The
Royal Australian Air Force (
RAAF) is the
Air ForceAn air force, also known in some countries as an air army or historically an army air corps, is in the broadest sense, the national military that primarily conducts aerial warfare...
branch of the
Australian Defence ForceThe Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units....
. The RAAF began in March 1912 as the
Australian Flying Corps making it the second oldest air force in the world. It became a fully independent Air Force in March 1921.
The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts including both World Wars, the
Korean WarThe Korean War is a war that started between North Korea and South Korea on 25 June 1950 and paused with an armistice signed 27 July, 1953...
and the
Vietnam WarThe Vietnam War or the Second Indochina War was a Cold War military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1959 to 30 April 1975...
. More recently the RAAF participated in the
2003 invasion of IraqThe 2003 invasion of Iraq, was led by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia, Denmark, Poland and Spain. Four countries participated with troops during the initial invasion phase, which lasted from March 20 to May 1...
. The motto on the RAAF's coat of arms is the
LatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Roman conquest, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe...
phrase
Per Ardua ad AstraAd astra is a Latin phrase meaning "to the stars". The phrase has its origin with Virgil, who wrote sic itur ad astra and opta ardua pennis astra sequi, .Seneca the Younger later wrote non est ad astra mollis e terris...
, which means "Through Struggle to the Stars".
World War I
Soon after the outbreak of
World War IWorld War I , also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Wars, was a global military conflict which involved most of the world's great powers, assembled in two opposing alliances: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance...
in 1914, the Australian Flying Corps sent aircraft to assist in capturing
German coloniesGerman New Guinea was a former German protectorate from 1884 to 1914, consisting of the northeastern part of New Guinea and several nearby island groups. German New Guinea is now entirely part of Papua New Guinea....
in what is now north-east
New GuineaNew Guinea, located north of Australia, is the world's second largest island. It became separated from the Australian mainland when the area now known as the Torres Strait flooded after the last glacial period. The name Papua has long been associated with the island...
. These colonies surrendered quickly however, before the planes were even unpacked. The first operational flights did not occur until 27 May 1915, when the
Mesopotamian Half FlightThe Mesopotamian Half-Flight, or Australian Half-Flight was the first Australian Flying Corps unit to see active service.At the start of World War I, the air forces of the Allied forces were small and primitive. Most of the available aircraft and pilots were assigned to the Western Front...
was called upon to assist the
Indian ArmyThe Indian Army , now sometimes called the British Indian Army to distinguish it from the modern army of the Republic of India, was the principal army of the British Raj in India during the last half-century before the partition of India in 1947.The Indian Army served both in India and,...
in protecting British oil interests in what is now
IraqIraq , officially the Republic of Iraq , also known as Mesopotamia, is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert.Iraq shares borders with Jordan to the west, Syria...
.
The Corps later saw action in
EgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Western Asia...
,
PalestinePalestine is a conventional name used, among others, to describe a geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands.As a geographical term, Palestine can also refer to 'ancient Palestine,' an area...
and on the
Western FrontWestern Front was a term used during the First and Second World Wars to describe the "contested armed frontier" between lands controlled by Germany to the East and the Allies to the West...
throughout the remainder of
World War IWorld War I , also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Wars, was a global military conflict which involved most of the world's great powers, assembled in two opposing alliances: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance...
. By the end of the war, four squadrons had seen active service.460 officers and 2,234 other ranks served in the AFC, whilst another 200 men served as aircrew in the British flying services. Casualties included 175 dead, 111 wounded, 6 gassed and 40 captured.
