No 278 Squadron formed on 1 July 2003. The squadron's formation removes day-to-day management responsibility of No. 78 Wing RAAF Technical Training and Operational Flight Trainer support elements from the Wing Headquarters. No 278 Squadron had a combined Air Force/Australian Public Service workforce of 80, serving in Technical Training Flights at Williamtown and Amberley, and in Hornet Operational Flight Trainers at Williamtown and Tindal.