 In 1978 , the Australian government decided to purchase two passenger jets for strategic transport , primarily to mitigate what it saw as the risk of terrorist attack inherent in carrying VIPs on commercial flights . Its attempts to procure one Boeing 727 each from domestic carriers Ansett and TAA were unsuccessful but , in December , Qantas agreed to sell the government two Boeing 707s for $ 14 @.@ 5 million . Purchasing big jets for VIPs was controversial , but the 707s were also intended for general long @-@ range transport , being capable of carrying cargo or up to 160 passengers . The first was transferred to the RAAF in March 1979 , and its inaugural Air Force flight took place on 22 April . Located at RAAF Base Richmond , New South Wales , the 707s were initially operated by No. 37 Squadron . They were formed into No. 33 Flight under the command of Wing Commander J.D. Grierson on 2 February 1981 . The flight 's first mission took place the same day , when it ferried RAAF members and their families to RAAF Base Butterworth , Malaysia , a task that had previously necessitated a Qantas charter . 
