486 Squadron was a maintenance unit of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

86 (Transport) Wing, which operated Douglas C-47 Dakotas out of RAAF Station Schofields, New South Wales.

It relocated again to RAAF Base Canberra in April 1954, before returning to Richmond in August 1958 to commence maintenance of No.

486 (Maintenance) Squadron was established at RAAF Station Schofields, New South Wales, on 26 August 1946.

486 Squadron's role included servicing and replacing engines, and fitting long-range fuel tanks and spraying equipment.

It occasionally serviced CAC Wirraways in addition to its Dakota maintenance tasks.

86 Wing was transferred to RAAF Base Canberra to help satisfy the Federal government's VIP transport needs.

[1][5] The squadron returned to Richmond on 29 August 1958 in anticipation of the entry into RAAF service of the Lockheed C-130A Hercules.

[1] The official history of the post-war Air Force described the Hercules as "probably the biggest step-up in aircraft capabilities" the RAAF had ever received, considering it roughly four times as effective as the Dakota, taking into account the improvements in payload, range, and speed.

486 Squadron was maintaining three types of transport aircraft: Hercules, Dakotas and Metropolitans.

86 Wing was disbanded following the entry into service of the RAAF's first de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou tactical transports in April 1964.

486 Squadron was re-formed under the auspices of RAAF Base Richmond to service both C-130 models.

It played a significant role supporting relief efforts in the wake of Cyclone Tracy, which struck Darwin, Northern Territory, on Christmas Day 1974.

[14] These nineteen aircraft flew over 1,250 hours, carrying more than 7,000 passengers and over 1,000,000 pounds (450,000 kg) of cargo.

86 Wing re-formed at Richmond on 2 February 1987, under the newly established Air Lift Group (ALG).

486 Squadron sending detachments to several locations throughout the country to cope with increased maintenance demands.

[23] In May 1993, squadron personnel accompanied Hercules and 707s transporting Australian troops from Somalia after they had taken part in United Nations humanitarian operations.

[25] One of its challenges was the availability of spare parts for the Boeing's ageing Pratt & Whitney JT3D engines.