No. 285 Squadron RAAF
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| No. 285 Squadron RAAF | |
|---|---|
 No. 285 Squadron's crest | |
| Active | 24 August 1999 – 8 December 2017 |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Role | C-130J Hercules training |
| Part of | No. 84 Wing |
| Base | RAAF Base Richmond |
| Motto(s) | "Aspire" |
| Equipment | C-130J full-flight mission simulator |
No. 285 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) training squadron. Controlled by No. 84 Wing, the squadron was formed in August 1999 to train the RAAF's Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules aircrew and ground support staff. No. 285 Squadron did not control any flying aircraft but managed the flight simulator used for converting aircrew to the C-130Js operated by No. 37 Squadron. It was also allocated decommissioned Hercules airframes for training purposes, as well as flying aircraft from No. 37 Squadron when required. Throughout its existence, No. 285 Squadron was located at RAAF Base Richmond in the western suburbs of Sydney. The squadron was disbanded in December 2017.
No. 285 Squadron was responsible for training aircrew and maintenance staff to operate the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules transport aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).[1][2] It was located at RAAF Base Richmond, New South Wales, and controlled by No. 84 Wing, part of Air Mobility Group.[3] The squadron's motto was "Aspire".[1]
Twelve C-130Js are operated by No. 37 Squadron, also based at Richmond under No. 84 Wing.[4] The aircraft are generally crewed by two pilots and a loadmaster, and tasked with medium tactical airlift in Australia and overseas, transporting troops and cargo, and conducting medical evacuation, search-and-rescue, and airdrop missions.[4][5] No. 285 Squadron managed the full-flight mission simulator (FFMS) used to convert aircrew to the C-130J, as well as decommissioned Hercules airframes used for loadmaster training. It also employed computer-based training tools and was allocated flying aircraft from No. 37 Squadron when required.[6] As well as training aircrew new to the C-130J, the FFMS (maintained by CAE Australia) was employed for existing aircrew to maintain their currency.[7]
No. 285 Squadron generally held two pilot and navigator conversion courses per year.[8] Each six-month course included approximately 120 hours in the FFMS and 30 hours in flying aircraft. It culminated in an airborne operation module, which included formation flying, airdrops, night landings with night-vision goggles, and simulated combat utilising the C-130's self-defence systems to prepare the aircrew for conditions in Middle East deployments. Following this exercise, the new C-130 aircrew were posted to No. 37 Squadron.[8][9] No. 285 Squadron could run 30 or more courses each year for ground support staff; these courses could last from one day to five weeks.[8]
