successfully ejected from 20,000 ft after mechanical failure caused a flame-out.
WGCDR E. A. Radford 11/10/68 - 27/12/70	5) BUTTERWORTH, MALAYA 17 Feb 1969 - 31 Mar 1986	14 Feb 1969 Butterworth again	25 aircraft and support personnel began move to Butterworth where they joined 75 Squadron. Regular detachments to Singapore began; continued for the next 22 years with regular rotations of personnel between Williamtown and Butterworth. The detachments came under the ANZUK Defence System.
		Aug 1969 Mirages to the Philippines	In August 1969 two Mirages were flown via Phan Rang, South Vietnam, to Clark AFB in the Philippines where they spent several days evaluating an American "Electronic Countermeasures" pod for training.
		Jun 1970 1st 1,000 hrs in Mirage	FLTLT J. Dereyter was first to log 1,000 Mirage hours
WGCDR Peter J. Scully 27/12/70 - 10/1/73		Dec 1970 Tail colours adopted	Red/black flash with "frill neck lizard" used for Squadron Mirage tails. (Derived from their "Lizard" ground-attack camouflage scheme.)
WGCDR R. J. Bomball AFC 10/1/73 - 1/12/74		16 Nov 1973 1st 2,000 hrs in Mirage	FLTLT Geoff L "Speedy" Colman was 1st in RAAF to log 2,000 Mirage hours.
		12 Dec 1973 Proficiency award	Duke of Gloucester Cup awarded to Squadron.
WGCDR D.W Owens 1/12/74 - 5/1/76		Dec 1974 Tail colours changed	Squadron crest on tail adopted; Southern Cross on rudder too.
		6 Jul 1975 Double tragedy	FLGOFF P Kelly killed when 75 Squadron Mirage landed on top of his Mirage on Butterworth airstrip.
WGCDR R.J. Phillips 5/1/76 - 14/3/77 WGCDR B. G. Grayson 14/3/77 - 7/3/79		10 May 1977 Trophy awarded	Squadron won the Kittyhawk Trophy for weapons efficiency.
		6 Dec 1977 Ejection drama	Flying Officer Brenton Crowhurst was coming in for a night landing at Butterworth when his Mirage experienced engine failure. He turned towards the sea to avoid crashing on the base and ejected, landing on the beach and suffering only a sprained ankle.
WGCDR K. J. Bricknell 7/3/79 - 16/6/81 WGCDR R. B Gregory AFC 16/6/81 - 10/8/83 WGCDR R. J. Conroy 10/8/83 - 16/6/84		1 Oct 1983 A "new" aircraft	A Caribou ("The Grumbling Green Gravel Truck") became a useful transporter (complete with a 3 Squadron emblem).
WGCDR B. R. Wood 16/6/84 - 31/3/86		25 Oct 1984 New missiles	The Matra 550 'Magic' missile 1st fired by CO WGCDR B. Wood.
		15 Nov 1985 Trophy award	Again, the Kittyhawk Trophy was won.
		13 Jan 1986 Hornets on show	Two F/A-18 Hornets from 2 OCU Williamtown visited.
		31 Mar 1986 Malaysia close-down	3 Squadron became the last RAAF Fighter Squadron to be based in the Malaysia / Singapore region, ending an eventful 28-year commitment. All aircraft, equipment and most personnel (over 250) transferred to 79 Squadron.
WGCDR B. J. S. Mouatt AM 31/3/86 - 14/12/87	6) WILLIAMTOWN, NSW 31 Mar 1986 - Present Day	April 1986 Building the new FA/18 Squadron	3 Squadron ceased to exist until reformed shortly afterwards at Williamtown with three officers and 36 other ranks. New CO WGCDR B Mouatt began his Hornet conversion course and re-building Squadron's assets & people.
		29 Aug 1986 F/A-18 Hornets arrive	2 Hornets, flown by WGCDR B. Mouatt & SQNLDR R. Fox flown from Avalon to Williamtown; Squadron 1st to get F/A18s.
		8-12 Sep 1986 '60 Minutes' TV program produced	3 Squadron (now with 10 pilots) worked with TV producers to demonstrate Australia's newly-acquired high-technology aircraft.
		25 Jun 1987 1st 2 seater F/A-18	Highly-valued (for training) dual seater arrived. Squadron strength was now 152 personnel and settled at Williamtown.
WGCDR R. B. Treloar AM 14/12/87 -		Feb 1988 Hornet v Honda	Covered by TV cameras, Wayne Gardner's 500cc GP Honda raced a Hornet over a 1/4 mile sprint; the Hornet won.
		23 May 1988 Mach 1.6 achieved. (Whoops!)	Three Hornets (nameless pilots) accelerated over southern NSW; caused broken windows & earthquake reports; CO not amused.
WGCDR David A. Pietsch 1/3/90 - 12/1/93		10 Sep 1990 Sentimental Visit to Butterworth	For 40 days of exercises, 10 Hornets and support personnel returned to Butterworth for the first time since the Mirage days. Deployments to Butterworth have now become a regular feature of the Squadron's calendar, as have exercises in New Zealand, other parts of SE Asia, and the USA.
WGCDR B. P. Crowhurst 12/1/93 - 5/5/95 WGCDR K. W. Rushworth CSM 5/5/95 - 7/3/97 WGCDR G. C. Brown 7/3/97 - 13/12/99 WGCDR Neil C. Hart 13/12/99 - 1/3/2003 WGCDR Mike Kitcher 1/3/2003 - 09/12/2005 WGCDR Vincent ("Joe") Iervasi OAM 09/12/2005 - 12/12/2008 WGCDR Terry van Haren DSM Since 12/12/2008		TODAY	The last two decades of peacetime service have seen a continuation of the regular "exercise" deployments to Northern Australia and overseas. The "classic" F/A-18 is still in service, but with many upgrades to avionics and weapons.
	Williamtown is still HOME ...
COMMANDING OFFICERS	LANDING GROUNDS	SIGNIFICANT DATES	EVENTS ...

- 3 Squadron HISTORIC DATES - - COMMANDING OFFICERS - - and BASES -

- 3 Squadron HISTORIC DATES -
- COMMANDING OFFICERS -
- and BASES -