21 Dec 2001
Motto: Compassion Skill Courage
The Health Services Wing was formed under the command of GPCAPT Amanda Dines on 21 December 2001. As part of the Combat Support Group, the Wing's headquarters are located at RAAF Base Amberley in South East Queensland
The Health Services Wing is responsible for providing a range of aerospace health capabilities for the joint forces. It comprises four squadrons: Nos 1 and 2 Expeditionary Health Squadrons, No 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, and the Health Operational Conversion Unit, as well as a Squadron Medical Element in Butterworth. The Wing's responsibilities include the development, management, and prioritisation of the distribution of all deployable RAAF health elements.
The Wing has been involved in a number of operations, including Anode (Solomon Islands), Northern Station (Australia), Pakistan Assist, Spire (Timor Leste), and Padang Assist (Indonesia). In 2018, members of the Wing carried out the longest-range strategic aeromedical evacuation of wounded in a Boeing C-17A from the Middle East.
In 2009, a restructure saw Nos 1 and 2 Expeditionary Health Squadrons, and No 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron renamed as Nos 1, 2, and 3 Expeditionary Health Squadrons, and No 4 Expeditionary Squadron was formed. Additionally, the Health Flight Services were transferred to the Health Services Wing. In 2013, a rebalancing saw No 4 Expeditionary Squadron disbanded and No 3 Expeditionary Squadron renamed to Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.
To learn more, see this extract from Units of the Royal Australian Air Force by Despina Tramoundanis.
Related base
- RAAF Base Amberley