Contents
Key Facts
| Short Name: | ATS |
| Nickname: | unknown |
| Main Role: | Transport |
| Secondary Role: | n/a |
| First Formed: | n/a |
| Parent Unit: | Air Operations Element |
| Current Status: | Disbanded |
History
The Air Transport Squadron of the PNG Defence Force was formed circa 1985, when sufficent aircraft had been obtained to establish a dedicated unit. In 1988 the arrival of the IAI Arava allowed the squadron to be sub-divided into two flights – ‘A’ Flight operating the Arava and ‘B’ Flight operating the N.22 Nomad.
A serious decline in aircraft serviceability during the 1990s led to the two flights being merged back into the squadron command structure and eventually the squadron itself being merged back into Air Operations Element.
Subordinate Units
‘A’ Flight [1988-1995]
‘B’ Flight [1988-1995]
Aircraft
| Type | Qty | Service | Example Serials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas C-47B | 6 | 1975 – 1988 | P2-001, P2-005 |
| Piper PA-23 Aztec | 1 | 197? – 198? | P2-010 |
| GAF N22B Nomad | 6 | 1977 – 1998 | P2-011, P2-015 |
| IAI Arava 201 | 3 | 1985 – 2008 | P2-021, P2-023 |
| Bell UH-1H Iroquois | 5 | 1989 – 1998 | P2-0401, P2-0405 |
| CASA CN235M | 2 | 1991 – 1998 | P2-0501, P2-0502 |
Unit Markings
|
Air Transport Squadron |
|---|
Main Bases
| Base | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jacksons International Airport | 1985 – 1998 |
Photographs
None currently available.
More Information
References
- World Air Forces Directory 2013/14 (Mach III Publishing)
- wikipedia: Papua New Guinea Defence Force
Other Sources
To be added.
Fact: The AIR Transport Squadron was NOT formed ‘circa 1985’. ATS was a going concern operating former RAAF DC3’s out of the civil terminal in Lae, Morobe Province. GAF Nomads arrived and operated out of Lae from 1977.With the closure of Lae airport, there was talk of the Squadron going to Nadzab. Government policy decided that Port Moresby was to be the major location for the PNGDF. DC3’s and Nomads were made serviceable by controlled cannibalisation of parts and got to Moresby
where they basically deteriorated due to lack of funds.