 No. 77 Wing formed the attack component of No. 10 Operational Group ( No. 10 OG ) , which was established on 13 November 1943 . The group was to act as a mobile strike force capable of supporting Allied ground and naval units while they advanced against the Japanese in the South West Pacific Area ( SWPA ) , as distinct from the RAAF 's area commands in Northern Australia , which had a geographically based static defence function . Led by Wing Commander E.G. Fyfe , No. 77 Wing consisted of three flying squadrons operating Vultee Vengeance dive bombers , and various ancillary units . The Vengeances , which had only recently been acquired by Australia , equipped Nos. 21 , 23 and 24 Squadrons . They were to be protected on their attack missions by No. 10 OG 's fighter component , No. 78 Wing , operating Curtiss Kittyhawks . 
