 The unit was re @-@ established in February 1981 as a flight , equipped with two Boeing 707s for VIP and other long @-@ range transport duties out of RAAF Base Richmond , New South Wales . No. 33 Flight was re @-@ formed as a full squadron in July 1983 . By 1988 it was operating six 707s , four of which were subsequently converted for aerial refuelling . The 707s saw active service during operations in Namibia , Somalia , the Persian Gulf , and Afghanistan . One of the transport jets was lost in a crash in October 1991 . No. 33 Squadron relocated to Amberley and was temporarily without aircraft following the retirement of the 707s in June 2008 . It began re @-@ equipping with KC @-@ 30As in June 2011 , and achieved initial operating capability with the type in February 2013 . One of its aircraft was deployed to the Middle East in September 2014 , as part of Australia 's contribution to the military coalition against ISIS . 
