87 Photo Recon Squadron / 87PRS

87 Squadron RAAF (87PRS) was formed at Coomalie Creek airfield in the Northern Territory on 10 September 1944. The unit was previously known as 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (1PRU) which had been equipped with one Mosquito and two CAC Wirraways. Its task was to provide photo reconnaissance support for the various Allied squadrons operating out of the airfields in northern Australia.

No. 87 Squadron was reactivated as the Air Force’s air intelligence squadron on 1 July 2006. It is part of the Information Warfare Wing within the RAAF’s Aerospace Operational Support Group.

The Squadron was responsible for providing air intelligence, counter-intelligence and combat targeting analysis and support to the Air Force. Personnel in the Squadron comprise Air Intelligence Officer, Armament Engineer, Air Combat Officer, Air Intelligence Analyst (GEOINT, SIGINT and OPINT), Air Surveillance Operator, and administrative, computer systems support and logistics trade groups.

Squadron was redesignated 87PRS in 2030 to pay homage to the brave pilots of WW2.