On the 8 March 1948 No 3 tactical reconnaissance squadron was formed at Fairbairn RAAF base Canberra. The SQN was equipped with Mustangs, Austers and Wirraways. The Austers were used as Forward Air Control for the Mustangs. The number of personnel never exceeded 60, even thou the establishment was for 80. By 1952 the role of the SQN changed to that of training Army pilots. On the 15 June 1953 the unit was redesignated as a day fighter SQN with no establishment, the Mustangs being flown to Tocumwal for disposal and all other assets being transferred to No 16 (AOP) flight of the Army.

• George McLellan.

• William Wray,
• Peter Shinnick,

• Beau Waters,
• William Hunter,

• George Morgan,
• J.J. Smith.

As part of the formation of No 78 Wing 3SQN was reformed out of the Sabre Trails Flight from within 2OCU. The Sabre was a local development of the North American F-86 and incorporated the more powerful Rolls Royce Avon engine and fitment of 30mm cannons. During it’s time at Williamtown the SQN deployed to Laverton and Townsville and formed an Aerobatic team. On the 15 October 1958 ground personnel began to depart for Butterworth, with the Sabres leaving Williamtown on the 27 October 1958, staging through Darwin, Biak on Mokmer Island, Guiuan in the Philippines and Labuan in Borneo before arriving in Butterworth.

Once settled in at Butterworth the SQN made regular deployments to such places as Tengah in Singapore and Clark AFB in the Philippines. During 1959 3SQN Sabres dropped 500lb bombs on communist terrorists in the Malayan jungle, more strikes were conducted up until the 23 September 1960. Whilst on a deployment to Bangkok the SQN stopped in Saigon, the French arrived in Super Mysteres at nearly zero feet and above Mach 1, shattering thousands of windows. Whilst in Butterworth the Sabres flew against many types of aircraft including USAF F86D/Fs, F100Fs, F105s and RAF Victors, Javelins and Hunters. The last Sabre mission was flown on the 31 January 1967 with the SQN returning to Williamtown on the 15 February 1967.

• Len Gardiner,

• Ray Gant.

The above members were in Butterworth from 1958 to 1959, there were no records
for members in the years 1959 to 1967.