No. 87 Squadron RAAF

The pilot and navigator of a No. 87 Squadron Mosquito returning from a mission in 1945 - AWM AWM NWA0818

No. 87 Squadron badge

Brief History

Raised in September 1944 from the earlier No 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit as an air intelligence squadron. Its predecessor was raised at RAAF Laverton on 8 Jun 942 operating Brewster F2A Buffalo aircraft which began operations from Hughes Airfield in the Northern Territory. Other aircraft used include P38 - Lightnings, and P-43 Lancers while the squadron moved to Coomalie Creek Airfield in late 1942. Missions were flown over Java, Balikpapan, Biak, the Halmahera islands and the Philippines.

Re-designated on 10 Sep 1944, the squadron continued to operate from Coomalie Creek Airfield utilising two CAC Wirraway and one De Havilland Mosquito. The Squadron's primary area of operation was the eastern islands of the then Netherlands East Indies. Other, less frequent flights were over Java and parts of South East Asia. At the completion of hostilities the unit continued to fly over Japanese held territory to monitor Japanese Army units until they were disarmed. In October 1945 the unit moved to Parkes in NSW where it was disbanded on 24 Jul 1946. The Squadron was re-activated in 2006 and remains a part of the intelligence gathering resources of the RAAF.

Battle Honours

• Darwin 1942–1944
• Pacific 1942–1945
• Dutch New Guinea 1945
• Borneo 1945
• Morotai 1945

Individual Honours

• 1 x Member of the Order of the British Empire;
• 4 x Distinguished Flying Cross; and
• 7 x Mentioned in Dispatches.

Ground Staff

• Kevin David Anderson 18 Jan 1945 - 7 Feb 1946