3 Airfield Defence Squadron - 10th Anniversary Celebration

No. 3 Airfield Defence Squadron (3AFDS) is one of three Squadrons that make up the Airfield Defence Wing. 3AFDS was formed at RAAF Base Amberley on 01 Mar 1995. On formation it became the second of the Reserve Airfield Defence Squadrons on the RAAF Order of Battle. A Cadre staff of permanent members was posted to the unit, and the first Ready Reserve troops arrived in January 1996. Shortly after, the Ready Reserve Scheme was abandoned and the RAAF adopted the Ground Defence Reserve Group scheme. The unit today has a constrained establishment of 204 personnel of which 31 are permanent staff that occupy positions within Squadron Headquarters, Administrative and Logistics functions and two PAF Training Cadre.
This year, 3AFDS celebrates it’s 10^th Birthday. As part of the celebration the unit will be holding a function to honour its first decade in the RAAF. CO3AFDS, SQNLDR Simon Sauer extends an offer of invitation to all unit members past and present to attend this function.
The function is to be held at the 3AFDS compound on 1 March 05, starting at 1500hrs. Cost will be approximately $20.00.
Dress for the function will be SD 1C (Short sleeve shirt and SD pants) for defence personnel, neat casual (Collared shirt and trousers) for civilians.
The function activities are as follows:
–      1500- CO3AFDS address on unit and unit tour

–      1600- Opening of the 3AFDS ‘Ken Lovell Club’ unit bar

–      1800- Dinner

RSVP to FLGOFF Belinda Hagen, 3AFDS Admino, 18 February 05 on (07) 546 14957 or E-mail: Belinda.Hagen@defence.gov.au

WERE YOU IN DARWIN ON 19TH FEBRUARY 1942?

CoJo Productions in association with the ABC is producing a documentary on the bombing of Darwin. We would like to talk to any people who were present on the day of the raid. This is an amazing piece of Australian history which is still shrouded in myths and half truths. Only the people who were there really know what happened.

CAN YOU HELP US?

CoJo Productions is also in pre-production on a two hour VJ Special documentary which deals with the comraderie of Australian and American forces in the South West Pacific Area of Operations. We would like to hear the experiences of those who worked alongside the Americans.

Please contact Pru Colville or Jon Matthews on (02) 9571 4631 or email cojo@talent.com.au

CAN YOU HELP?
Did you take part in the Berlin Airlift?
I am writing a story on Australian airmen who took part in the Berlin Airlift from 1948 to 1949 and would like to make contact with veterans or family members of veterans from RAAF No. 86 Transport Wing’s 36 and 38 Squadrons.
I am particularly interested in obtaining personal accounts and photographs of Australians involved the airlift.
Contact Patrick Keneally on 0405 147 845 or email pkeneally@fpccourier.com.au

CAN YOU HELP!

For possible book, I would like to contact any Pilots/Ground Crew involved in attacks on V2 sites in Holland from September 1944 to March 1945. In particular, 451 and 453 Squadrons of the RAAF, but also any members of other units - eg. 229/603, 602 and 124 Squadrons.

Please contact: Bill Simpson, 10B Boswall Road, Edinburgh EH5 3RH, United Kingdom
Telephone: 44 131 551 2790 - Email: bill@simpson-family99.fsnet.co.uk