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The Chief of Air Force has awarded personnel from No. 10 Squadron operating the AP-3C Orion (EW) at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, the Duke of Gloucester Cup in 2021 for the Most Proficient Flying Unit of 2020.
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Personnel from No. 10 Squadron have been recognised for maintaining a culture of excellence along with a number of significant achievements acknowledged in Air Force’s centenary year.
According to Wing Commander Marija Jovanovich, Commanding Officer at No. 10 Squadron, attitude and teamwork have been the the main contributors to the squadron’s success.
“The award recognises the impressive work conducted by all members of 10 Squadron throughout 2020, ranging from ICT support, maintenance, logistics, administration and aircrew,” WGCDR Jovanovich said.
It is the third time that the unit has received the Duke of Gloucester Cup since the award's inception in 1947.
“Significantly, the unit also sustained an intensive operational flying program in increasingly contested environments despite a complex set of ongoing challenges, including COVID-19,” WGCDR Jovanovich added.
“Throughout numerous deployments, 10 Squadron continues to receive exemplary feedback from national and allied intelligence and special operations communities, acknowledging the capability outcomes delivered for the joint force.”
The high tempo of support to operations has continued throughout 2021, including the overseas deployment of the unit’s commanding officer, personnel and aircraft.
No. 10 Squadron has also broken new ground in 2021, with an all-female executive appointed.
“I am really proud of our unit’s achievements, showcasing that there are no barriers or limits to what can be achieved in Air Force,” WGCDR Jovanovich said.
The evolution of the squadron together with the strength of today’s capability and culture can also be attributed to the men and women who built the foundations of the squadron from its earliest beginnings.
No. 10 Squadron was formed in 1939 and was the first British Commonwealth squadron to experience active service in World War II and the only RAAF squadron to see continuous active service for the entirety of the war. The squadron’s rich tapestry of aircraft include Sunderlands, Lincoln Bombers, Neptunes, and variations of P-3C Orion aircraft, including the two AP-3C (EW) aircraft it operates now.
It’s a remarkable achievement to consider Air Force has been flying the P-3 Orion aircraft for more than half of its 100 years.
Although the two AP-3C (EW) Orion airframes flown by No. 10 Squadron are approaching 40 years of service in the RAAF, their aircraft upgrades deliver an important airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance electronic warfare (ISREW) capability and are a driver of how ISREW operations will integrate into the future force.
“10 Squadron is proud to fly and achieve outstanding outcomes on the oldest currently serving operational aircraft in the RAAF inventory, however we are equally excited to embrace the future force as Air Force platforms continue to evolve and new technologies come online,” WGCDR Jovanovich said.
“The P-3 community is a passionate community and it has been the greatest privilege of my career to fly the aircraft, command the final P-3 squadron and play a small role in its long and distinguished operational history.”
[Related: Russia’s ongoing grey-zone warfare]
