aircraft depot raaf maintenance unit royal_australian_air_force raaf formed march queensland prime function initially assembly combat aircraft united_states performed salvage operations took role base depot responsible heavy maintenance raaf jet bombers following entry service 1970s began maintaining upgrading swing wing bomber boeing helicopters merged maintenance squadron march form wing maintained disbanding history world war formed raaf station queensland march came control maintenance group depot temporary commanding officer squadron leader establishment main purpose assembly combat aircraft manufactured united_states weeks operation assembled bell fighters dozen medium bombers depot responsible inspection raaf role damaged aircraft units local area aircraft depot new_south_wales repair wing commander later group captain previously charge victoria assumed command june station dissolved july depot took role command control base war progressed australia largest aircraft maintenance facilities way station personnel equipment bound operations addition aircraft types assembled world war north american post war years heavy bomber wing squadrons arrived units february april aftermath world war continued command administer base establishment station headquarters wing converted october flew observation flights operation hurricane british atomic test australia responsible handling collect radioactive particles raaf jet bomber began replacing lincoln december responsible deep maintenance canberra involved stripping aircraft components process generally required years year complete depot performed deep maintenance sabre fighter service raaf crest approved june design featured cross unit home state queensland head gold red december january commanded group captain later chief air staff governor new south wales 1970s depot responsible maintenance raaf bell helicopters canberra bombers maintained leased raaf interim strike force pending delivery long delayed represented significant maintenance challenge undertaken raaf workshops extensively revamped new bomber entry service depot responsible major upgrades complex maintenance involving stripping airframe engines intermediate level carried maintenance squadron unit wing texas modified brought standard photographic reconnaissance modified remaining aircraft depot upgraded model standard delivered replace raaf original order lost accidents conducted red laser guided precision weapons targeting system upgrade took responsibility maintenance boeing helicopters entered service squadron based september depot familiarity dealing significant damage helicopters crashed following engine failure repairs completed 1980s organisation included maintenance management squadron individual flights responsible equipment engines mentioned including armament seal seal process sealing sealing fuel tanks depot undertook lasted months aircraft caused controversy owing hazardous working conditions ground crews brain damage personnel caused chemical exposure resulted class action cost australian government million damages march merged squadron form wing largest unit raaf comprising personnel depot completed disbandment june year wing continued provide deep maintenance logistics support awarded maintenance contract
No. 3 Aircraft Depot RAAF