No. 33 Squadron Archives - CONTACT magazine

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.

Tankers band together in Guam

25/02/202501/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1441 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 897 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 1756 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 1662 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 1014 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 968 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 795 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 1938 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 1137 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 1332 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 1582 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