Army Air Dispatch

The first formalised British Commonwealth air dispatch capability dates from the New Guinea campaign of World War II.

"As far as research has resolved, the first airdrops in the New Guinea campaign took place on the 28th of July 1942 at Efogi and Kagi during the withdrawal to Kokoda. In early 1943 Colonel T.G. Millner MC. Deputy Director of Supplies and Transport resolved that air supply was to be an Australian Army Service Corps (AASC) responsibility."

During the Campaign in New Guinea the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Air Maintenance Companies, "The Biscuit Bombers", were formed from members of the Aust Army Service Corps and conducted aerial resupply operations in support of Australian and American Soldiers engaged in fighting Japanese forces. At the end of World War II the air dispatch units were disbanded. A small reserve contingent maintained the capability until reformation in 1960.

Air Despatch Companies were first formed within the British Army's Royal Army Service Corps in March 1944. This was in preparation for the upcoming D day landings and subsequent re-invasion of the European Contintent. These companies saw extensive action in Operation Market Garden, the largest airborne operation of all time.

October 1960 saw the raising and training of a Section of Regular Army Air Dispatchers, who formed a regular component of 39 Air Dispatch Platoon (Reserve) at Frenchmans Road Depot in Randwick, Sydney. In order to gain operational experience the Regular Army section of 39 AD Pl. was detached to 55 Company RASC (AD) in February 1961 for duty on the Malaya / Thailand Border. At that time duties of 55 Company RASC (AD) included the resupplying by air of the Commonwealth Brigade in their operations against the Communist Guerrillas. On returning to Australia the Regular Army Section carried out extensive parachute training plus logistic support force supply path finding duties. A second (Regular) Section was formed mid-1961 and detached to 55 Company RASC (AD) for duties on the Malaya / Thailand Border from February to May 1962. Both ARA sections were then sent to Singapore in May 1962 for international Exercise "Trumpeter", this was followed by heavy drop training at the Far East School of Land / Air Warfare. On return from Singapore in July 1962 a Regular Platoon of half strength was formed (40 AD Platoon) at Avoca Street Randwick using the 2 ARA Sections of 39 AD Pl. as the NCO base.

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