No. 38 Squadron RAAF

No. 38 Squadron RAAF
Unit name	No. 38 Squadron RAAF
Caption	C-130H Hercules similar to types operated
Dates	1943–present
Country	Australia
Branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Role	Transport and airlift
Garrison	RAAF Base Richmond
Motto	Progress with Care
Notable commanders	Group Captain William Anderson
Identification symbol	Black swan and boomerang

No. 38 Squadron RAAF is a transport squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force established during World War II and continually active into the 21st century. The unit has operated a succession of transport aircraft to support Allied forces in the Pacific, Cold War-era operations, and contemporary regional engagements, providing strategic and tactical airlift for the Australian Defence Force, humanitarian relief, and multinational exercises.

History

Formed in 1943 at RAAF Station Richmond, the squadron deployed across the South West Pacific Area to support campaigns linked to the New Guinea campaign and operations in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago. Postwar demobilisation saw reassignment to peacetime roles during the early Cold War while supporting commitments to the British Commonwealth Occupation Force and regional stability tasks associated with the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization-era alignments. During the Konfrontasi period and the Vietnam War era, the squadron augmented logistics for Australian forces and allied partners, integrating with units from the United States Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Royal Air Force. In the late 20th century, modernization programs tied the squadron to wider Australian Defence Force restructuring and the acquisition of contemporary airlifters, enabling deployments to operations such as INTERFET in East Timor, peacekeeping missions in Bougainville and contributions to coalition efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq in the 21st century.

Operational roles and aircraft

The squadron has performed tactical airlift, strategic transport, aeromedical evacuation, airborne delivery, and humanitarian assistance roles. Aircraft types operated have included the wartime Douglas C-47 Skytrain, postwar Avro Anson and Lockheed C-130 Hercules variants, and later models of the C-130J Super Hercules. Each type linked the squadron to broader logistical chains supporting Joint Operations Command directives, enabling interoperability with platforms from United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Canadian Forces, and New Zealand Defence Force. Aeromedical missions saw coordination with St John Ambulance Australia and hospital units attached to the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy for casualty evacuation. Tactical airdrop capability supported airborne forces in exercises with Australian Army 1st Division formations and multinational training with ANZUS partners.

Bases and deployments

Headquartered historically at RAAF Base Richmond and operating detachments from RAAF Base Townsville, RAAF Base Darwin, and forward locations across the South Pacific, the squadron maintained expeditionary posture for regional contingencies. Deployments included extended basing at Paya Lebar Air Base during Southeast Asian commitments and temporary deployments to Al Muthanna and Al Minhad Air Base during Middle Eastern operations. Humanitarian responses staged through Sydney Airport and coordination with civilian agencies at Canberra Airport for domestic crises illustrated the squadron's dual-use capability. Training rotations occurred at ranges such as Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area and in multinational exercises at Pearl Harbor, Diego Garcia, and Andersen Air Force Base.

Notable operations and missions

The squadron contributed airlift to major campaigns including logistical support for the New Guinea campaign, relief flights after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami into Aceh, and sustained air transport for INTERFET stability operations in Timor-Leste. It provided aeromedical evacuations during the Canterbury earthquake response and humanitarian flights after Cyclone events in the Pacific Islands Forum region. Coalition support missions involved strategic lift into Operation Slipper theatres and tactical resupply during Operation Catalyst. The unit also participated in high-profile multinational exercises such as Talisman Sabre, Pitch Black, and RIMPAC, demonstrating airlift interoperability with United States Indo-Pacific Command components and ASEAN partners.

Command structure and personnel

Organisationally the squadron has been subordinate to various RAAF groups and wings, aligning under No. 86 Wing RAAF and contemporary Air Mobility Group (Australia) structures for force generation and tasking. Personnel have included career aircrew, loadmasters, engineers, and support staff trained under RAAF standards and embedded liaison officers with Australian Defence Force Headquarters and allied staffs. Commanding officers have liaised with theatre commanders from Australian Defence Force joint headquarters, multinational coalition staffs, and civilian emergency management agencies such as Australian Federal Police crisis units during domestic operations. Training pipelines have intersected with institutions like the Australian Defence Force Academy, Officer Training School, and specialist courses at the School of Air Mobility.

Insignia, traditions and honours

Unit insignia historically combined regional symbolism such as the black swan motif and boomerang imagery, reflecting ties to Western Australia cultural motifs and RAAF heraldry. Traditions include annual ceremonial events at RAAF Museum commemorations and participation in national remembrance on ANZAC Day alongside other heritage squadrons. Honours awarded to members and the squadron include campaign recognition for World War II service, unit citations for disaster relief, and individual awards such as the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) and national decorations conferred by the Governor-General of Australia for service. The squadron's history is preserved in collections at RAAF Museum and archival holdings within the National Archives of Australia.

Category:Royal Australian Air Force squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1943