No. 25 Squadron RAAF

No. 25 Squadron RAAF
An RAAF Aermacchi MB-326, flown by No. 25 Squadron until 1998
Active	1937–46 1948 – present
Country	Australia
Branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Role	Air Force Reserves
Part of	Combat Reserve Wing RAAF
Garrison/HQ	RAAF Base Pearce
Motto(s)	Defendo
Engagements	World War II
Commanders
Notable commanders	Raymond Brownell (1938–40) Neville McNamara (1957–59)

No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron is a general reserve squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is based at RAAF Base Pearce in Perth, Western Australia, and forms part of the Combat Reserve Wing. The squadron was formed in early 1937 and until early 1939 was designated as "No. 23 Squadron". During World War II, it provided local air defence for the Perth region, before undertaking Army co-operation duties in 1943–44 and then converting to the heavy bomber role in 1945. In the heavy bomber role, the squadron took part in operations against Japanese targets in the Netherlands East Indies and supported Allied ground operations during the Borneo Campaign. Following the end of hostilities, No. 25 Squadron was disbanded in mid-1946 but was re-raised two years later as a Citizen Air Force unit based out of Pearce. From 1948 the squadron's reservists flew jet fighters to provide air defence over Western Australia, but the squadron ceased flying duties in 1960 and switched to the ground support role. In 1989, flying operations resumed as No. 25 Squadron assumed responsibility for jet introduction training and fleet support; this role ceased in 1998 and since then the squadron has been tasked with providing a pool of trained personnel to the Air Force.

No. 25 Squadron was originally formed at RAAF Base Laverton in Victoria, on 3 May 1937 and was initially known as "No. 23 (City of Perth) Squadron". It was originally tasked with providing support for the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy, as well as pilot training. The squadron moved to RAAF Station Pearce in Perth, Western Australia, in 1938. The squadron's first commanding officer was Raymond Brownell. It was renamed No. 25 Squadron on 1 January 1939. Following the declaration of World War II, the squadron was allocated Australian built Wirraways, operating these in convoy protection and anti-submarine roles off the Western Australia coast around Fremantle and Rottnest Island. When Japan entered the war, the squadron also received some Brewster Buffaloes and with these two obsolete aircraft types, No. 25 Squadron was tasked with providing the air defence of Perth, amidst concerns of a possible Japanese invasion. The squadron was re-equipped with Vultee Vengeance dive bombers in August 1943, and once the threat of invasion passed, it began joint exercises with the Army.