No. 33 Squadron – CONTACT magazine

Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the United States Air Force aircraft fly in formation during Exercise Bushido Guardian near Misawa Air Base, Japan. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson.

Bushido Guardian builds trilateral strength

14/10/202514/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 637 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bushido Guardian, F-35A Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 3 Squadron, No. 33 Squadron, US Air Force

Exercise Bushido Guardian 25 has proved to be a huge trilateral success, as Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightning

Ahead of Exercise Bushido Guardian, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Forces and United States Air Force fast jets conduct a trilateral activity. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

Bushido Guardian launches fast jets in Japan

03/10/202503/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1140 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bushido Guardian, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 3 Squadron, No. 33 Squadron, US Air Force

Exercise Bushido Guardian 25 has launched, with F-35A Lightning II jets from 3 Squadron, supported by a 33 Squadron KC-30A

Royal Australian Air Force aircraft technician Corporal Aisha Norton-O'Donnell inspects the advanced refuelling boom system of a 33 Squadron KC-30A multi-role tanker transport aircraft, during air-to-air refuelling trials with the US Air Force. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by US Air Force.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Air-to-air refuelling trials complete

29/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2165 Views 0 Comments Aircraft Research and Development Unit, E-7A Wedgetail, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, US Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed air-to-air refuelling clearance trials with the United States Air Force (USAF) at

Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force personnel work together to refuel a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft using Sustainable Aviation Fuel at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, prior to the commencement of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. Story by Cleo Arya. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Neil Bradbury.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Flying clean at Talisman Sabre 2025

18/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1819 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

As Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25) ramps up across Australia, the skies above Queensland have marked a new milestone in

Australian Defence Force medical personnel provide assistance to Australian citizens on board a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A aircraft during a military assisted departure from Tel Aviv, Israel, as part of Operation Beech. Story by Lieutenant Emily Tinker. Photos by Corporal Adam Abela.

Australian Army Middle East News Royal Australian Air Force

Israel relief flight shows pride in mission

09/07/202509/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3015 Views 1 Comment Air Mobility Group (AMG), KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron

Profound joy and tears of relief greeted the first Australian military-assisted departure flight from Israel on touch down at its

A RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft departs Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Exercise Cope North 25. Story b y Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Tankers band together in Guam

25/02/202501/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3141 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North, Guam, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, US Air Force

Australian, Japanese and American refuelling aircraft have joined forces to feed thirsty fast jets in the skies above Guam. CAPTION: A

A RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft departs during Exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Lightning strikes in Guam

12/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2530 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Cope North, F-35A Lightning II, Guam, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 2 Squadron, No. 33 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal, USAF

Hosted in the Indo-Pacific island of Guam, the last several iterations of Exercise Cope North have traditionally been an opportunity

A RAAF KC-30A receives air-to-air refuelling to enable a record-breaking non-stop flight from RAAF Base Amberley to Jerez, Spain. Story by Tastri Murdoch.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

KC-30A sets RAAF’s longest-flight record

29/11/202429/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3007 Views 0 Comments French Air and Space Force’s (FASF), KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

In an exciting first for the Royal Australian Air Force, a KC-30A has conducted the longest non-stop RAAF flight on

A RAAF KC-30A multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) pilot's view of a French Airbus A330 MRTT as they attempt to connect for air-to-air refuelling during Exercise Pitch Black 24. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF’s petrol station of the skies

25/07/202426/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2212 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

While cruising at an altitude of 23,000 feet, sitting in a comfortable over-wing seat of a modified Airbus A330, you

Corporal Casey Childs, a supplier with RAAF 33 Squadron, checks inventory at Gimhae Air Base, in South Korea during Exercise Vigilant Defense 24. Story by Flight Lieutenant Steffi Blavius.

ADF People

Going global with supply role

21/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1451 Views 0 Comments ADF Gap Year, Exercise Vigilant Defense, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, Korea, No. 33 Squadron

Air Force Corporal Casey Childs has come a long way since moving around during her childhood and settling in the

Leading Aircraftman Zachary Delaney (second from left), a RAAF linguist speaks to a Republic of Korea Air Force member on the flightline at Gimhae Air Base, in South Korea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Steffi Blavius.

ADF People

Linguist builds cultural bridges

17/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1489 Views 0 Comments Australian Defence Force School of Languages, Exercise Vigilant Defense, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, Korea, No. 33 Squadron

Learning a language is no easy feat, but for Leading Aircraftman Zachary Delaney, it’s a challenge he’s excelled at during

Flying Officer Frances Phelan, an air mobility officer with 33 Squadron, conducts air-to-air refuelling during Exercise Vigilant Defense. Story and photo by Flight Lieutenant Steffi Blavius.

ADF People

Mission confidence soars after hard work

16/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1214 Views 0 Comments Exercise Vigilant Defense, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

Flying Officer Frances Phelan is making essential connections for RAAF, most recently during Exercise Vigilant Defense in Korea. CAPTION: Flying Officer

RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport from 33 Squadron conducts air-to-air refuelling with F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft of the Indonesian Air Force. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rachael Blake.

Asia News Royal Australian Air Force

First contacts in Indonesian skies

01/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2498 Views 0 Comments F-16, Indonesian Air Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, TNI-AU

For the first time, RAAF has conducted air-to-air refuelling with Indonesia. CAPTION: RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport from 33 Squadron conducts

Corporal Christopher Meldrum, an avionics technician from 33 Squadron, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 23 at RAAF Base Darwin. Story and photo by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

ADF People

From the runway to the sky

11/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1595 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Darwin

Corporal Christopher Meldrum finds fixing an aircraft one of the most rewarding parts of being an aircraft technician in the

Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Major General Hiroaki Sakanashi, right, with Wing Commander Neil Bowen at 33 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF/Japan make giant leap in air-to-air refuelling

20/07/202321/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1787 Views 0 Comments Aircraft Research and Development Unit, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

Defence cooperation between the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and the RAAF took a significant leap forward last month. CAPTION: Japan

33 Squadron Maintenance Manager Sergeant Jason Bahadur on board a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport during Exercise Cope North 20 in Guam. Story by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree. Photo by Sergeant David Said.

ADF People

Aviator’s legacy of improving effectiveness

03/02/202303/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1943 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, Order of Australia

Increasing aircraft availability, streamlining safety processes, saving in excess of 6000 hours in labour resources, capability enhancements and driving positive