No. 32 Squadron

Royal Australian Air Force

Formed: 21Feb42

Disbanded: Nov45

Re-formed: Jul89

Details

The squadron began life on the 21st of February, 1942, at Seven Mile Aerodrome, near Port Moresby, New Guinea. It was initially equipped with Lockheed Hudsons and was soon involved in a range of roles including ground attack, reconnaissance, supply flights, evacuations and maritime missions. One of the squadrons aircraft discovered the Japanese fleet which was heading towards Port Moresby and was subsequently turned back in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Late in 1942 the squadron was withdrawn to Camden in Australia and their main role whilst based here was anti submarine patrols. During their stay at Camden, the squadron re-equipped with Beauforts. The squadron had one more move (May 1944) to Lowood in Queensland and was disbanded there on the 18th of November, 1945. The squadron was reformed again on the 1st of July, 1989 and was equipped with 8 HS748s which were transferred from the School of Air Navigation and 2 others from 34 Squadron. The main role of the squadron is support for the School of Air Navigation but it also carries out various other tasks as required. Some of the HS748s were retired in 1997 and 1998 and some King Airs were leased to replace them.