RAAF History and Heritage

✈️ More Than Just Aircraft

Aviation history is not just preserved in museums: it is carried in the stories of those who lived it.

During a recent visit to Royal Australian Air Force Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre, Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) Eddie Miro, Chief of Training for the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, took time to reflect on the deep and enduring aviation ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

His visit followed the opening of the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery Aviation Heritage Centre in Port Moresby in 2025, developed in partnership with RAAF History and Heritage, a powerful step in preserving shared regional aviation stories.

Among the highlights was the Second World War exhibition, a reminder of the critical partnership of Northern Australia and PNG in the Pacific theatre. Equally meaningful for LTCOL Miro was seeing the iconic Bell UH-1 Iroquois, an aircraft rich in history and personal significance, for he flew it early in his career.

Moments like these reinforce why aviation heritage matters: it connects generations, nations and service, ensuring the legacy of aviation history continues to inspire those who follow.



Defence Australia

LIVING LEGEND

At 104 years young, Second World War aviator Flying Officer Leonard “Len” Mills continues to embody resilience, humility and quiet heroism.

Last December, Len was honoured by No 37 Squadron with a special Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags), recognising a remarkable life of service.

Len’s journey began in December 1940 when he enlisted in the Australian Army but it did not take long for him to make a life-changing decision.

“The Air Force mess had tablecloths, salt and pepper shakers, condiments and cutlery. In the Army, we ate mush out of tins … I decided there and then to transfer.”

That decision led him to Royal Air Force No 15 Squadron – a unit comprising aviators from across the Commonwealth –where he served as a wireless operator, completing 34 missions aboard aircraft including the iconic Avro Lancaster. From supporting the D-Day landings to navigating night skies using H2S radar, Len says he witnessed both the terror and the beauty of war.

Len completed his service in 1944 and remained with the Royal Australian Air Force until 1946. He went on to live a full and meaningful life, working as a train driver, sharing 62 years of marriage and becoming a great-grandfather.

https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2026-04-09/104-years-34-missions-one-remarkable-life



Defence Australia
RAAF History and Heritage

At dawn today at Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville, we gathered in quiet reflection to mark the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.

As the first light broke, we honoured the courage, sacrifice and enduring spirit of all who have served, past and present.

The solemnity of the ANZAC Dawn Service was strengthened by the precision of the No. 101 Squadron cadets, whose catafalque party stood in silent vigil, embodying respect, discipline and remembrance.

Their commitment reminds us that the legacy of ANZAC lives on through future generations.

Lest We Forget.

RAAF History and Heritage
Defence Australia

Stitched with Love, Given with Honour 🧵❤️

At a recent medal presentation that included stories of service and sacrifice, we were reminded that honour doesn’t always come in the form of medals. Sometimes it comes wrapped in fabric, care and quiet compassion.

Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags) founded by Jan-Maree Ball OAM, creates quilts and laundry bags for past and present Defence members—each one handmade by volunteers who have enormous hearts. What began as a simple idea has grown into a remarkable Australia-wide movement, delivering comfort, dignity and recognition to those who serve, and to those who carry the cost of service long after they have hung up their uniform.

At a recent ceremony, two beautiful Fallen Warrior quilts were presented to the families of William “Billy” Kinloch and Justin Mulligan. These quilts are symbols of gratitude, of remembrance and of a nation saying you are not forgotten.

Jan-Maree, a veteran herself, speaks passionately about why her work matters: because service is not just a job, it is a life of missed moments, sudden deployments and families who live with uncertainty every day.

Aussie Hero Quilts exists to acknowledge that sacrifice, whether for a member on deployment, a veteran in need, or a family who has lost far too much.

To Jan-Maree and the volunteers of Aussie Hero Quilts: thank you for wrapping our people and their families in care, when words alone are not enough.

Lest we forget. 🕊️🎖️

Defence Australia

Honouring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future ✈️🎖

History came powerfully to life for No 3 Squadron (3SQN) at Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown recently.

As part of Air Force’s Living History Program, 3SQN personnel, families and guests gathered to hear The Life and Legacy of Hero Tom Carmody—presented by RAAF History and Heritage in the presence of Tom’s family.

It was a deeply moving presentation, connecting a hero’s story directly with those who continue to wear the Squadron’s badge today.

Shared during 3SQN’s 110th anniversary year, the presentation highlighted the enduring links between past and present. This was further marked by the presentation of Tom’s WW1 diary, containing a piece of red fabric from the Red Baron aircraft, entrusted to Air Force History and Heritage by the Carmody family.

This rare artefact is a powerful symbol of courage, sacrifice and the responsibility of preserving history.

Together, these moments reinforced what has endured across more than a century of service: courage, mateship, and honour in the legacy of 3SQN—one that continues to inspire future generations.

Lest we forget. 🕊️

Defence Australia

Medals Home at Last ✈️🎖️

An 81-year-old mystery has finally been solved and a family has been reunited with the wartime medals of an Australian aviator who never made it home.

Warrant Officer William “Billy” Kinloch of No 464 Squadron (464SQN) Royal Australian Air Force was just 22 when he was killed on an early-morning mission on 13 January 1945. His close friend and navigator, Flying Officer Justin Mulligan, also 22, was killed alongside him. Together, they’d flown more than 60 missions.

Thanks to a routine historical check by RAAF History and Heritage, it was discovered the medals Billy was entitled to had never been presented to his family. On 10 March 2026 at RAAF Base Williamtown—more than eight decades later—those medals were finally placed into the hands of Billy’s loved ones, alongside the family of Justin Mulligan. Members of today’s 464SQN attended the emotional presentation.

It is s a powerful reminder that Australians’ military service is never forgotten, no matter how much time has passed.

Lest we forget.

Defence Australia