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No. 77 Squadron RAAF facts for kids

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No 77 Sqn RAAF pilots Feb 2010
Pilots of No. 77 Squadron in their F/A-18 Hornets, 2010

No. 77 Squadron is a special group of pilots and planes in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). They fly powerful F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from a base called RAAF Williamtown in New South Wales, Australia. They are part of a bigger group called No. 81 Wing.

A Brief History of No. 77 Squadron

The squadron started in 1942 during World War II. They were based at RAAF Pearce in Western Australia. During the war, they flew P-40 Kittyhawk planes. They fought in the Pacific Theatre, which was the part of the war in the Pacific Ocean.

After the war, the squadron received new P-51 Mustang planes. They even went to Japan for a while.

Fighting in Korea

In 1950, the squadron went to Korea to help the United Nations. They were fighting against North Korea. While there, they started flying fast Gloster Meteor jet planes. They were very successful, shooting down five enemy MiG-15 jets. They also destroyed many buildings and vehicles on the ground.

New Planes and New Missions

When the squadron returned to Australia in 1956, they got new CAC Sabre jets. In 1958, they went to Malaya. They helped the Commonwealth forces there. They stayed in Malaya, helping to keep the country safe until 1969.

After that, they moved back to Williamtown. They received new Mirage jets. Then, in 1987, they upgraded to the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.

Recent Operations and Future Plans

No. 77 Squadron has continued to serve Australia. They went to Afghanistan in 2001 and again in 2015. In 2021, they will get even newer and more advanced planes. These will be the F-35 Lightning fighters.

What They Do and What They Fly

Today, No. 77 Squadron flies F/A-18 Hornet jets. They received these powerful planes in 1987. Their main job is to protect the skies over New South Wales. They are always ready to defend Australia.

Images for kids

  • 77 Sqn RAAF pilots & Kittyhawk (AWM NWA0019)

    Pilots of B Flight, No. 77 Squadron, including Flying Officer John Gorton (back row, fourth from left) with a P-40 Kittyhawk in the Northern Territory, January 1943

  • No. 77 Squadron Kittyhawk 1943 (AWM P01370.011)

    No. 77 Squadron Kittyhawks at Milne Bay, 1943

  • F-51Ds 77 Sqn RAAF at Iwakuni c1950

    No. 77 Squadron P-51 Mustang fighters undergoing maintenance at Iwakuni, Japan, c. 1950

  • Lou Spence of 77 Sqn RAAF (AWM JK1019)

    Wing Commander Lou Spence, commanding No. 77 Squadron, prior to a mission over Korea, August 1950

  • No. 77 Sqn RAAF in Korea (AWM JK0024) (cropped)

    Squadron Leader Dick Cresswell (centre), on his third tour commanding No. 77 Squadron, briefs Meteor pilots at Kimpo prior to a mission over North Korea, August 1951

  • No. 77 Sqn RAAF Meteor in Korea (AWM JK0072)

    No. 77 Squadron Meteor at Kimpo preparing for a bomber escort mission over North Korea, 1951

  • 77 Sqn (AWM JK1025)

    No. 77 Squadron pilots and their Meteors at Kunsan, South Korea, June 1954. The nose section of aircraft A77-368 later went on display at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

  • Sabre Mk32s RAAF in Thailand early 1960s

    RAAF Sabres in Thailand, c. 1962

  • Two Mirage III of the Royal Australian Air Force

    No. 77 Squadron Mirages, September 1984

  • A21-49 YMAV 20130227 8642 (13102507125)

    No. 77 Squadron F/A-18 Hornet in 70th anniversary livery at the Avalon Airshow, Avalon, Victoria, 2013

  • No. 77 Squadron Meteors in flight 1952 (AWM JK0242 cropped)

    No. 77 Squadron Meteors over Iwakuni, Japan, 1952

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