 No. 79 Squadron was formed at RAAF Base Laverton in Victoria on 26 April 1943 under the command of flying ace Squadron Leader Alan Rawlinson . The squadron 's intended role was to use Spitfire Vc fighters to provide ' high cover ' escort for the RAAF 's P @-@ 40 Kittyhawk @-@ equipped units which were engaging Japanese forces in the New Guinea Campaign . This requirement was considered urgent , and the Chief of the Air Staff , Air Vice Marshal George Jones , directed that No. 79 Squadron receive priority for the RAAF 's limited stock of Spitfires . The squadron moved to Wooloomanata Aerodrome several days after it was formed , and received its first Spitfires on 3 May . While at Wooloomanata No. 79 Squadron undertook training exercises to prepare for combat . The allocation of 24 Spitfires to the squadron resulted in No. 1 Wing RAAF , which was stationed near Darwin and responsible for protecting the town against air attack , suffering a shortage of these aircraft during June and July . 
