Fly Past

THE WAY WE WERE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE 79 SQUADRON

104 FLYPAST November 2018

units, 25 (City of Perth) Squadron,
to flying status in 1990.
On July 1, 1998, 79 Squadron
was re-formed to assume the task
with 25 reverting to its non-flying
support role. Commanded by Wg
Cdr Graham Rowe, the unit flew
Australian-built Macchi MB.326H
jet trainers from Pearce, Western
Australia to provide initial tactical
training to new RAAF pilots and
navigators destined for the F-111 and
F-18. Students joined the squadron
for a period of fighter combat and
tactical work before moving to
Williamtown, New South Wales,
for further instruction. The unit
also provided refresher training
for experienced fast jet pilots, and
79’s Sqn Ldr Keith Dybing received
a rarely awarded ‘A’ category as a
Qualified Flying Instructor.
Besides training, the Macchis
regularly participated in RAAF
exercises and provided fleet
support and air-defence training
to Royal Australian Navy vessels.
These movements proved useful
but challenging scenarios for the
trainee aircrews.
The 30-year-old Macchis were
soon deemed obsolescent. To
provide more effective fighter

training, the RAAF ordered Hawk

Mk.127 trainers equipped with

modern glass cockpits and flight

systems. In March 2000, Wg Cdr

P D Campbell became CO and the

first of its capable new Hawks

arrived at Pearce on December 7.

The last of the long-serving

Macchis was withdrawn on March

16, 2001, and the Hawks were

a vast improvement, offering

advanced systems and tailor-made

avionics developed to emulate the

equipment in the RAAF’s latest F/A-

18s. The new trainers also provided

much improved weapon system

training for pilots and navigators

destined for the RAAF’s F-111 force.

The squadron is today organised

into three flights – Training,

Operations and Maintenance. The

former runs Introductory Fighter

Courses (IFCs) for newly trained

aircrew, while Operations Flight

is responsible for advanced jet

training, allowing the students

to develop their flying and

leadership skills. It also delivers

fleet support to the navy and close

air support training to the army.

Maintenance Flight is responsible

for engineering and logistics.

The content of the training

courses has evolved to match

new frontline types. The IFCs now

prepare trainee fighter pilots and

weapon system officers for the

step up to the RAAF’s fast jets,

the F/A-18A Hornet, F/A-18F Super

Hornet, EA-18G Growler and, on the

horizon, the F-35A Lightning II.

Currently led by Wg Cdr Neville

O’Donnell, 79 Squadron is enjoying

its longest continuous period

of existence and looks to the

future with confidence, proud of

its heritage and providing a vital

element to the combat efficiency

of the RAAF’s frontline units.

“Currently led by Wg Cdr Neville O’Donnell, 79 Squadron is enjoying its longest

continuous period of existence and looks to the future with confi dence...”

Battle Honours

The following Battle Honours have been awarded: Pacifi c 1943-1945, New Britain

1943, Morotai, Thai-Malay.

The overall grey alternate colour scheme is worn by Macchi A7-044, which awaits its next sortie at

Tindal during Exercise Pitch Black, July 1998. R DRUM

Three Macchi MB.326Hs, including A7-066 in
the old colour scheme, fl ying low over the
sea during Exercise Pitch Black on August 15,

1998. R DRUM