No. 9 Operational Group RAAF
| No. 9 Operational Group RAAF | |
|---|---|
Personnel of No. 30 Squadron, part of No. 73 Wing, No. 9 Operational Group, with a Beaufighter in New Guinea, 1943 | |
| Active | 1942–44 |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Role | Fighter; ground attack |
| Size | Two combat wings |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Bill Garing (1942–43) Joe Hewitt (1943) Frank Lukis (1943–44) |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | Beaufort; Beaufighter |
| Bomber | Hudson; Boston |
| Fighter | Kittyhawk |
No. 9 Operational Group was a major Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) formation providing fighter, ground-attack and anti-shipping support to the Allies in the South West Pacific theatre during World War II. Established in September 1942, it acted as a mobile striking force independent of the RAAF's static area commands. As the war in the Pacific progressed, No. 9 Operational Group itself developed into an area command called Northern Command, responsible for garrisoning New Guinea.