No. 278 Squadron RAAF

No 278 Squadron formed on 1 July 2003. The squadron's formation removes day-to-day management responsibility of No. 78 Wing RAAF Technical Training and Operational Flight Trainer support elements from the Wing Headquarters.

No 278 Squadron had a combined Air Force/Australian Public Service workforce of 80, serving in Technical Training Flights at Williamtown and Amberley, and in Hornet Operational Flight Trainers at Williamtown and Tindal.

No 278 Squadron's Amberley Technical Training Flight also provides F-111 technical training to ARDU. The Williamtown Technical Training Flight maintains Computer-Based Training courseware and provides instructor training and certification for ARDU, No. 75 Squadron RAAF, No. 79 Squadron RAAF and for No. 21 Squadron RAAF at Laverton. Its Aircraft Battle Damage Repair (ABDR) school provides ABDR training for Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force personnel. The Squadron also provides contractor liaison and engineering oversight for the Hawk Operational Flight Trainers at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Pearce, and the F-111 Simulator located at RAAF Base Amberley. The Squadron Headquarters is located at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Purpose
To Provide Technical Training and Operational Flight Trainers in support of Air Combat Group Operations.

Vision
"To achieve excellence in ADF Technical Training and Aircraft Simulation."

History
On 1 July 2003 278 Squadron was born from a pressing need to standardise and achieve efficiencies in the training of Air Combat Group RAAF (ACG) personnel. ACG's mission – to deliver Australia's capability to Control the Air and to Conduct Precision Strike – is unachievable without highly trained aircrew and maintenance teams. With 89 permanent staff members supporting ACG training around Australia in RAAF Base Williamtown, RAAF Base Amberley, RAAF Base Tindal and RAAF Base Pearce, 278SQN is preparing ACG aircrew and maintainers to defend and strike.

Establishing highly trained personnel takes years of dedicated training commitment. 278SQN delivers this training through two main elements; Operational Flight Trainers (or simulators) for aircrew and Technical Training Flights for maintainers. Operational Flight Trainers (OFT's) are utilised to develop a pilot's basic flying skills and hone techniques as aircrew skills develop. ACG OFTs are located at all 278SQN locations – Williamtown, Amberley, Tindal and Pearce and have the capability to accurately simulate all operational aspects of the F-111, BAE Hawk and F/A-18 Hornet. Technical Training Flights provide training support through numerous methods and are contributing towards a healthy maintenance culture of professionalism, safety and pride in work.