3 Squadron Events

Williamtown Family Day - Friday, September 23, 2011.

  3 Squadron’s 95th Birthday
Anniversary Colours Parade and Combined Family Day.

The Squadron's 95th Anniversary celebrations were held on Fri 23 September 2011 at Williamtown.  3SQN contributed to a major combined 95th Anniversary Parade with Nos.2 & 4 Squadrons [two other Squadrons with WW1 operational heritage] followed by a combined Family Day in the flight line and hanger areas.  The new Chief of Air Force and former 3SQN CO, Air Marshall Geoff Brown, was guest of honour.  Several historic aircraft were also organised for flying and static display on the day.

3SQN's new Colours are paraded in front of a WW1 Australian Flying Corps pennant while FA-18s fly past

3SQN Generations [photo: Newcastle Herald]

Jake Newham, a former 3SQN Sabre pilot in Malaya who later, as Squadron Commanding Officer in 1967, introduced the first 3SQN Mirages to service and went on to become Chief of Air Staff, reviews the parade backed by 3 Squadron's colours, with the newly-added Battle Honours:
"Malaya (Emergency) 1958-60"
and
"Malaysia (Confrontation) 1963-66".

FA-18 taxies through the high-pressure water wash after completing its display

A CAC Boomerang warbird (designed by former 3AFC pilot Lawrence Wackett during WW2) taxies off the flight-line

No.2 SQN's brand-new Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft (on static display) attracted a big crowd.

Memorabilia: A 3SQN crest hand-painted by Norm French, who in 1943 created the design that the Squadron's current logo is based upon. 
The medal ribbon for Norm's "Africa Star" is attached, with the rosette signifying service during the victorious advance from Alamein to Tunis in 1942-43.

3 Squadron Events