| No. 5 Flight RAAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2010–current |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Role | Training |
| Part of | No. 82 Wing RAAF |
| Current base | RAAF Base Amberley |
| Engagements | War in Afghanistan (2001–present) |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Reconnaissance | IAI Heron |
No. 5 Flight is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft flight which was raised in January 2010.[1] It is located at RAAF Base Amberley and forms part of No. 82 Wing.[2] The flight is responsible for preparing Australian Defence Force personnel to operate the detachment of two RAAF IAI Heron unmanned aerial vehicles which are based at Kandahar in Afghanistan.[3] The flight's responsibilities include training personnel to operate the Herons in Australia and maintaining a detachment of personnel at Kandahar who operate the UAVs as part of Operation Slipper, Australia's contribution to the war in Afghanistan.[2][4] The RAAF acquired a third Heron during 2011 which No. 5 Flight uses to train UAV operators in Australia; prior to this time Heron operators were trained in Canada.[1][3] The RAAF's Air Force newspaper reported in May 2011 that No. 5 Flight comprises a "handful of members".[3]