Units of the AFC
| Operational Squadrons |
Training Squadrons |
| No. 1 Squadron AFC No. 1 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. Based at RAAF Amberley, it currently operates the F-111 bomber.-World War I:...
|
No.5 (Training) Squadron AFC No. 5 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force training, army co-operation and helicopter squadron. The Squadron was first formed in 1917 and was disbanded in December 1989.-Squadron history:...
|
| No.2 Squadron AFC No. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. From its formation in 1916, it has operated a variety of aircraft types including fighters, bombers, and Airborne Early Warning & Control.-History:...
|
No.6 (Training) Squadron AFC-History:The Squadron was first formed in 1917 in Yatesbury, England and currently operates F-111 aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley.The Squadron served as a training unit based in England during the First World War and saw combat as a light bomber squadron in the Second World War.No...
|
No.3 Squadron AFCNo. 3 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. It was first formed in 1916 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown, near Sydney.-World War I:...
|
No.7 (Training) Squadron AFC No. 7 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force flying training squadron of World War I and medium bomber squadron of World War II. The Squadron was first formed in October 1917 and was disbanded in December 1945 after seeing action during the Pacific War....
|
| No.4 Squadron AFC No. 4 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron responsible for training forward air controllers. The squadron was previously a fighter and army co-operation unit active in both World War I and World War II.-World War I:...
|
No.8 (Training) Squadron AFC No. 8 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force flying training squadron of World War I and medium bomber squadron of World War II. The Squadron was first formed in October 1917 and was disbanded in January 1946 after seeing action during the Pacific War....
|
AFC World War I
flying aceA flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of air victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more.It is said that fighter aces are a dying...
s include the following pilots:
- A. H. "Harry" Cobby
Air Commodore Arthur Henry Cobby CBE, DSO, DFC & Two Bars, GM was an Australian military aviator. He was the leading fighter ace in the Australian Flying Corps during World War I, with a total of 29 victories, although he saw active service for less than a year...
(29)
- Elwyn King
Elwyn Roy "Bo" King DSO, DFC was an Australian fighter pilot and ace in World War I. He scored 26 aerial victories in combat during the war, making him the fourth best Australian pilot in terms of wins...
(26)
- Alexander Pentland
Alexander Augustus Norman Dudley Pentland MC, DFC, AFC was an Australian flying ace in World War I. He served in the RFC from 1916 until the end of the war, attaining the rank of Captain. He shot down 23 enemy aircraft in that time, making him the 5th highest-scoring Australian ace of the war,...
(23)
- Edgar McCloughry
Air Vice Marshal Edgar James Kingston McCloughry CB, CBE, DSO, DFC & Bar was an Australian World War I fighter pilot and flying ace. He shot down 21 aircraft and military balloons during the war, making him the 6th highest-scoring Australian ace...
(21)
- Edgar Johnston
Edgar Charles Johnston DFC was an Australian fighter pilot and ace of World War I. He shot down 20 German aircraft between his entry into the war in 1917 and the war's end in 1918, making him the 5th highest-scoring Australian pilot of the war. He flew with No...
(20)
- Andrew Cowper
Andrew King Cowper MC & Two Bars was an Australian fighter pilot and ace of World War I. He shot down 19 German aircraft between his entry into the war in 1917 and the end of the war in 1918, tying him with Cedric Howell as the 6th highest-scoring Australian pilot of the war...
(19)
- Cedric Howell
Cedric Ernest Howell DSO, MC, DFC , or Spike to his squadron mates, was an Australian fighter pilot and ace of World War I. He shot down 19 German aircraft between his entry into the air war in 1917 and the end of the war in 1918, setting him on par with Andrew Cowper as the 6th highest-scoring...
(19)
- Fred Holliday (17)
- Allan Hepburn
Wing Commander Allan Hepburn, DFC, was an Australian World War I flying ace, who was born in Melbourne, Victoria. He scored 16 victories during his flying career.-External links:*...
(16)
- Francis Ryan Smith (16)
- John Rutherford Gordon
John Rutherford Gordon MC was an Australian fighter pilot and ace of World War I. As a sergeant No 1 section, A Coy, 10 Battalion he took part in the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, Turkey, 25 April 1915. He received his commission while serving at Gallipoli...
