No. 21 Squadron RAAF

No. 21 Squadron RAAF
A No. 21 Squadron Wirraway in 1940
Active	1936–current
Branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Role	Air base operations and reserve training
Part of	No. 396 Combat Support Wing RAAF
Garrison/HQ	RAAF Williams Laverton Base
Motto(s)	Coronat Victoria Fortes (Victory Crowns the Brave)
Commanders
Notable commanders	Charles Eaton (1937–38)

No. 21 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) general reserve squadron. Formed in the mid-1930s as a unit of the part-time Citizen Air Force (CAF), it was mobilised for service during World War II, when it saw action against the Japanese as a fighter unit in the Malayan campaign, a dive bomber unit in the New Guinea campaign, and a heavy bomber unit in the Borneo campaign. After the war, the squadron continued to fly until 1960, when the CAF ceased flying operations. At that time, No. 21 Squadron converted to a non-flying support role, which it currently fulfils at RAAF Williams.

No. 21 Squadron was formed at RAAF Station Laverton on 21 April 1936, as a Citizen Air Force (reserve) squadron. Under the command of Squadron Leader J.H. Summers, the squadron had a cadre of regular RAAF personnel who served alongside the part-time members of the CAF and initially operated a variety of aircraft including Hawker Demons, Westland Wapitis and de Havilland Gipsy Moths. With these aircraft, the squadron undertook several tasks. As a CAF squadron, training was its main role; its personnel were instructed in fighter tactics, bombing and army co-operation duties; they were also used for search-and-rescue tasks and public relations duties. The squadron also received Avro Ansons and Bristol Bulldogs in late 1936 and early 1937. In May 1937, Charles Eaton took over as squadron commander.

Following the outbreak of World War II, the squadron was mobilised and its personnel placed on full-time service. The tempo of training increased as the squadron was brought up to strength and prepared for its first operational missions. This came on 15 December when aircraft from the squadron were assigned to convoy escort duty. Following this, the squadron undertook similar missions in the Great Australian Bight, providing protection for ships sailing for Europe. Initially, the squadron operated Demons, Ansons, Avro Cadets and a North American NA-16; shortly afterwards it was re-equipped with the Australian-built CAC Wirraway and switched to an army co-operation role.