No. 87 Squadron RAAF

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The pilot and navigator of a No. 87 Squadron Mosquito returning from a mission in 1945

No. 87 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force air intelligence squadron. The Squadron saw action during World War II as a photo reconnaissance squadron.

[edit] Squadron history

No. 87 Squadron was formed on 10 September 1944 at Coomalie Creek Airfield 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 was reactivated as an air intelligence squadron on 1 July 2006. The Squadron's headquarters is located at RAAF Base Edinburgh and Intelligence Flights from the squadron are stationed at most major RAAF bases. In August 2007 the Squadron had a strength of 147 permanent and reserve personnel stationed at six different bases.[1]

[edit] Aircraft operated

• CAC Wirraway (September 1944-July 1946?)
• De Havilland Mosquito (September 1944-July 1946, March 1948-December 1953)

1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit appears to have operated a small number of F-4 Lightning aircraft in 1942.

[edit] References

• RAAF Museum 87 Squadron
• Steve Eather (1995) Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Aerospace Publications.
• RAAF News Back to the Future
• RAAF News 87SQN's First Bite
• RAAF News Intel on target