Operational conversion unit: Difference between revisions

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An '''operational conversion unit''' (OCU) is a unit within an [[air force]] whose role is to support preparation for the operational missions of a specific aircraft type by providing trained personnel. Operational conversion units teach pilots how to fly an aircraft and which tactics best exploit the performance of their aircraft and its weapons. The [[Royal Air Force]] and [[Royal Australian Air Force]], among others, practise this method of training. The [[United States Navy]] calls its units in this role "[[fleet replacement squadronssquadron]]s".

An example of an OCU is [[No. 29 Squadron RAF]], which was the second RAF squadron to receive the [[Eurofighter Typhoon]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Operational Conversion Units|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/operationalconversion.cfm|publisher=Royal Air Force|accessdateaccess-date=1 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222111228/http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/operationalconversion.cfm|archive-date=22 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Royal Australian Air Force]] has a number of OCUs. These include [[No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF|No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit]], [[No. 6 Squadron RAAF|No. 6 Squadron]] and [[No. 292 Squadron RAAF|No. 292 Squadron]]. These units are responsible for converting aircrews to the [[McDonnellLockheed DouglasMartin F/A-1835 HornetLightning II]], [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18F Super Hornet]] and [[LockheedBoeing APP-3C8 OrionPoseidon]] aircraft, respectively.

[[No. 42 Squadron RNZAF]] Is the only OCU in the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]. It flies the RNZAF's 4 [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft Super King Air B200]] in a Twin Engine conversion role.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airforce.mil.nz/about-us/what-we-do/aircraft/kingair.htm|title = Royal New Zealand Air Force}}</ref> Until 2001 the RNZAF had [[No. 2 Squadron RNZAF]]. It flew the TA-4K Skyhawk in a Fighter Conversion Role but was mothballed along with the rest of the RNZAF's Air Combat Wing in 2001.

Royal Air Force OCUs have their origins in the post-war period. Before the [[Second World War]], operational training was carried out in the squadron itself. With the coming of war, this method of training was no longer possible and some squadrons were reassigned to training duties. These were later renamed as "operational training units" (OTU) and in practice were larger than operational squadrons.