by No. 33 Squadron in the VIP transport role. The 707s had permitted journalists to travel with the Prime Minister on international flights, and in replacing the bigger jets with 737s the Liberal government of the time determined that media contingents covering VIP trips should travel on civil aircraft. This decision led to controversy in 2007, after the crash of a Garuda airliner killed four Australian government officials and a journalist travelling in connection with a visit to Indonesia by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who had flown on a Challenger. No. 34 Squadron and Qantas Defence Services marked 20,000 incident-free flying hours with the 737s and Challengers on 21 October 2008. The following year saw further controversy when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had to apologise for remarks to a cabin attendant over the meal he was served on one of the jets. In 2011, the squadron provided VIP transport during tours of Australia by Queen Elizabeth, Prince William, and Frederik and Mary of Denmark, as well as support for US President Barack Obama's visit to Canberra. It also flew senior government and military personnel in support of relief efforts during the Queensland floods, and was again awarded the Gloucester Cup for proficiency. No. 34 Squadron celebrated its 70th anniversary at Parliament House, Canberra, on 18 February 2012; the following day, a memorial to its first fatalities in March 1942 was unveiled at Fairbairn. On 13 October 2017, No. 34 Squadron was transferred from No. 84 Wing to No. 86 Wing. The squadron's Challengers were replaced with three Dassault Falcon 7Xs in 2019. The new aircraft are larger and longer-ranged than the Challengers, and carry more advanced communications equipment. In April 2020, No. 34 Squadron was awarded the Gloucester Cup for its performance the previous year. See also Royal Australian Air Force VIP aircraft Air transports of heads of state and government Notes References 34 Military units and formations established in 1942 Aircraft squadrons of the Royal Australian Air Force in World War II Air transport of heads of state