 By the mid @-@ 1990s , the ageing 707s carrying Australian VIPs overseas were no longer compliant with foreign noise and emission regulations . No. 33 Squadron relinquished its VIP transport role in 2002 , following the entry into service of No. 34 Squadron 's Boeing 737 Business Jets and Bombardier Challenger 604s . The squadron was awarded the Gloucester Cup in May 2007 , " in recognition of its high levels of proficiency demonstrated over the year " in spite of the challenges of operating the obsolescent 707s , and for having " performed superbly on a number of high @-@ profile missions " . The 707s were retired in 2008 , bringing to an end the 29 @-@ year operational history of the type in the RAAF . The last one in service , an ex @-@ Qantas jet named " Richmond Town " , made a low @-@ level farewell flight over Sydney on 30 June in the company of smaller aircraft filming the occasion , which gave rise to fear in some quarters that a 9 / 11 @-@ style terrorist attack was in progress . Three 707s remained at Richmond until 2011 , when they were flown out by their new operator , the US @-@ based Omega Air Services ; Omega also procured the RAAF 's Boeing simulator , which had been operated by No. 285 Squadron . 
