Flying Cat comes back
"It felt as if we were bridging the gap between 11SQN’s wartime past and present day operations"

Members of Crew 5 from 11SQN have a look at the old Catalina flying boat after it arrived at RAAF Base Darwin from France.

NO. 26 (City of Newcastle) Squadron has held a ceremonial parade to commemorate the awarding of the trophy as the most proficient Reserve Squadron for a second year in a row.

CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston reviewed the parade, hosted by Officer Commanding Combat Reserve Wing Group Captain Monty Smith at RAAF Base Williamtown on August 30.

26SQN Commanding Officer Squadron Leader Paul Burnham said the Air Force Association Trophy had only once before been presented to the same reserve squadron two years in a row, and it was 26SQN on that occasion as well.

“This is an outstanding achievement that reflects the high standards demonstrated by the members of 26SQN.
They should feel proud of themselves at this confirmation that 26SQN is the most efficient RAAF Reserve Squadron,” he said.

26SQN has a strength of four Permanent Air Force staff and 187 Reserve members.

Over the past 18 months, a significant number of Squadron members have backfilled positions at Williamtown for personnel deployed on operations and exercises.

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