No 4 Forward Air Control Flight formed

On this day No 4 Forward Air Control Flight was formed as an independent unit at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, to train RAAF, RAN and Army pilots in all facets of Forward Air Control (FAC) work. The unit commenced with four CAC Winjeel aircraft fitted with radios compatible with Army tactical networks, smoke grenade dispensers for target marking, and an establishment of just two personnel. It flew its first mission in conjunction with the Army at Singleton, NSW, on 6 April, using aircraft A85-413. The Australian-designed and built Winjeel had been the RAAF’s basic trainer since 1955. Although it had been planned to retire the type from 1968, it was still considered suitable for FAC work until replaced by the Pilatus PC-9 in 1994. While the Flight was disbanded in January 1989, the FAC function became the role of No 4 Squadron formed in 2009.