The Royal Australian Air Force No 3 Telecommunication Unit (3TU) was a Specialist radio communications station, located approximately 10 kilometres west of RAAF Base Pearce, Bullsbrook, Western Australia. 3TU’s significant contribution to Australia’s national security has for many years gone largely – but necessarily – unheralded, such was the secretive nature of its operations. The recent release of classified information about 3TU has enabled the Unit, its people, and the work undertaken by them to finally be properly recognised.

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3TU was established on 15 October 1946, replacing the eight Wireless Telegraphy Units in active service during World War II. With initial manning drawn from the Telegraphist mustering, and following specialist training, on the evening shift of 6th September 1947, 3TU commenced live operations. The Unit then remained operational, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for 44 years of uninterrupted operations, until its closure on 1 December 1991. With the Unit badge motto “Djinnang”, from the local Noongar language meaning to look out, or be aware, representing its actual intelligence gathering role, 3TU holds the distinction of continual service, greater than any other RAAF unit.

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Over its 44 year history, it is estimated several thousand members served with 3TU. These comprised Intelligence, Engineering, Administration and Supply Officers in the Executive roles, Telegraphists (Telegs), Signals Operators (SigsOps) and Linguists in the Operational roles, and myriad other musterings, including, but not limited to Telecommunications Technicians, Communications Operators, Clerks, Suppliers, Cooks, Electricians, and even Carpenters, in support roles. In its later years of operation, manning included exchange postings with the Army, Navy, and New Zealand civilian operators. Operator numbers alone indicate at least 1200 to 1500 SigsOps and Telegs served at the unit.

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The unit, unobtrusively nestled on the northern outskirts of Perth, and away from the Pearce air base, required extensive tracts of open land to house the numerous high frequency antennae arrays necessary for its operations. At the centre of the ‘antennae farm’ was the operations compound, housing the main operations building, technical support workshops, supply and administrations buildings, messing facilities for Officers, SNCOs, and Airmen, and even a well equipped carpenter’s workshop. This compound, covering several acres of well maintained lawns and trees - including the Commanding Officer’s rose garden – was also home to a small population of reasonably friendly kangaroos, who no doubt appreciated the lush surroundings.

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3TU always had something of a ‘country club’ atmosphere away from the rest of the Air Force, and was seen as the spiritual home unit for Telegraphists, and later, Signals Operators, who would invariably be posted back to 3TU time and again, regardless of where in the world the RAAF may have sent them. Consequently, many unit members established homes and raised families in Perth, and remained in Western Australia upon retirement or discharge, hence the 3TU Association being based in the West. Many family members remain in the Association without having been in the military or posted to 3TU, such was the camaraderie and esprit de corps engendered within the unit.

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Over the years since the closure of 3TU, the vacant buildings and facilities were used initially for military training purposes, before becoming derelict, and then eventually being demolished. By 2015, the 3TU site had been effectively ‘ploughed into the ground’ and natural bush was reclaiming the area.

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In 2021, in response to the Covid pandemic, on a site adjacent to the original operations buildings, but still within the broader 3TU area, the Commonwealth Government constructed an expansive quarantine accommodation facility, known as the Centre for National Resilience. This has pretty much rendered the old 3TU site ‘out of bounds’ for those potential visitors with nostalgic inclinations.

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Although very much West Australian based, the 3TU Association was established in order to ensure the camaraderie and close relationships of the Unit can be maintained. However, with former 3TU members scattered across Australia and beyond, maintaining those relationships can be problematic. Nonetheless, through the wonders of the Internet, we are able to maintain contact, and indeed, somewhat surprisingly, our membership has, for the past few years, increased. 

The Association Committee strive to hold four formal functions per year, these being the Annual General Meeting, the Anzac Day Luncheon, the Anniversary Dinner, and at least one other function. Members on the Eastern Seaboard have also held a number of 3TU ‘reunions’ which have been well attended. We look forward to continuing these activities into the future for as long as membership numbers and age permit.

 

Ken McLennan

President

3 Telecommunication Unit Association