Air Force personnel joined dignitaries, veterans and the broader community in Adelaide to honour Bomber Command aviators and reflect on their enduring legacy 80 years after the end of World War II.
The annual Bomber Command Commemorative Service paid tribute to the courage, sacrifice and airmanship of the nearly 10,000 Australians who served in Bomber Command, more than a third of whom lost their lives.
Current Air Force squadrons 460, 462 and 464 trace their origins to Bomber Command and continue to embody the values and legacy of those who came before them.
Veterans of Bomber Command, Flying Officer Howard Hendrick and Flying Officer Raymond Merrill attended the service and received heartfelt tributes from serving aviators and the community.
Both members completed full tours of duty with Bomber Command and have become enduring inspiration in the Adelaide community for their service and for the current and future generations.
Their presence was a powerful reminder of the living connection to this extraordinary chapter in Air Force history.
Commanding Officer 462 Squadron, Wing Commander Andrew McCarron, spoke of the day's significance for all generations of Air Force aviators.
'They have set the highest of standards and an enduring legacy for all of us to embrace and aspire to.'
"We pay homage to the courage and bravery of the Bomber Command aviators. We acknowledge their remarkable achievements and honour the supreme sacrifice of more than 55,000 members who lost their lives," Wing Commander McCarron said.
"They have set the highest of standards and an enduring legacy for all of us to embrace and aspire to."
He reflected on the staggering loss rate, noting that more than one-third of the 10,000 Australians who served in Bomber Command did not return, with squadrons such as 460 Squadron losing more than three times their strength over the course of the war.
Catafalque party member Flight Lieutenant Freya Price, from 462 Squadron, said the opportunity to honour past generations was deeply personal.
"The courage, selflessness, and dedication to service shown by the aviators who served in WW2 is truly incredible," Flight Lieutenant Price said.
"Their example is such an inspiration to me, and I strive to embody those same values in my own service."
Bomber Command aviators left behind a legacy of courage and character that continues to shape the Royal Australian Air Force today.
As current and future generations face new and complex challenges, their example provides a foundation of strength, service and sacrifice to build upon.
"Bomber Command aviators left us a legacy of courage and character," Wing Commander McCarron said.
"It's up to us to carry it forward."