(15)
- Roy Cecil Phillipps (15)
Europe and the Mediterranean
In 1939, just after the start of
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Australia joined the Empire Air Training Scheme, under which flight crews received basic training in Australia before travelling to
CanadaCanada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
for advanced training. A total of 19 RAAF bomber, fighter, reconnaissance and other squadrons served initially in
BritainThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, and many small islands...
, and/or with the
Desert Air ForceThe Desert Air Force , also known chronologically as Air Headquarters Western Desert, Air Headquarters Libya, AHQ Western Desert, the Western Desert Air Force, Desert Air Force, and the First Tactical Air Force , was an Allied tactical air force initially created from No...
, in
North AfricaNorth Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa.Geopolitically, the UN definition of Northern Africa includes the following seven countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia,Mauritania, and...
and the Mediterranean. About nine per cent of the personnel who served under British RAF commands in Europe and the Mediterranean were RAAF personnel.
With British manufacturing targeted by the
LuftwaffeLuftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1933 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956.Schweizer Luftwaffe is also the name of the Swiss Air...
, the Australian government created the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP; later known as the Government Aircraft Factory) to supply Commonwealth air forces and the RAAF was eventually provided with large numbers of locally-built versions of British designs like the
DAP BeaufortThe Bristol Type 152 Beaufort was a British large twin-engined torpedo bomber designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and developed from the earlier Blenheim light bomber....
torpedo bomberA torpedo bomber is a bomber aircraft designed primarily to attack ships with aerial torpedoes, but they could also carry out conventional bombings. Torpedo bombers existed almost exclusively prior to and during World War II when they were an important player in many famous battles, notably the...
.
In the
European Theatre of World War IIThe European Theatre of World War II was a huge area of heavy fighting across Europe from Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 until the end of the war with the German unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945...
, RAAF personnel were especially notable in
RAF Bomber CommandRAF Bomber Command was the organisation that controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II, the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s was at the peak of its postwar power with the V bombers and a...
: they represented two percent of all RAAF personnel during the war, but accounted for 23% of the total number killed in action. This statistic is further illustrated by the fact that
No. 460 Squadron RAAFNumber 460 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force was raised during World War II at RAF Molesworth, in England on November 15, 1941. It was a multinational unit, but most personnel were Australian.-History:...
, mostly flying
Avro LancasterThe Avro Lancaster was a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF and squadrons from other...
s, had an official establishment of about 200 aircrew and yet had 1,018 combat deaths. The squadron was therefore effectively wiped out five times over.
Pacific War
The beginning of the
Pacific WarThe Pacific War was the part of World War II—and preceding conflicts—that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia. The war began as a conflict with the Empire of Japan and the Republic of China on July 7, 1937, but by December 1941, became part of the greater World War II,...
— and the rapid advance of
JapanThe Empire of Japan was a Japanese political entity that existed during the period from the...
ese forces — threatened the Australian mainland for the first time. The RAAF was quite unprepared for the emergency, and initially had negligible forces available for service in the Pacific.
In 1941 and early 1942, many RAAF airmen, including
21No. 21 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force general reserve squadron. It saw action as a fighter, dive bomber and heavy bomber unit during World War II.-History:...
and
453 SquadronNo. 453 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force was formed during World War II. 453 Squadron came into existence at Bankstown in New South Wales on May 23, 1941. The squadron's motto was Ready to strike. It was raised under the Empire Air Training Scheme.- Malaya and Singapore :The squadron was...
s, saw action with the RAF Far East Command in the
MalayanThe Battle of Malaya was a campaign fought by Allied and Japanese forces in Malaya, from December 8 1941 to January 31 1942 during the Second World War. The campaign was dominated by land battles between British Commonwealth army units, and the Imperial Japanese Army...
