From 2000 to 2003 , No . 77 Squadron flew the FAC PC-9s previously operated by No . 76 Squadron ; this role was subsequently assigned to the newly formed Forward Air Control Development Unit . A detachment of No . 81 Wing , consisting of Hornets from No . 75 Squadron and PC-9s from No . 77 Squadron , was prepared to support INTERFET operations in East Timor between September 1999 and February 2000 , but was not required . Following the September 11 attacks in 2001 , Hornets from both No . 3 and No . 77 Squadrons were deployed for air defence at the USAF base on Diego Garcia ; no combat ensued and the planes returned in May 2002 . That year , Hornets from No . 75 Squadron undertook combat air patrols in connection with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Queensland
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
No. 81 Wing RAAF