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| Royal Australian Air Force No. 36 Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | No. 36 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force |
| Caption | C-17A Globemaster III (historic association with strategic airlift) |
| Dates | 1942–present |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Role | Strategic airlift, tactical transport, aeromedical evacuation |
| Garrison | RAAF Base Richmond |
| Motto | "Sic Itur Ad Astra" |
| Aircraft transport | Lockheed C-130 Hercules; Boeing C-17A Globemaster III; Short Sunderland; Douglas Dakota |
Royal Australian Air Force No. 36 Squadron is a long-serving transport unit that provides strategic and tactical airlift, air logistics, and aeromedical evacuation support to Australia and allied operations. Formed during World War II the squadron has operated a succession of transport types and participated in major campaigns including the Pacific War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, INTERFET, and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. No. 36 Squadron is based at RAAF Base Richmond and works alongside other RAAF and allied units to support national and international contingencies.
No. 36 Squadron was formed in 1942 amid the Pacific War buildup, drawing personnel from units deployed to counter the Imperial Japanese Navy and supporting operations from bases in Australia. During World War II the squadron flew maritime and transport missions, operating seaplanes and flying boat types to support campaigns across the South West Pacific Area, including logistics to forward bases such as New Guinea campaign locations. Post-war, the squadron re-equipped and participated in occupation and repatriation tasks linked to the aftermath of World War II and the reshaping of the post-war Pacific order.
Through the Korean War era and the early Cold War, No. 36 Squadron transitioned to landplane transports to meet demands created by commitments to the United Nations and alliances such as the ANZUS Treaty and the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization. During the Vietnam War the unit provided airlift and logistics in theatre and supported rotations to Southeast Asian bases linked to operations with the United States Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and the Royal Australian Navy. In the 1990s the squadron contributed to humanitarian relief after the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone and regional stability operations such as the INTERFET deployment.
More recently No. 36 Squadron has been integral to airlift for Australian deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and contributions to multinational exercises with partners including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. The squadron has also supported domestic emergency relief during bushfires and floods in cooperation with agencies like the Australian Defence Force and state emergency services.
No. 36 Squadron operated flying boats and seaplanes in its earliest phase, including types comparable to the Short Sunderland and other maritime platforms used in the Pacific War. In the post-war era it transitioned to land-based transports such as the Douglas Dakota and later the Lockheed C-130 Hercules family, which became a backbone for tactical and strategic transport roles. The squadron has also flown and worked alongside heavy airlifters such as the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III for strategic lift tasks and interoperability with allied strategic airlift assets from the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force.
Support equipment included aeromedical modules for casualty evacuation linked to units like the Australian Army Medical Corps and configurations to carry logistics pallets compatible with NATO and allied standards. Avionics and defensive aids suites were upgraded across successive Hercules blocks to enhance communications with coalition command structures including United States Central Command and Australian Defence Force logistics networks.
No. 36 Squadron flew long-range supply and troop lift missions during the Pacific War to support campaigns such as the New Guinea campaign and later contributed to post-war repatriation and occupation sorties. During the Korean War and the Cold War, the unit supported United Nations resupply and troop lift tasks, integrating with coalition air logistics chains including those of the United States Air Force and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
In the Vietnam War era the squadron supported airlift and logistics for Australian forces deployed to Southeast Asia, alternating missions with other RAAF transport units and coordinating with the US Pacific Air Forces. During the 1990s and 2000s No. 36 Squadron provided humanitarian assistance after disasters and sustained operations in East Timor (Timor-Leste), supporting INTERFET and United Nations missions, and later strategic airlift for Australian contingents in Iraq and the Afghanistan.
Domestically the squadron has conducted aeromedical evacuation and disaster relief flights during the Black Saturday bushfires, major flood responses, and pandemic-related transport tasks, linking with agencies like the Australian Border Force for evacuation operations and the Department of Defence for national resilience missions.
No. 36 Squadron is garrisoned at RAAF Base Richmond and forms part of Air Mobility Group, integrating with other squadrons and support units such as No. 33 Squadron RAAF, No. 37 Squadron RAAF (historical), and logistics formations including No. 84 Wing RAAF elements when configured for expeditionary tasks. The squadron's chain of command interfaces with headquarters elements at Air Command and national defence structures at Australian Defence Force centralised commands.
Throughout its history the squadron operated from forward bases and staging areas across the Pacific and Southeast Asia, including temporary detachments to RAAF Base Townsville, RAAF Base Amberley, RAAF Base Darwin, and overseas operating locations such as Singapore, Malaysia, and regional UN staging points.
Commanding officers of No. 36 Squadron have included career aviators drawn from RAAF and allied exchange programs with the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force, reflecting professional exchanges common across Five Eyes defence relationships. Squadron leaders typically progressed through staff and operational postings at establishments like Defence Force Headquarters and specialist schools such as the No. 1 School of Technical Training prior to command.
Personnel strength has varied with equipment and role changes, incorporating aircrew, maintenance trades, aeromedical teams from Royal Australian Army Medical Corps attachments, and logistics specialists who liaise with multinational partners such as the United Nations and coalition logistics hubs run by the United States Transportation Command.
No. 36 Squadron's insignia and motto reflect its airlift heritage and links to Australian service history, with insignia elements displayed on squadron standards and flight patches worn alongside RAAF identification used across coalition operations with partners like the United States and the United Kingdom. Traditions include commemorations of service in the Pacific War and anniversaries marking deployments to theatres such as Korea and Vietnam, with ceremonial interactions involving defence honours from institutions like the Governor-General of Australia and associations including veteran groups established after World War II.
Category:Royal Australian Air Force squadrons