over 110 tonnes of fuel. Its dual delivery systems—probe-and-drogue in the wings and boom under the tail—are designed to refuel the RAAF's Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II and Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet multi-role fighters, Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft, Boeing E-7 Wedgetail early warning aircraft, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavy airlifters, Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, or other KC-30s. In its transport configuration, the KC-30 can carry 270 passengers or 34 tonnes of cargo. As well as its aircraft, No. 33 Squadron operates a simulator at Amberley. History World War II During February and March 1942, the RAAF formed four transport units: Nos. 33, 34, 35 and 36 Squadrons. No. 33 Squadron was established on 16 February at Townsville, Queensland, under the control of North-Eastern Area Command. It was equipped with four Short Empire flying boats—originally of Qantas—that were transferred from No. 11 Squadron, along with several smaller types including de Havilland Dragons and Tiger Moths, Avro Ansons, and Vultee Vigilants. The squadron suffered its first loss on 27 February, when one of the Empires crashed on landing at Townsville; the six crew members were killed. A second Empire was destroyed at its mooring during a Japanese air attack on Broome, Western Australia, on 3 March; another Empire was impressed from Qantas to replace the lost aircraft. Two months later the commanding officer, Squadron Leader Charles Gurney, was killed while co-piloting a USAAF Martin B-26 Marauder that crashed after attacking Rabaul. One of No. 33 Squadron's tasks was search-and-rescue; on 8 August 1942 it lost another Empire that sank in heavy seas off the coast of New Guinea during an attempt to rescue survivors of a torpedoed ship. No. 33 Squadron transferred to Port Moresby in January 1943, providing air transport to Australian forces involved in the New Guinea campaign. Transport needs were so desperate in New Guinea that even the Tiger Moths were employed, delivering a total of per trip. In September–October 1943, the squadron began taking delivery of fifteen Douglas C-47 Dakotas to replace its assortment of aircraft. By the time it transferred to Milne Bay on 1 January 1944, it was operating Dakotas exclusively, and continued to do so for the rest of the war. The squadron relocated to Lae on 15 January 1945. Following the end of hostilities in August 1945, it was tasked with repatriating service personnel and former prisoners of war. No.