No. 5 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF
| No. 5 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF | |
|---|---|
A No. 5 Airfield Construction Squadron bulldozer working in a coral quarry at Noemfoor Island during December 1944
|
|
| Active | 1942–1949 1951–1974 |
| Country |
 Australia
|
| Branch |
 Royal Australian Air Force |
| Role | Airfield construction |
| Engagements | Vietnam War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Arthur Mander Harrison (1945–1948, 1951–1959) |
No. 5 Airfield Construction Squadron (5ACS) was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) construction squadron. The unit was first formed in July 1942 and served in the New Guinea Campaign and Borneo Campaign during World War II. The squadron was one of only a few RAAF airfield construction units to be retained at the end of the war, and formed part of Australia's contribution to the occupation of Japan from 1945 until it was disbanded in June 1949. 5ACS was re-raised in August 1951 and worked on several RAAF airfields in Australia. In addition, it also provided small detachments of engineers to support RAAF deployments to South Vietnam and Thailand during the Vietnam War. The squadron was the RAAF's only airfield construction unit from 1961 onward, and was disbanded in December 1974.
On 7 July 1942, 250 men of No. 1 Mobile Works Squadron were detached from the unit while it was stationed at Ascot Vale, Victoria and organised into a new squadron intended to serve in New Guinea. This unit was designated No. 1 Mobile Works Squadron (Special Works Force), and arrived at Port Moresby on 7 August after a difficult voyage during which the ship carrying it from Australia it ran aground twice. The squadron began work constructing Wards Airfield on 14 August, and the first of the airfield's runways was ready for use three weeks later. The airfield's completion was delayed until January 1943 due to shortages of personnel and equipment, however. No. 1 Mobile Works Squadron (Special Works Force) was redesignated No. 5 Mobile Works Squadron (5MWS) on 16 November. In order to support Allied offensives in New Guinea 5MWS moved to Goodenough Island between late February and March 1943 where it constructed Vivigani Airfield. This facility initially comprised a 1,524-metre (5,000 ft) fighter runway and 1,829-metre (6,001 ft) bomber runway as well as headquarters, maintenance and logistics facilities. During March and April a detachment from the squadron also assisted No. 6 Mobile Works Squadron at Milne Bay. 5MWS departed Goodenough Island on 21 November for a period of rest and reconstitution in Australia.
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