No. 2 Security Forces Squadron RAAF

No. 2 Security Forces Squadron
Active1 October 1983 – present
BranchRAAF
RoleAir Force Infantry
Part ofCombat Support Group
Garrison/HQRAAF Base Amberley
Motto(s)Defend the Eyrie

No. 2 Security Forces Squadron (2 SECFOR) is an Australian military unit whose primary role is to protect and defend airfields, buildings, equipment, and personnel.

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.

History

Members of No. 2 Security Forces Squadron during a training exercise in Guam during 2022

The unit was formed on 7 April 1945 in Morotai. It was originally designated as "2 Aerodrome Defence Squadron" (2ADS). The unit saw action during World War II in Morotai, Labuan, Brunei, Borneo, Balikpapan and the Philippines. After the end of the war, on 29 October 1945 the squadron was disbanded.[citation needed]

The ADG was reformed in early 1966 as the "Aerodrome Defence Guard" (ADG) to meet the need to protect assets in the South East Asia area during the Vietnam War. By 1968 two hundred Air Defence Guard personnel were in service across South East Asia, alongside US forces.[citation needed]

The unit was reformed as No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond on 17 March 1983, and in 1989 it relocated to RAAF Base Amberley,[citation needed] where it is currently based.[1]

On 4 July 2013, the RAAF's security capability was reorganised.[2] Subsequently, 2AFDS was renamed No. 2 Security Forces Squadron.[3]

Operations

Structure

  • Headquarters Flight
  • Support Flight
  • 2 Permanent Rifle Flights Based in RAAF Amberley
  • 2 Reserve Rifle Flights Based in RAAF Amberley
  • Quick Reaction Flight, Motorised Rifle Flight equip with Bushmaster PMV's PAF Cadre Only
  • Airbase Protection Flight Reserve Personal Only, Based in RAAF Amberley
  • Detachment RAAF Base Darwin 1x MWD Section, 1x AFSEC Section 1x ADG Defence Section of 1 FSGT, 1 SGT & 1 CPL and Nth’ern Regional Cdr (SQNLDR) For RAAF Darwin & RAAF Tindal with the Deputy Regional Cdr a FLTLT Ground Defence Officer
  • Detachment RAAF Base Tindal
  • Detachment RAAF Base Townsville

References

  1. ^ "Airfield Defence Guard". Defence Jobs. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  2. ^ "1 Security Forces Squadron". RAAF Base Wagga Magazine. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Structure of the RAAF". Royal Australian Air Force. Retrieved 13 January 2018.