| No. 491 Squadron RAAF | |
|---|---|
 Mustang fighters of No. 77 Squadron RAAF undergoing maintenance at Iwakuni, Japan, c. 1950–51 | |
| Active | 1950–1954 |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Type | Maintenance squadron |
| Part of | No. 91 Wing |
| Headquarters | Iwakuni, Japan |
| Engagements | Korean War |
No. 491 (Maintenance) Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadron that operated during the Korean War and its immediate aftermath. It was unusual in that it was never based in Australia, being formed and dissolved in Japan.[1] The squadron was established in October 1950 as part of No. 91 (Composite) Wing, which administered all RAAF units deployed as part of Australia's involvement in the Korean War. Apart from No. 491 Squadron, these included No. 77 (Fighter) Squadron, No. 30 Communications Unit (redesignated No. 30 Transport Unit in 1951 and No. 36 (Transport) Squadron in 1953), and No. 391 (Base) Squadron. No. 77 Squadron was based on the Korean peninsula, while No. 491 Squadron and No. 91 Wing's other components were headquartered at Iwakuni, Japan. The maintenance squadron was responsible for the upkeep of all No. 91 Wing aircraft at Iwakuni, and a section was attached to No. 77 Squadron in South Korea to assist with day-to-day servicing. No. 491 Squadron was disbanded in December 1954.
- ^ RAAF Historical Section, Maintenance Units, pp. 72–73