LACW Robin Hunt, 32SQN Equip, escorts an ex member through the photographic memorabilia at the 60th Anniversary held in the HS748 Hangar.

No.32 Squadron celebrated 60 years of proud achievements from World War II to the present with a parade of Squadron personnel at RAAF Base East Sale recently.

The occasion was marked with a flypast of Hawker Siddley 748 and Beechcraft Kingair 200 aircraft.

Memories of 32SQN's formation year and its rapid insurgence into WWII were upper most in the minds of the veterans who attended the 60th anniversary celebrations.

Hastily formed in Port Moresby on 21 February 1942 in the face of advancing Japanese forces, 32SQN flew Royal Australian Air Force Hudson aircraft in the maritime, reconnaissance and ground attack role, and commenced bombing operations on the very day of the SQN's formation.

In 1943, the Hudson aircraft were replaced with Beauforts, and the SQN was eventually disbanded on 30 November 1945.

32SQN was reformed at East Sale on 1 July 1989, and today operates in support of the School of Air Navigation and in a transport role. 'They need flying classrooms to do it and we fly the aircraft,' WGCDR Newman said. 'If war broke out, training must continue and our anticipated role would be exactly what we are doing today,' he said.

In July 1995, 32SQN was reorganised following amalgamation with Maintenance Squadron East Sale.

About 120 personnel belong to 32SQN, including aircrews, maintenance and administrative support.

The Squadron has 30 pilots who are separated into A Flight and B Flight, which fly in the 10 HS748 and four B200 aircraft respectively every day of the working week.

32SQN's stint in New Guinea involved frequent high-risk encounters with enemy aircraft and shipping, resulting in many aircraft returning to base with casualties on board.

During 1942, the Squadron's Hudson aircraft located a Japanese aircraft carrier and other warships - information that proved to be of great value to allied commanders during the Battle of the Coral Sea.

In the critical ground campaign of 1942, 32SQN, already heavily committed to reconnaissance and attack operations, began hazardous supply drops to Australian troops.

32SQN battle honours include New Guinea 1942, Moresby 1942, Milne Bay, Pacific 1942, Rabaul 1942 and Coral Sea 1942.

Story by Peter Meehan
Photographs by CPL Katrina Johnson