,
SingaporeThe Battle of Singapore was fought in the South-East Asian theatre of World War II when the Empire of Japan invaded the Allied stronghold of Singapore. Singapore was the major British military base in South East Asia and nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the East"...
and Dutch East Indies campaigns. Allied fighter pilots, in particular, performed well in the campaign, despite being outnumbered and the fact that many were allocated sub-standard examples of the
Brewster BuffaloThe Brewster F2A was an American fighter aircraft which saw limited service during World War II. In 1939, the F2A became the first monoplane fighter aircraft used by the US Navy...
.
The devastating air raids on Darwin on 19 February 1942 drove the point home. Some RAAF squadrons were transferred from the
northern hemisphereThe Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of the equator—the word hemisphere literally means 'half sphere'. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
— although a substantial number remained there until the end of the war. Shortages of fighter and
ground attackIn military tactics, close air support is air action against hostile targets that requires detailed coordination and integration with ground forces. It is typically used to support ground troops, providing firepower at critical points....
planes led to the acquisition of
USThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-built
P-40The Curtiss P-40 was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. It was used by the air forces of 28 nations, including those of most Allied powers during World War II, and remained in front line service until the end of the war...
Kittyhawks and the rapid design and manufacture of the first Australian fighter, the
CAC BoomerangThe CAC Boomerang was a World War II fighter aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia between 1942 and 1945. The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation gave Boomerangs the model numbers CA-12, CA-13, CA-14 and CA-19...
. RAAF Kittyhawks came to play a crucial role in the
New GuineaNew Guinea, located north of Australia, is the world's second largest island. It became separated from the Australian mainland when the area now known as the Torres Strait flooded after the last glacial period. The name Papua has long been associated with the island...
and
Solomon IslandsThe Solomon Islands is a country in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. Together they cover a land mass of 28,400 square kilometres . The capital is Honiara, located on the island of Guadalcanal.The Solomon Islands are believed to have been...
campaigns, especially in operations like the
Battle of Milne BayThe Battle of Milne Bay was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. Japanese marines attacked the Australian base at Milne Bay on the eastern tip of New Guinea on 25 August 1942, and fighting continued until the Japanese retreated on 5 September 1942, however armed resistance ended on 7...
. As a response to a possible Japanese chemical warfare threat the RAAF imported hundreds of thousands of chemical weapons into Australia.
In the
Battle of the Bismarck SeaThe Battle of the Bismarck Sea was a battle in the South West Pacific Area during World War II, in which planes of the United States Fifth Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force , attacked a Japanese convoy carrying troops to Lae, New Guinea...
, imported
Bristol BeaufighterThe Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
s proved to be highly effective ground attack and maritime strike aircraft. Beaufighters were later made locally by the DAP. Although it was much bigger than Japanese fighters, the Beaufighter had the speed to outrun them.
The RAAF's
heavy bomberthumb|The [[B-29 Superfortress]], a heavy bomber.A heavy bomber is a bomber aircraft of the largest size, and typically longest ranges. The term was used primarily prior to and during World War II, when engine power was so scarce that designs had to be carefully tailored to their missions...
force was predominantly 287
B-24 LiberatorThe Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, built by Consolidated Aircraft. It was produced in greater numbers than any other American combat aircraft of World War II and still holds the record as the most produced U.S. military aircraft. It was used by many Allied air forces and...
s, which could bomb Japanese targets as far away as
BorneoBorneo is the third largest island in the world and is located at the centre of Maritime Southeast Asia. Administratively, this island is divided among Indonesia , Malaysia and Brunei . Indonesians refer to the island as Kalimantan...
and the
PhilippinesThe Philippines officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is a country in Southeast Asia with Manila as its capital city. It comprises 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean....
from airfields in Australia and New Guinea.
