Group Captain Glen Cooper took command of the wing in 1957, deploying it between October 1958 and February 1959 to RAAF Base Butterworth in Malaya, where its flying units consisted of Nos. 3 and 77 Squadrons. No. 75 Squadron remained at Williamtown, subsequently joining No. 81 Wing with a re-formed No. 76 Squadron. Among the first aircraft to wear the Air Force's new "leaping kangaroo" roundel, the Butterworth-based Sabres flew several ground-attack missions against communist guerrilla forces in the last stages of the Malayan Emergency. Servicing for the aircraft was provided by No. 478 (Maintenance) Squadron. Armed with Sidewinder missiles, the Sabres were responsible for regional air defence during the "Konfrontasi" between Indonesia and Malaysia from 1963 until 1966, though no combat took place.