F/A-18A A21-13, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown by Juanita Franzi

F/A-18 Classic Hornet Series

Size - A3

Code P0016-13

F/A-18A A21-13, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown

3 Squadron celebrated its 90^th anniversary in 2006 with a special scheme on A21-13.

The scheme was updated for the squadron's 95^th anniversary.

Includes 3 Squadron, 81 Wing and ACG badges.

A21-13, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown

No. 3 Squadron is one of the RAAF's oldest units, having been formed in September 1916. The squadron saw combat over the western front in World War 1, and in North Africa, Italy, and the former Yugoslavia during World War 2.

From 1958, No. 3 Squadron was based in Malaya as part of the Five Power Defence Arrangement flying CAC Sabres and later the Dassault Mirage IIIO. In August 1986 it became the first operational unit to equip with the F/A-18A-B Hornet. The squadron contributed personnel and aircraft to the RAAF deployment to Diego Garcia in 2002 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Today, No. 3 Squadron is based at RAAF Base Williamtown. It is a combat unit of No 81 Wing which is responsible for the provision of combat air power to Australian and coalition forces through Offensive Counter Air and Defensive Counter Air operations using three squadrons of F/A-18 Hornets. 81 Wing is an element of Air Combat Group (ACG), the Force Element Group which commands all RAAF fast jet combat aircraft to deliver Australia's capability to control the air and conduct precision strikes.

For the 90th anniversary of the establishment of No. 3 Squadron a special colour scheme designed by Armament Technician, FLTSGT David Turnbull, was applied to A21-13. The markings were updated on the unit's 95th anniversary and the aircraft, a Block 17 AF/A-18A Hornet, appeared in the scheme depicted from 2012 until 2014.

Juanita Franzi

AERO ILLUSTRATIONS

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