No. 28 Squadron RAAF
{{short description|Royal Australian Air Force squadron}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=No. 28 Squadron RAAF
|image=File:No 28 Squadron RAAF Freedom of the City Parade passing Civic Square August 2013.jpg parade in August 2013]]
|caption=Members of No. 28 Squadron RAAF pass by Civic Square during the unit's Freedom of the City parade in August 2013
|branch= Royal Australian Air Force
|command_structure=Air Force Headquarters
|garrison=HMAS Harman
|role=Public affairs and imagery
|dates= 1983–2020
|commander1=
|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol_label=Callsign
}}
No. 28 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Active Reserve squadron, based at HMAS Harman in the Australian Capital Territory. Its main role was public affairs and imagery. The squadron was formed in 1983 and disbanded in 2020.
History
Raised on 1 July 1983 at RAAF Base Fairbairn,{{sfn|Barnes|2000|p=115}} the squadron relocated to HMAS Harman upon the closure of the Fairbairn in May 2004.{{cite web |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=pwc/hmas/submissions/sub1.pdf |author=Department of Defence |title=Provision of Facilities for the Australian Capital Territory Multi-User Depot |date=March 2002 |pages=2–4}} The squadron was initially designated as an Auxiliary unit, forming part of the Citizens Air Force, but this terminology was changed in September 1983, at which point the unit became an Active Reserve squadron.{{sfn|Barnes|2000|p=115}}
The squadron consisted of a small group of Regular personnel who administered the Reserve elements of the unit. The majority of the Reserve personnel were tasked with various base support and other roles including communications, information technology, intelligence, logistics, and planning. From 2012 the squadron also handled most of the RAAF's public affairs capability.{{cite news |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/Publications/NewsPapers/Raaf/editions/5718/5718.pdf |title=Squadron's service honoured |date=24 September 2015 |newspaper=Air Force News |page=2 |access-date=26 October 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Hamilton |first1=Eamon |title=Reformed bomber squadron takes on new role |url=https://news.defence.gov.au/capability/reformed-bomber-squadron-takes-new-role |website=Media release |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=15 February 2021 |date=15 February 2021}}
The squadron had a flight based at RAAF Wagga Wagga,{{cite web|url=http://airforce.gov.au/organisation/units/28sqn/index.htm |title=No 28 (City of Canberra) Squadron |publisher=Royal Australian Air Force |access-date=18 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517060922/http://www.airforce.gov.au/organisation/units/28sqn/index.htm |archive-date=17 May 2008 |url-status=dead }} which was raised in 1988. The squadron also operated the RAAF's hot air balloon until that function was transferred to the Central Flying School.{{sfn|Barnes|2000|p=115}}{{cite web |title=Air Force Balloon |url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/displays/balloon |publisher=Royal Australian Air Force |access-date=15 February 2021}}
On 11 September 2015, the squadron received the Governor General's banner for 25 years of service. During this period the unit had supported operations in Timor Leste, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Solomon Islands.
No. 28 Squadron was disbanded on 10 December 2020. Its public affairs function was transferred to No. 464 Squadron.{{cite web |title=Photograph 20201210raaf8185016_0097 |url=https://images.defence.gov.au/assets/Home/Search?Query=20201210raaf8185016_0097.jpg&Type=Filename |website=Defence Images |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=24 January 2021 |date=10 December 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Jay |first1=Courtney |title=Banner Day for 28SQN |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Air Force News |publisher=Department of Defence |date=4 February 2021 |page=5}}
References
=Citations=
{{commons category|No. 28 Squadron RAAF}}
{{reflist}}
=Bibliography=
- {{cite book |last=Barnes |first=Norman |title=The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons |year=2000 |location=St Leonards, New South Wales |publisher=Allen & Unwin |isbn=1-86508-130-2 }}
External links
- [https://www.shopraafmuseum.org.au/product/28-squadron-crest-canberra-copy/ No. 28 Squadron crest]
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{{List of RAAF Squadrons}}
Category:Military units and formations established in 1983
Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 2020