No. 2 Security Forces Squadron (2 SECFOR) is a Royal Australian Air Force military ground defence unit whose primary objective is to protect and defend Australian airfields, buildings, air force assets and installations, both domestic and overseas, alongside all personnel residing on bases, by deterring, detecting and countering attacks from enemy forces.
Headquartered at RAAF Base Amberley, the No. 2 Squadron provides security and air base defence in support of domestic air base operations across all permanent RAAF bases in Queensland and the Northern Territory. The Squadron also deploys to provide security and air base defence for expeditionary air base operations globally.
Crest The squadron's crest is a crossed rifle and sword surmounted by a wedge-tailed eagle in flight. The crossed rifle and sword is symbolic of the ground defence specialisation and represents both the offensive and defensive nature of ground defence within the Air Force and its inherent need to provide close-in and far-reaching security to counter hostile ground forces, with the motto: Defend the Eyrie.
History
Origins and Second World War The Squadron traces its origins to the establishment of a Defence Pool by the Royal Australian Air Force’s First Tactical Air Force at Noemfoor in the Dutch East Indies in late December 1944. This Defence Pool was organised by Squadron Leader Thomas T. McLaughlin, who was serving as the Staff Officer Defence for First Tactical Air Force. A Defence Pool was a temporary RAAF ground defence organisation formed to provide close protection of air force installations in forward operational areas until permanent airfield defence units could be established. Its purpose was to provide close protection for RAAF installations operating under the command of First Tactical Air Force. The formation of the Defence Pool followed an order issued on 29 October 1943 that placed responsibility for the protection of all installations under their control on Air Officers Commanding. Personnel for the Defence Pool were drawn from members within the First Tactical Air Force itself.
Prior to this change, RAAF guard personnel were carried on the posted strength of the Security Guards Unit, which was based at Livingstone Airfield near Darwin. That unit was responsible for training and supplying guards to protect operational bases and airfields across northern Australia and the South Pacific. After October 1943, the Security Guards Unit shifted its focus to deploying mobile air defence instructor teams, which were tasked with training guards and instructors at remote locations. In early 1945, a detachment from the Noemfoor Defence Pool moved to Morotai where it established a camp in advance of the arrival of the Defence Pool’s main body. On 28 March 1945, a decision was taken to disband the Defence Pool, and orders were issued directing all guards to return to their parent units. All barracks and equipment were transferred to No. 11 Communication Unit, with only the Defence Pool’s Commanding Officer and a small staff remaining in camp.
On 10 April 1945, No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron was formed at Morotai, and postings of headquarters staff and guard personnel followed immediately. Commanded by Flight Lieutenant John C. Fullerton, the Squadron established a Headquarters Company and five Rifle Companies. Training commenced in preparation for deployment in support of Borneo Campaign designated as Operation Oboe, a planned series of amphibious assaults against Japanese forces in Borneo and surrounding islands. A (Rifle) Company received instruction in weapons, mines, and military tactics before departing Morotai in late April to take part in Operation Oboe One. At the same time, B (Rifle) Company organised and prepared for deployment on Operation Oboe Six, while D (Rifle) Company undertook preparations for Operation Oboe Two. C and D (Rifle) Companies were assigned to garrison duties at Morotai and to support No. 80 Wing respectively.
On 1 May 1945, A (Rifle) Flight participated in the initial landing on Tarakan Island off the coast of Borneo as part of Operation Oboe One. In the early hours of 5 May, Leading Aircraftman Thomas J. Irvine became the Squadron’s first fatal casualty when he was killed during a skirmish with an enemy infiltration party while manning a guard post on the outskirts of the bivouac area used by RAAF construction units. Other members of A (Rifle) Flight responded quickly, routing the enemy force and killing three of the enemy. During subsequent Operation Oboe landings at the Battle of Labuan and Battle of Balikpapan, the Squadron’s Rifle Flights, also referred to as Companies, were responsible for protecting critical Allied assets, including aircraft, bulk fuel installations, and major headquarters. The Squadron also worked alongside Australian Army units to provide wider airfield defence, including protection for isolated elements such as airfield construction detachments and radar sites. Following the cessation of hostilities in the Pacific in August 1945, No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron was disbanded on 29 October 1945.
Post-war and reformation 1950's-1970s The Squadron was re-raised in late 1951 at Western Junction, Tasmania with the task of training National Service personnel for the Korean War. It did not become operational and was disbanded on 12 September 1952. No. 1 Airfield Defence Squadron, which had been re-formed in July 1951, was also disbanded in July 1953. After the disbandment of both units, independent airfield defence squadrons ceased to exist for approximately three decades, although the RAAF continued to retain aerodrome defence officers and instructors. The airfield defence guard mustering was revived in 1965, but without the formation of dedicated squadrons. During this period, airfield defence guards served in combat on operations during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, Thai-Malay border, and the Vietnam War.
