Events
OPERATION BABYLIFT COMMEMORATION
To be held Wednesday 23 July 2025
The No 37 Squadron (RAAF) Association, in collaboration with the Australian War Memorial, Canberra will host a function commemorating the 50th anniversary since Headquarters Richmond Detachment 'S', incorporating Operation Babylift, deployed to Saigon in March/April 1975 in response to the South Vietnam humanitarian crisis.
Eight C-130 Hercules from RAAF Base Richmond and three C-47 Dakotas from Transport Support Flight Butterworth evacuated refugees, delivered UN supplies, and conducted Operation Babylift, airlifting infants and orphans from Saigon to Bangkok where they were flown by QANTAS B707s to Sydney for adoption in Australia.
The Association seeks to contact former members involved in these operations. If this is your first notification of the event and you wish to attend, please email raaf37sqnassoc@outlook.com with your contact information to be added to the distribution list.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY LUNCHEON
The Air Force Association ACT Division invites you to a luncheon on THURSDAY 24th July 2025 commencing at 12 noon. Partners, carers and/or guests are most welcome to attend.
The venue is the Ainslie Football Club, 52 Wakefield Ave, Ainslie ACT 2602.
Cash bar open at 12 Noon with meal service at 1215 hours.
Come along and celebrate "Christmas in July". The menu will be Christmas themed. Cost is $40 per person for a 2 course meal with tea/coffee
Roast turkey & ham with spiced stuffing with a Yorkshire pudding
Roasted vegetables & seasonal greens finished with a red wine and cranberry jus
followed by
Traditional plum pudding with warm brandy custard, or
Individual berry pavlova with berry coulis and whipped cream
We have arranged to hear a first hand account from AIRCDRE (Ret) Jack Fanderlinden who flew the last C-130E out of Tan Son Nhut that day. He will give two 75 minute presentations. Operation Babylift, a humanitarian mission during the Vietnam War, involved the evacuation of Vietnamese orphans from Saigon in April 1975 as the city was falling to North Vietnamese forces. Air Commodore (ret) Jack Fanderlinden played a key role in this operation.
This promises to be a fascinating account of the events of that day.
If you would like to attend please aid the caterers by advising the Treasurer as soon as possible via email to acttreas@raafaact.org.au advising the numbers attending and method of payment, but in any case please confirm by Friday 18th July, 2025.
Payment can be made either by cheque (made out to AFA ACT Division), direct debit or by cash on the day.
Direct debit details are:
BSB 325 185,
Account Number: 03420295.
Please make the payment reference "Your Surname - July 24 Lunch".
This Page Last Updated: 30 Jun 25