No. 285 Squadron RAAF

No. 285 Squadron RAAF
No. 285 Squadron's crest
Active	24 August 1999 – current
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
Commanders
Commanding Officer	Wing Commander Jason Baldock

No. 285 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) training squadron. Controlled by No. 84 Wing, the squadron was formed in August 1999 and is responsible for training the RAAF's Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules aircrew and ground support staff. No. 285 Squadron does not control any flying aircraft but manages the flight simulator used for converting aircrew to the C-130Js operated by No. 37 Squadron. It is also allocated decommissioned Hercules airframes for training purposes, as well as flying aircraft from No. 37 Squadron when required. Since its formation, No. 285 Squadron has been located at RAAF Base Richmond in the western suburbs of Sydney.

No. 285 Squadron is responsible for training aircrew and maintenance staff to operate the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules transport aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is located at RAAF Base Richmond, New South Wales, and controlled by No. 84 Wing, which is part of Air Mobility Group. No. 285 Squadron's motto is "Aspire".

Twelve C-130Js are operated by No. 37 Squadron, also based at Richmond under No. 84 Wing. The aircraft are generally crewed by two pilots and a loadmaster, and are tasked with medium tactical airlift in Australia and overseas, transporting troops and cargo, and conducting medical evacuation, search-and-rescue, and airdrop missions. No. 285 Squadron manages 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 employs computer-based training tools and is allocated flying aircraft from No. 37 Squadron when required. As well as training aircrew new to the C-130J, the FFMS (maintained by CAE Australia) is employed for existing aircrew to maintain their currency.