While Australian pilots flew Liberators in other theatres of war, the aircraft was introduced into service in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1944 when it was suggested by Gen George C. Kenney that seven heavy bomber squadrons be raised to supplement the efforts of the 380th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). The USAAF helped in the procurement of the aircraft for the RAAF and training of the Australian air-crew. Seven flying squadrons, an operational training unit and two independent flights were equipped with the aircraft by the end of World War II in August 1945.