Commemorative Event: 
50th Anniversary HQRIC Detachment ‘S’
Australian War Memorial Canberra
Wednesday, 23 July 2025

The No 37 Squadron (RAAF) Association, in collaboration with the Australian War Memorial Canberra, is holding an event on Wednesday, 23 July 2025 to commemorate 50 years since the deployment of eight Hercules from RAAF Base Richmond NSW and three Dakota transport aircraft from Butterworth Malaysia to Saigon, the Australian Government response to the evolving humanitarian crisis in Southern Vietnam as the North Vietnamese army moved towards Saigon in March/April 1975.

Historical Context

The deployment of 185 RAAF personnel, including Aircrew, Nurses, Doctors, Airfield Defence Guards, Air Movements staff, and support personnel, was a response by the Australian Government to the humanitarian crisis evolving in Southern Vietnam as the North Vietnamese armed forces advanced towards Saigon. The detachment also included participation in the US led ‘Operation Babylift’, the airlift of infants / orphans from Saigon to Bangkok, where they were uplifted by QANTAS charter flights to Melbourne and Sydney for adoption by Australian families.

Event Schedule 

The function day format will consist of:

Formal Commemorative Event:      Australian War Memorial  Commencing at 0830hrs in the Commemoration Area inside the Australian War Memorial around the pool of reflection.

Commemorative Plaque Dedication:      RAAF Memorial Grove, Majura ACT. Plaque consecration by Principal Air Chaplain, AIRCDRE James Cox.

Informal Gathering:        Lincoln Room, Mercure Hotel, Braddon.                          Invited dignitaries, all event attendees, HQRIC Det ‘S’ participants, adopted orphans/families, and QANTAS charter aircrew are welcome to attend, providing a valuable opportunity to mingle and hear the first-hand experiences from the cross-section of those who contributed to this historical event in Australian Air Force history.

Preliminary timings: Subject to change                                                                         TIME: Start time is firm, 0830, rest of timings may be subject to change.

0830 – M/C Ms Emily Hyles [AWM C-130 Curator]

0831 – Opening address: Mr Matt Anderson, PSM, Director, Australian War Memorial

0834 – Overview by Mr Col Coyne, President 37SQN (RAAF) Association

0837 – Reflections by C-130 aircrew representative AIRCDRE [Retd] John Fanderlinden, AM, CSC, AFC.

0842 – Medical/carer for infants and children reflection – representative TBA

0847 – Musical interlude

0852 – Reflections by QANTAS crew John Douglas [B747 Flight Engineer]

0857– Australian adoptive family reflection – representative TBA

0902 – Vietnamese orphaned children reflection – representative TBA

0910 – Flypast by C-130J Hercules [Subject to ADF approval]  & C-47 Dakota Timing subject to amendment.

0915-0935 – Guest visits to 36 and 37SQN memorial plaques at AWM

0940 – VIP, dignitaries & invited guests board two coaches for transfer to            RAAF Memorial Grove, Majura ACT.

1010 – Flypast by C-130J Hercules [Subject to ADF approval]  & C-47 Dakota Timing subject to amendment.

1015 – Commemorative memorial plaque dedicated to HQRIC Det ‘S’ and ‘Operation Babylift’, consecrated by RAAF PAC AIRCDRE James Cox.

1045 – VIP, dignitaries & invited guests board two coaches for transfer to Mercure Hotel, Braddon ACT.

1130 to 1600 37SQN (RAAF) Assoc host social gathering for all event attendees Lincoln Room, Mercure Hotel, Braddon.

1200 – 1300 Substantial Canape` service provided, drinks at attendee cost.

1600 – Attendees invited to attend AWM Last Post Ceremony, ceremony commences at 1630hrs.

“For those unable to attend in person, the Commemorative Ceremony will be streamed live on the Memorial’s YouTube channel and the recording available on the Memorial website. As this is a public event, attendees acknowledge that they may be filmed/photographed. Further information about the livestream will be available closer to the date”.

If you have NOT already received notification of the event and wish to attend please email raaf37sqnassoc@outlook.com to enable contact details to the added to the distribution list for future updates, or POC Col Coyne, President No 37 Squadron (RAAF) Association [M] 0402 815015.