No 3 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF was formed in May 1942. The unit originally was titled 3 Works Maintenance Unit and then 3 Mobile Works Squadron before receiving its final title in July 1944. The unit served at Darwin for almost two years before being sent overseas in July 1944. It sailed to Morotai in the Halmahera Islands, Netherlands East Indies (modern Indonesia) and from there was moved on to the Philippines. Leading Aircraftman RW Staff, heavily laded with all of his personal gear including rifle, stretcher bed and kitbag, prepares for the move from Morotai in November 1945.

Members of 3 Airfield Construction Squadron line up on the beach at Morotai for the passage to the Philippines. They sailed first to Leyte Island, which had been captured the month before. The squadron was used mostly for unloading supply ships at Leyte Island while awaiting orders for movement to the next objective.

Leading Aircraftmen Raymond Landrigan and OR Harris, 3 Airfield Construction Squadron, unload stores from one of the unit's trucks at Leyte Island, Philippines, in late November 1944. They are being watched by a Filipino family from the hut next to the truck.

Airmen of 3 Airfield Construction Squadron watch and most likely bet on cock fighting, which was a popular pastime in the Philippines. The period on Leyte Island while waiting for onward movement gave the men ample opportunity to explore the area, meet locals and purchase souvenirs.

Leading Aircraftman TF 'Pop' Byrne of Warrnambool, Victoria, writes to one of his children during the voyage from Leyte Island to Mindoro Island where the squadron was to support American forces. 'Pop' Byrne was one of the oldest men on active service. He was 52, born in 1892, and had fathered 15 children, several of whom were in the forces. A son, Private MW Byrne, 2/32nd Battalion, had lost his life in North Africa three years earlier.

On 14 December 1944 Flight Lieutenant Ray Langley gives members of 3 Airfield Construction Squadron final instructions for disembarkation. The unit would land the following day at San Jose, Mindoro Island, in the second wave of troops ashore. Langley was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his 'ability and organisation' demonstrated during long service with the squadron.

LSTs (Landing Ships, Tank) carrying members of 3 Airfield Construction Squadron speed towards the beachhead at San Jose, Mindoro Island, on 15 December 1945. They were in the second wave to reach the shore. Vessels to the left of the LST are smaller landing craft returning from the beach after landing the American infantry who had stormed the beach and were pushing inland.

Men of 3 Airfield Construction Squadron landing on Mindoro Island. Leading Aircraftman Harold Quick, 40, who had enlisted nine months earlier, is in front, having claimed the honour of first ashore from this particular LST (Landing Ship, Tank). Within five minutes, after dumping their personal gear just off the beach, the men were hard at work unloading heavy equipment and stores.

Members of 3 Airfield Construction Squadron bulldozing a ramp on the beach to facilitate the unloading of incoming LSTs (Landing Ships, Tank). This turned out to be dangerous because Japanese aircraft were soon attacking the beachhead and the fleet offshore. At least one LST carrying American troops was struck by a kamikaze aircraft, with heavy casualties. One Australian, Leading Aircraftman William Barham, 17, was killed by shrapnel.

A truckload of men of 3 Airfield Construction Squadron moving from the beachhead to the location of the airfield they were to build. The men all carried weapons in case of close quarters opposition from the Japanese. The site of the airfield was subjected to shelling and aerial bombing but fortunately no more Australians were killed at Mindoro Island. During an enemy counter-attack, the unit's truck drivers ran the gauntlet of artillery shelling the roads.