No. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. From its formation in 1916, it has operated a variety of aircraft types including fighters, bombers, and Airborne Early Warning & Control.

History

The Squadron was formed in 1916 at Heliopolis, Egypt, and was heavily involved as a fighter unit during the Battle of Cambrai.

It operated as a bomber squadron in World War II in the Pacific theatre, the Malayan Emergency (flying Avro Lincolns and later English Electric Canberras) and the Vietnam War (again flying Canberras).

After Vietnam, 2 Squadron was based at RAAF Amberley, west of Brisbane, Queensland, until its disbandment in 1982. In the later years of the Canberra bomber's RAAF operations it was predominately used for target towing and aerial mapping using call sign Magpie in recognition of the squadron's emblem.

The Squadron was re-formed in 2000 to operate Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft procurred as part of Project Wedgetail, out of RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal.

References