No. 391 (Base) Squadron

Places
Commanding Officers
Decorations 1 OBE; 5 MBE; 2 BEM; 1 Associate of the Royal Red Cross; 28 MID
Conflict Korea, 1950-1953
References
  • Korea
  • Korea
  • Korea
Category Unit
Conflict Korea, 1950-1953
Unit hierarchy
Description

Although 77 Squadron was the best known RAAF squadron that served in the Korean War, it was not the only one. 391 (Base) Squadron, 30 Communications Flight, and 491 (Maintenance) Squadron also participated in the war. In October 1950 all RAAF units attached to the United Nations Command in Korea were regrouped into 91 (Composite) Wing. With the exception of 77 Squadron, which flew combat missions, the wing's other squadrons were based at Iwakuni in Japan.

Working closely with 491 (Maintenance) Squadron, 391 (Base) Squadron maintained, repaired, and, if necessary, replaced RAAF aircraft. 391 and 491 Squadrons played a vital role in supporting 77 Squadron and 30 Unit ground crew by undertaking more complex maintenance operations.

The official historian of Australia's involvement in the Korean War, Robert O'Neill, considered that the level of technical support achieved by the RAAF in Korea and Japan was "outstanding". Maintenance crews often worked up to 16 hours per day, achieving close to 100 per cent serviceability for the Mustangs and Meteors which allowed 77 Squadron to have a much great effect than a single US squadron.

391 Squadron was the first RAAF unit in the Korean War to use Japanese civilian technicians for maintenance. These technicians had been highly skilled workers during the Second World War but during the occupation were employed as cleaners or in other unskilled jobs. The Japanese were therefore pleased to again work on aircraft and willingly worked long hours.

In 1953, after the armistice, had been in force long enough to show it would be effective, the size of the Commonwealth forces in Korea were considerably reduced. Most RAAF units returned to Australin in late 1954 and early 1955. 391 Squadron was disbanded at Iwakuni on 30 April 1955.

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