By late 1945, the RAAF had received or ordered about 500
P-51 MustangThe North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was a long-range single-seat World War II fighter aircraft. Designed, built and airborne in just 117 days, the Mustang first flew in RAF service as a fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft before conversion to a bomber escort, employed in raids over...
s, for fighter/ground attack purposes. The
Commonwealth Aircraft CorporationThe Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation was an Australian aircraft manufacturer. The CAC was established in 1936, to provide Australia with the capability to produce military aircraft and engines.-History:...
initially assembled US-made Mustangs, but later manufactured most of those used. The RAAF's main operational formation, the
First Tactical Air ForceThe Australian First Tactical Air Force was formed on 25 October 1944 by the Royal Australian Air Force to provide fighter and ground attack support to Allied ground and naval forces, fighting the Empire of Japan in the South West Pacific Area...
, comprised more than 18,000 personnel and 20 squadrons; it had taken part in the
PhilippinesThe Philippines officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is a country in Southeast Asia with Manila as its capital city. It comprises 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean....
and
BorneoBorneo is the third largest island in the world and is located at the centre of Maritime Southeast Asia. Administratively, this island is divided among Indonesia , Malaysia and Brunei . Indonesians refer to the island as Kalimantan...
campaigns and was scheduled to participate in the invasion of the Japanese mainland,
Operation DownfallOperation Downfall was the overall Allied plan for the invasion of Japan near the end of World War II. The operation was cancelled when Japan surrendered after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan.Operation Downfall had two parts:...
. So too were the RAAF bomber squadrons in Europe, as part of the proposed
Tiger ForceTiger Force, also known as the Very Long Range Bomber Force, was the name given to a World War II British Commonwealth long range heavy bomber force, formed in 1945, from squadrons serving with RAF Bomber Command in Europe, for proposed use against targets in Japan...
. However, the war was brought to a sudden end by the US
nuclear attackThe atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were nuclear attacks near the end of World War II against the Empire of Japan by the United States at the executive order of U.S. President Harry S. Truman on August 6 and August 9, 1945, respectively...
s on Japan. As a result of the Empire Air Training Scheme, about 20,000 Australian personnel had served with other Commonwealth air forces in Europe during World War II. A total of 216,900 men and women served in the RAAF, of whom 11,061 were killed in action.
Service since 1945
During the
Berlin Airlift, in 1948-1949, an RAAF
squadronThe Berlin Airlift Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron raised to participate in the Berlin Airlift. The Squadron was formed at RAAF Base Richmond in August 1948 from C-47 Dakota crews drawn from No. 36 and No. 38 squadrons. In late August the crews travelled to the United...
of Dakotas aided the international effort to fly in supplies to the stricken city; two RAF York aircraft were also crewed by RAAF crews. Although a small part of the operation the RAAF contribution was significant, flying 2062 sorties and carrying 7030 tons of freight and 6964 passengers.
In the
Korean WarThe Korean War is a war that started between North Korea and South Korea on 25 June 1950 and paused with an armistice signed 27 July, 1953...
, from 1950-53, Mustangs from
No. 77 SquadronNo. 77 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. The Squadron was formed in 1942 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown.-History:...
(77 Sqn), stationed in Japan with the
British Commonwealth Occupation ForceThe British Commonwealth Occupation Force , was the name of the joint Australian, British, Indian and New Zealand military forces in occupied Japan, from 21 February 1946 until the end of occupation in 1952...
, were among the first
United NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and the achieving of world peace...
aircraft to be deployed, in ground support, combat air patrol, and escort missions. When the UN planes were confronted by
MiG-15The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was a jet fighter developed for the USSR by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in...
jet fighters, 77 Sqn acquired
Gloster MeteorThe Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. Designed by George Carter, it first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
s, which enabled some success against the Soviet pilots flying for
North KoreaNorth Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , is a state in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer area between North Korea and South Korea...
. However the MiGs were superior aircraft and the Meteors were relegated to ground support missions, as the North Koreans gained experience. The air force also operated transport aircraft during the conflict. No. 77 Squadron flew 18872 sorties, claiming the destruction of 3700 buildings, 1408 vehicles, 16 bridges, 98 railway carriages and an unknown number of enemy personnel. 3 MiG-15s were confirmed destroyed, and 2 others probably destroyed. RAAF casualties included 41 killed and 7 captured; 66 aircraft – 22 Mustangs and 44 Meteors – were lost.
