Tiger marks 60 years

Wing Commander Don Thornton with the anniversary colour scheme on the fin of a F/A-18.

IF you want to grab this tiger by the tail you will have to be able to travel at Mach speed.

The leaping tiger has pride of place on the tail of an F/A-18 flown by No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown, which recently celebrated 60 years since its formation.

Aircraft tail number A21-26 bears the symbolic design of a tiger springing into action, portraying the unit’s aim to develop in pilots a tenacity of purpose and ability to display aggressiveness when necessary.

2OCU Commanding Officer Wing Commander Don Thornton said these qualities were essential for young fighter pilots to develop before they could contribute to squadron responsibilities in peace or war.

Formed as No. 2 Operational Training Unit in 1942 at Port Pirie South Australia, the unit initially operated with Wirraways and Fairey Battles. Shortly after, it moved to Mildura, New South Wales, and was to acquire other aircraft including Kittyhawks, Vultee Vengeances, Avro Ansons, Boomerangs, Spitfires and Oxfords.

The unit became associated with RAAF Base Williamtown on the introduction of the Spitfire and was converted to a care and maintenance role at the end of the Pacific War.

Disbanded in 1947, it was re-formed at RAAF Base Williamtown in 1952. This was to satisfy an acute shortage of fighter pilots for the role No. 77 Squadron would play with the United Nations force in Korea.

In 1958 the unit was renamed No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit. It had already seen many aircraft types over the years including Vampires, Sabres, Mirages and Macchis.

2OCU received its first F/A-18 in 1985 and began pilot training the same year.

WGCDR Don Thornton said that 60 years was a significant milestone.

“Members should be proud of what the unit has accomplished over the last 60 years,” he said. “In particular I would like to pass on my appreciation to personnel from No. 3 Squadron Corrosion Control Facility. Their outstanding efforts with the design and paintwork on tail number A21-26 will be a big reminder of our anniversary year.”

Special thanks for the tail design goes to Flight Sergeant Shane Jensen and Corporal Jeffrey Peacock from No. 3SQN CCF.

Other celebrations have included an informal barbecue at RAAF Base Williamtown and an all-ranks dining-in night at RAAF Base Townsville when the unit was deployed on Exercise High Sierra.

• CPL Mark Eaton

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