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 evacuation 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: 0830 ~ Australian War Memorial Commemoration Area inside the AWM around the pool of reflection.
Commemorative Plaque Dedication: 1020 ~ RAAF Memorial Grove, Majura ACT. Plaque consecration by Principal Air Chaplain, AIRCDRE James Cox.
Informal Gathering: 1130 ~ Lincoln Room, Mercure Hotel, Braddon. Invited dignitaries, all event attendees, HQRIC Det ‘S’ participants, adopted orphans/families, and QANTAS personnel 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. A substantial Canape self-service courtesy of the No 37 Squadron (RAAF) Association will be provided.
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
0835 – Reflection by C-130 aircrew representative AIRCDRE [Retd] Ian Scott
0840 – Medical/carer for infants and children reflection – Mr Peter Matthey
0845 – Reflections by QANTAS Manager Thailand – Graham Stehn and Mr John Douglas – QANTAS B747 Flight Engineer Op Babylift 4/5 April 1975
0851 – Musical interlude ~ Band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon
0854 – Vietnamese orphaned children reflection – Ms Suanne Prager
0859 – Vietnamese orphaned children reflection – Ms Kay Matthias
0904 – Closing address – Mr Col Coyne, President 37SQN (RAAF) Assoc
0907 – Flypast by C-130J Hercules & C-47 Dakota [Still subject to approval] Timing subject to amendment.
0908 – Laying of poppies at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
0920 – VIP, dignitaries & guests board two coaches for transfer to RAAF Memorial Grove, Majura ACT.
1000 – Flypast by C-130J Hercules & C-47 Dakota [Subject to ADF approval] Timing subject to amendment.
1015 – Welcome by Mr Col Coyne, President 37SQN (RAAF) Association
1020 ~ Commemorative memorial plaque dedicated to HQRIC Det ‘S’ and ‘Operation Babylift’, consecrated by Australian Air Force Principal Air Chaplain AIRCDRE James Cox.
1045 – VIP, dignitaries & guests board two coaches for transfer to AWM [drop off if not attending Mercure Hotel], then 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.
Live stream available, just click on link Australian War Memorial – YouTube”.
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.
