No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAAF

Graduates of No. 12 Course at No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAAF in 1943

No. 5 Operational Training Unit (5OTU) was an operational training unit of the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.

History

5OTU was formed at RAAF Base Forest Hill, Wagga Wagga on 26 October 1942 as a light bomber training unit equipped with Beaufort and Beaufighter aircraft. The unit was later equipped with Boston and Mosquito bombers and moved to Tocumwal in 1943 and RAAF Base Williamtown in 1944. After the disbandment of No. 4 Operational Training Unit (4OTU) at Williamtown on 30 April 1944, a small detachment from 4OTU was left behind at the base, pending the arrival of 5OTU. The detachment of 4OTU handed over RAAF Base Williamtown to a 5OTU detachment, which arrived on 1 May 1944. 5OTU became a crew conversion unit after the war and was disbanded in July 1947. 5OTU was reformed at Williamtown on 1 April 1970 to provide RAAF pilots with fast jet conversion training and was disbanded on 31 July 1971.

References

• RAAF Historical Section (1995), Units of the Royal Australian Air Force. A Concise History. Volume 8 Training Units. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. Pages 71–73.