Veterans Support

From 1942 until 1946, the Mildura Airfield was a RAAF Base being the home of the No.2 Operational Training Unit (2OTU). The role of 2OTU was to provide operational fighter conversion and training to pilots before they were posted to their operational squadrons.

1,247 pilots flew Wirraway, Boomerang, Spitfire, Kittyhawk and Mustang aircraft at the base. Many famous airmen trained or instructed at the Mildura base, including former Prime Minister John Gorton, SQNLDR “Bluey” Truscott DFC & Bar, WGCDR Bobby Gibbes DSO DFC & Bar and GPCAPT Clive “Killer” Caldwell DSO DFC.

To preserve this important part of Mildura’s heritage, a museum has been established in the old RAAF Headquarters building which is one of the few remaining structures on the airfield from the World War 2 era.

The Museum contains a large number of RAAF memorabilia & displays relating to the activities of 2OTU at Mildura and wartime operations elsewhere. Visitors are welcome to leisurely browse the displays in four display rooms and the corridors or be guided by our friendly volunteer staff.

Souvenirs are available.

The centre piece of the Memorial is a life size bronze sculpture of an Airman commemorating all Australian Flying Corps and Royal Australian Air Force personnel who did not return from service. Surrounding the rear of the Memorial are three smaller black granite memorials listing the names of the Mildura district airmen who did not return, those who died while serving at Mildura and those who served at Mildura but did not return from service elsewhere.