A formation of up to six C-130J Hercules transport aircraft will fly over Sydney Harbour and the Hawkesbury region on Friday, 13 July 2018, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Air Force’s No. 37 Squadron.

Departing from RAAF Base Richmond at midday, the aircraft will fly over Sydney Harbour at approximately 1pm, before continuing to Western Sydney and overflying RAAF Base Glenbrook at approximately 1.15pm.

The formation will then return to overfly RAAF Base Richmond at approximately 1.25pm, landing shortly after.

Please note that this activity is subject to variables including weather, air traffic control, and operational availability; and may be subject to cancellation at short notice.

The formation flight is No. 37 Squadrons’ opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to the wider Sydney community for its continued support of personnel and their families throughout its history. No. 37 Squadron’s role is to provide airlift support to Defence operations around the globe, a task which often takes squadron members away from their families and friends for long periods and at short notice.

No. 37 Squadron was formed at RAAF Station Laverton on 15 July 1943, initially flying Lodestar and Dakota transports around Australia and into South East Asia. Stood down in 1948, it was re-established at RAAF Base Richmond in 1966 and has since then almost exclusively flown variants of the C-130 Hercules.

From RAAF Base Richmond, No. 37 Squadron crews have launched disaster relief missions following Cyclone Tracy, the Bali Bombings, and the Boxing Day Tsunami. Today, No. 37 Squadron is equipped with a fleet of 12 C-130J Hercules, which includes two aircraft on deployment to the Middle East Region.

On Saturday, 14 July 2018, No. 37 Squadron will conduct a Family Day at RAAF Base Richmond for its personnel, followed by a reunion for past and present members that evening.