Modern re-establishment No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron was re-formed on 17 March 1983 at RAAF Base Richmond under the command of Squadron Leader James B. H. Brown. Existing airfield defence guard flights (companies) located at RAAF Base Williamtown, Amberley, and Fairbairn were absorbed into the Squadron and designated as Nos. 2, 3, and 4 Rifle Flights respectively. The Squadron operated in a highly dispersed manner, with elements based at Richmond, Williamtown, and Amberley. Despite this dispersion, the unit soon established a regular program of training and exercises, including participation in joint activities with the Australian Army.
Between March 1987 and April 1988, personnel of No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron below the rank of sergeant were temporarily reassigned from their operational duties to perform gate guard functions at RAAF Bases Richmond, Williamtown, and Amberley. This period had a significant negative impact on Squadron morale. Differences in organisational culture and working practices also strained relationships between Squadron members and base security management and staff. In April 1988, airfield defence guard flights returned to their normal duties, an outcome that was widely welcomed. However, after more than a year without operational training or exercises, skills had declined and required rapid remediation to meet upcoming exercise commitments.
From December 1988 to January 1989, the dispersed elements of the Squadron relocated to RAAF Base Amberley, bringing the unit together in one location for the first time. This consolidation led to noticeable improvements in morale and discipline. The period that followed involved intensive operational training and exercises, including a deployment to RAAF Base Butterworth for an exercise with Malaysian forces. The increased training tempo resulted in a higher injury rate, and personnel with long-term medical conditions were subjected to employment standards reviews, leading to some discharges and re-musterings. Despite these challenges, the emphasis on developing operational skills proved effective, and in 1991 No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron was awarded the Gloucester Cup as the most proficient operational squadron, becoming the first non-flying unit to receive the award.
In July 1992, an Airfield Defence Wing and No. 1 Airfield Defence Squadron were established to train Ready Reserve airfield defence guards and ground defence officers. While Nos. 1 and 3 Airfield Defence Squadrons operated as Ready Reserve units, No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron remained a Permanent Air Force unit. In May 1992, it re-equipped with the F88 Austeyr assault rifle. On 22 April 1995, the Squadron exercised the Freedom of the City of Brisbane, marching through the city following the granting of that honour by the Lord Mayor of Brisbane.
East Timor, Middle East and peacekeeping operations 1999-2012 In 1999, to address the humanitarian and security crisis that took place in East Timor, the Squadron deployed to the country on 22nd September 1999, and were tasked with permanently securing and defending Komoro Airfield in Dili. In support of Operation Spitfire which involved the protected evacuation of personnel from the United Nations compound as part of the Australian-led International Force East Timor. No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron remained in East Timor as part of Combat Support Group’s contribution to Operations Warden and Stabilise for which it was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation in recognition of sustained outstanding service in March 2000. The citation reading, "For sustained outstanding service in warlike operations in support of the International Force for East Timor on Operations Warden and Operation Stabilise."
Following the commencement of the Iraq War, the Squadron, along with several other combat support units, provided personnel to the three deploying Expeditionary Combat Support Squadrons.
During 2005 and 2006, the Squadron contributed detachments to a number of assistance operations, including Operation Sumatra Assist in 2005, following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. In mid-April 2006, a rifle flight from the Squadron deployed as part of the Australian Defence Force contingent sent to the Solomon Islands, where it provided security at Henderson Field in Honiara following widespread civil unrest.
Later in early 2006, a rifle section from No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron was deployed to Islamabad, Pakistan, responsible for providing security and protection for the No. 86 Wing aircraft and all Australian personnel. The aircraft airlifted a 140 member medical and support team on the field, sent to provide support and humanitarian relief, during Operation Pakistan Assist, following the October 2005 Kashmir earthquake, that killed over 80,000 people. The support team treated over 9,500 patients and administered more than 4,000 inoculations.
The Squadron also deployed a detachment in support of Operation Astute in May 2006 to quell unrest and return stability during the 2006 East Timor crisis at Dill Airport. The Squadron also provided protection at RAAF Base Richmond during the transit of Pope Benedict XVI for World Youth Day in July 2008.
In 2008, during the War in Afghanistan members of the Squadron deployed on Operation Slipper as part of Security Detachment 13, attached to the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, between 8 March and 21 September. A second rotation of personnel deployed as part of Security Detachment 14, attached to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment from 15 September to December 2008. During these deployments, personnel were also responsible for securing the Australian Embassy and its staff within the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq. The Airfield Defence Wing was disbanded in 2007, and the three Airfield Defence Squadrons were reduced to two under the command of No. 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing.