No. 33 Squadron RAAF
No. 33 Squadron RAAF | |
---|---|
Active | 1942–1946 1983–current |
Allegiance | Australia |
Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
Role | Air-to-air refuelling Strategic transport VIP transport |
Part of | No. 86 Wing |
Garrison/HQ | RAAF Base Amberley |
Motto(s) | "Enduring" |
Aircraft | Airbus KC-30 |
Engagements | World War II
War in Afghanistan War against the Islamic State |
No. 33 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) strategic transport and air-to-air refuelling squadron. It operates Airbus KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transports from RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. The squadron was formed in February 1942 for service during World War II, operating Short Empire flying boats and a variety of smaller aircraft. By 1944 it had completely re-equipped with Douglas C-47 Dakota transports, which it flew in New Guinea prior to disbanding in May 1946.
The unit was re-established in February 1981 as a
Role and equipment
No. 33 Squadron is responsible for aerial refuelling and long-range transport.[1] It is located at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, and controlled by No. 86 Wing, which is part of Air Mobility Group.[2] The unit headquarters comprises executive, administrative and operational components. As well as aircrew, the squadron is staffed by maintenance personnel responsible for regular aircraft service. Heavier maintenance is conducted by Northrop Grumman Integrated Defence Services (formerly Qantas Defence Services).[3][4] No. 33 Squadron's motto is "Enduring".[5]
The squadron operates seven
The KC-30 can carry over 110 tonnes of fuel. Its dual delivery systems—probe-and-drogue in the wings and boom under the tail—are designed to refuel the RAAF's
History
World War II
During February and March 1942, the RAAF formed four transport units: Nos. 33,
No. 33 Squadron transferred to Port Moresby in January 1943, providing air transport to Australian forces involved in the New Guinea campaign. Transport needs were so desperate in New Guinea that even the Tiger Moths were employed, delivering a total of 77 kilograms (170 lb) per trip.[12] In September–October 1943, the squadron began taking delivery of fifteen Douglas C-47 Dakotas to replace its assortment of aircraft.[5][12] By the time it transferred to Milne Bay on 1 January 1944, it was operating Dakotas exclusively, and continued to do so for the rest of the war. The squadron relocated to Lae on 15 January 1945.[5] Following the end of hostilities in August 1945, it was tasked with repatriating service personnel and former prisoners of war.[12] No. 33 Squadron returned to Townsville on 11 March 1946, and was disbanded there on 13 May.[5]
Post-war re-establishment
In 1978, the Australian government decided to purchase two passenger jets for strategic transport, primarily to mitigate what it saw as the risk of terrorist attack inherent in carrying
On 1 July 1983, after the government procured two more 707s for $7.5 million from
A consortium of Israel Aerospace Industries and Hawker de Havilland converted four of No. 33 Squadron's six serviceable aircraft to in-flight refuelling tankers between December 1988 and May 1992.[15] Their probe-and-drogue configuration allowed them to refuel the RAAF's F/A-18 Hornets and the Royal New Zealand Air Force's Douglas A-4K Skyhawks, but not the RAAF's General Dynamics F-111 bombers, which required a boom system; the other two 707s continued to be used purely for long-range transport.[15][17] The RAAF had argued for an air-to-air refuelling capability for both the F/A-18s and the F-111s, but the Australian government refused to fund the latter, considering the F-111's existing range sufficient for deterrent purposes. Observers such as journalist Frank Cranston speculated that aside from any cost issues, the government was concerned that extending the bombers' range would signal to the region that Australia was adopting a more aggressive defence posture.[22][23]
In April 1989, one of the 707s transported 300
In January 1998, still based at Richmond, No. 33 Squadron joined
Re-equipment
By the mid-1990s, the ageing 707s carrying Australian VIPs overseas were no longer compliant with foreign noise and emission regulations.
Following the retirement of the Boeing 707, No. 33 Squadron relocated to RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, on 1 July 2008.
The squadron received its fifth KC-30 on 3 December 2012, and achieved initial operating capability in February 2013.[8][47] It expected to reach final operating capability, with both boom and probe-and-drogue delivery systems, in 2014.[48] On 14 September that year, the Federal government committed to deploying one of the squadron's KC-30s to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, as part of Operation Okra, Australia's contribution to a coalition to combat Islamic State forces in Iraq. The aircraft was only cleared for operations with the probe-and-drogue system, as by this stage the boom system was not ready.[49] The KC-30 began flying missions in Iraq on 1 October 2014.[50] The first successful contact using the boom system (in concert with another RAAF KC-30) took place near Amberley on 13 May 2015.[51] In July, the Federal government announced the purchase of two more KC-30s, to increase No. 33 Squadron's fleet to seven aircraft; the airframes were to be ex-Qantas A330-200 passenger liners, converted by Airbus Defence and Space at Getafe, near Madrid.[52][53] The KC-30 deployed to Iraq undertook the first operational use of the boom system in late October 2015, refuelling an RAAF E-7 Wedgetail.[54]
In March 2016, No. 33 Squadron was awarded the Duke of Gloucester Cup as the RAAF's most proficient squadron of the previous year, as well as the RAAF Maintenance Trophy.[55] It also received the 2017 and 2018 Maintenance Trophies.[56] The unit's sixth KC-30 was delivered to Amberley in September 2017 and its seventh in May 2019, the latter aircraft having a VIP passenger-carrying capability to augment its aerial refuelling role.[57][58] The VIP aircraft was fitted with first-class and business-class seats, as well as a conference room.[59] In December 2018, Wing Commander Sarah Stalker assumed command of No. 33 Squadron, becoming the first woman appointed to lead a RAAF flying squadron in over a decade.[60] The squadron completed its final Operation Okra deployment in September 2020; by this time its aircraft had flown 1,440 air-to-air refuelling missions in the Middle East, totalling over 11,000 hours flight time, and delivered in excess of 47,000 tonnes of fuel to Coalition aircraft.[61]
Notes
- ^ Royal Australian Air Force, Air Force Capability Guide 2020, p. 43
- ^ Royal Australian Air Force, Air Force Capability Guide 2020, p. 38
- ^ a b "No. 33 Squadron's role". Royal Australian Air Force. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- Flight Global. 28 February 2014. Archivedfrom the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h RAAF Historical Section, Maritime and Transport Units, pp. 35–38
- ^ a b c d "KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport". Royal Australian Air Force. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ a b "First KC-30A arrived". Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ Australian Aviation. 26 February 2013. Archivedfrom the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ^ a b "New tankers to take on many roles". Air Force. Vol. 47, no. 2. 24 February 2005. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
- ^ Wiseman, Nick (7 November 2013). "Almost like the real thing". Air Force. Vol. 55, no. 21. p. 19. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, p. 481 Archived 23 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e Eather, Flying Squadrons, pp. 68–69
- ^ Gamble, Fortress Rabaul, pp. 157–158
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, p. 605n Archived 24 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e f g RAAF Historical Section, Maritime and Transport Units, pp. 38–40
- ^ a b c d e Roylance, Air Base Richmond, pp. 107–108
- ^ a b "33 Squadron: operational airline". Air Force Today. Vol. 1, no. 1. May 1996. pp. 28–29.
- ^ Hamilton, Eamon (8 May 2014). "Symbolic change is perfect timing". Air Force. Vol. 56, no. 8. p. 7. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ RAAF Historical Section, Maintenance Units, pp. 70–71
- ^ a b "Keeping the Boeing going". Air Force Today. Vol. 1, no. 2. July 1996. p. 32.
- ^ Lewis, David (1 July 2008). "Last RAAF 707 gives Sydney a scare". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ Lax, From Controversy to Cutting Edge, pp. 178–180
- ^ Stephens, Power Plus Attitude, p. 178
- ^ "No 33 Squadron B-707 ferried troops to Namibia". Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ "B-707 lost in training accident". Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
- ^ State Coroner Victoria Report Case Nos. 3587, 3589, 3612, 3601, 3732/91
- ^ "Advance party headed for Somalia". Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
- ^ "Airlift returned Army battalion from Somalia". Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
- ^ "Bulletin board". Air Force. Vol. 41, no. 9. October 1999. p. 18.
- ^ Odgers, Air Force Australia, p. 206
- ^ "Gulf 707s operational". Air Force. Vol. 40, no. 3. April 1998. p. 1.
- ^ "Australian Defence Force contingent deployment to the Gulf to continue". Department of Defence. 8 May 1998. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
- ^ "Farewell of 84 WG Detachment". Department of Defence. 15 March 2002. Archived from the original on 19 August 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
- ^ Caddaye, Ben (10 October 2002). "Well done". Air Force. Vol. 44, no. 19. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
- ^ Seah, Mike (April 2004). "84 Wing Detachment, Ganci Air Base, Manas, Kyrgyzstan" (PDF). ADF Health: Back cover. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
- ^ "84WG awarded unit citation". Air Force. Vol. 44, no. 19. 10 October 2002. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
- ^ "Challenger CL 604". RAAF Museum. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
- ^ "Answers to questions on notice from the Department of Defence" (PDF). Budget Supplementary Estimates; October 2008. 27 January 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ Paton, Simon (31 May 2007). "Good as gold". Air Force. Vol. 49, no. 9. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ "Boeing 707 Farewell Flights Over Sydney and Hawkesbury". Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 7 July 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
- ^ "Farewell B-707 flight". Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
- ^ a b "Former RAAF 707s flown out by Omega". Australian Aviation. 23 October 2011. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ "Historic day for 33SQN". Air Force. Vol. 52, no. 11. 24 June 2010. p. 9. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ "Airbus misses RAAF KC-30 MRTT delivery deadline". Australian Aviation. 22 December 2010. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
- ^ "Boom or bust! – RAAF KC-30 loses boom". Australian Aviation. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ "New passenger record set". Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ "Airbus Military delivers final A330 MRTT to Royal Australian Air Force". Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter. 11 December 2012. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ "Improvements heading KC-30A towards FOC". Australian Aviation. 30 May 2013. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
- ^ "RAAF headed back to Iraq". Australian Aviation. 15 September 2014. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ^ "Australian Air Task Group commences operational missions over Iraq". Department of Defence. 2 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ^ "RAAF executes first boom contact with KC-30A". Australian Aviation. 15 May 2015. Archived from the original on 23 May 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
- ^ "Two additional KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft for the RAAF". Department of Defence. 1 July 2015. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
- ^ "RAAF to acquire two additional KC-30s". Australian Aviation. 1 July 2015. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
- ^ "Booming success for our tanker". Air Force. Vol. 57, no. 23. 3 December 2015. p. 7. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ "And the winners are". Air Force. Vol. 58, no. 4. 24 March 2016. p. 3. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ "Proficient and proud". Air Force. Vol. 61, no. 6. 18 April 2019. p. 3. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ "Sixth RAAF KC-30A arrives at Amberley". Australian Aviation. 18 September 2017. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
- ISBN 978-1-76033-511-3. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ "Department of Defence Response to FOI Case 141/19/20" (PDF). Department of Defence. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- ^ Richter, Jodie (6 March 2020). "Air to air refuelling boss shares her experiences". Ipswich First. Archived from the original on 10 March 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- ^ "Welcome home 33 Squadron". Department of Defence. 25 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
References
- Eather, Steve (1995). Flying Squadrons of the Australian Defence Force. Weston Creek, Australian Capital Territory: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 978-1-875671-15-1.
- Gamble, Bruce (2013). Fortress Rabaul: The Battle for the Southwest Pacific, January 1942 – April 1943. Minneapolis: Zenith Press. ISBN 978-0-7603-4559-7.
- Gillison, Douglas (1962). Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 3 – Air. Vol. 1. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 2000369.
- Lax, Mark (2010). From Controversy to Cutting Edge: A History of the F-111 in Australian Service (PDF). Canberra: Air Power Development Centre. ISBN 978-1-920800-54-3.
- ISBN 978-1-86436-081-3.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Maritime and Transport Units. Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Vol. 4. Canberra: ISBN 978-0-644-42796-8.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Maintenance Units. Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Vol. 7. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 978-0-644-42800-2.
- Royal Australian Air Force (2020). Air Force Capability Guide 2020 (PDF). Canberra: Air and Space Power Centre.
- Roylance, Derek (1991). Air Base Richmond. RAAF Base Richmond: Royal Australian Air Force. ISBN 978-0-646-05212-0.
- Stephens, Alan (1992). Power Plus Attitude: Ideas, Strategy and Doctrine in the Royal Australian Air Force 1921–1991 (PDF). Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 978-0-644-24388-9.