These profiles and stories were donated to the RAAF Museum by the Gold Coast Branch of the Air Crew Association.

Service Profile: John Luker

John C. Luker was a navigator in the Royal Air Force from 17 August 1942 to 18 December 1946 and served as a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) until 23 May 1949, after which he moved to Australia.

After Initial Training School (ITS), John trained as an Observer at Air Observer School in Canada, with further training at Operational Training Unit (OTU) before being posted to RAF No. 149 Squadron for his operational service in the European theatre.

John joined the Royal Australian Air Force as a navigator in 1951 with postings to RAAF No. 2 Squadron, No. 6 Squadron and No. 10 Squadron.

During his flying career, John operated as a crew member in Avro Ansons, Wellingtons, Lancasters, Lincolns and Canberras.

In 1955, John transferred to the Special Duties Branch of the RAAF, holding administrative posts in Townsville and RAAF Edinburgh, SA, before being posted to the (then) Department of Air, Canberra, as an Intelligence Officer.

Following a posting to RAAF Staff London for duty with the Joint Air Reconnaissance Centre and the British Ministry of Defence, John served with the US 7th Air Force in South Vietnam.

On return to Australia in 1968, he was Command Intelligence Officer and Command Counter-Intelligence Officer at RAAF Operational Command before retracing his steps to the Directorate of Air Force Intelligence in Canberra in 1973, this time as Deputy Director.

John held that position until 3 March 1979 when he retired from the RAAF with the rank of Wing Commander.

As it Happened: Action Cameos (90K PDF)