In the
Malayan EmergencyThe Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
, from 1950-1960, 6 Lincolns from
No. 1 SquadronNo. 1 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. Based at RAAF Amberley, it currently operates the F-111 bomber.-World War I:...
(1 Sqn) and a flight of Dakotas from
No. 38 SquadronNo. 38 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. The Squadron was formed in 1943 and currently operates de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou aircraft from RAAF Base Townsville, as of 2008, in the tactical transport role....
(38 Sqn) took part in operations against the CTs as part of the Far East Air Force (FEAF). The Dakotas were used on cargo runs, in troop movement and in paratroop and leaflet drops with in Malaya. The Lincolns, operating from bases in Singapore and from Kuala Lumpur, formed the backbone of the air war against the CTs, conducting bombing missions against their jungle bases. Although results were often difficult to assess, they allowed the government to harass CT forces, attack their base camps when identified and keep them on the move. Later, in 1958, Canberra bombers from
No. 2 SquadronNo. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. From its formation in 1916, it has operated a variety of aircraft types including fighters, bombers, and Airborne Early Warning & Control.-History:...
(2 Sqn) were deployed to Malaya and took part in bombing missions against the CTs.
During the
Vietnam WarThe Vietnam War or the Second Indochina War was a Cold War military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1959 to 30 April 1975...
, from 1966-72, the RAAF contributed squadrons of Caribou
STOLSTOL is an acronym for short take-off and landing, a term used to describe aircraft with very short runway requirements.The formal NATO definition is:...
transport aircraft (
No. 35 SquadronNo. 35 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force transport unit. First formed in 1942, No. 35 Squadron saw action in World War II and the Vietnam War.-History:...
),
UH-1 IroquoisThe UH-1 Iroquois is a multipurpose military helicopter, famous for its use in the Vietnam War. It is commonly known as the "Huey"....
helicopters (
No. 9 SquadronNo. 9 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. The Squadron saw active service in World War II and the Vietnam War before being disbanded in 1989.-Fleet co-operation:...
) and
English Electric CanberraThe English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. It proved to be highly adaptable, serving in such varied roles for tactical bombing, photographic, electronic, and meteorological reconnaissance...
bombers (
No. 2 SquadronNo. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. From its formation in 1916, it has operated a variety of aircraft types including fighters, bombers, and Airborne Early Warning & Control.-History:...
). The Canberras flew 11,963 bombing
sortieSortie is a term for deployment or dispatch of one military unit, be it an aircraft, ship, or troops from a strongpoint. The sortie, whether by one or more aircraft or vessels, usually has a specific mission....
s, and two aircraft were lost. One went missing during a bombing raid. The wreckage of the aircraft was recovered in April 2009, and the remains of Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver were found in late July 2009. The other was shot down by a surface to air missile, although both crew were rescued. They dropped 76389 bombs and were credited with 786 enemy personnel confirmed killed and a further 3390 estimated killed, 8637 structures, 15568 bunkers, 1267 sampans and 74 bridges destroyed. RAAF transport aircraft also supported anti-communist ground forces. The UH-1 helicopters were used in many roles including Dustoff (medical evacuation) and Bushranger Gunships for armed support. RAAF casualties in Vietnam included 6 killed in action, 8 non-battle fatalities, 30 wounded in action and 30 injured.
Military airlifts were conducted for a number of purposes in the intervening decades, such as the peacekeeping operations in
East TimorEast Timor, also known as Timor-Leste is a country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecussi-Ambeno, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
from 1999.
Australia's combat aircraft were not used again in combat until the
Iraq War in 2003, when 14 F/A-18s from
No. 75 SquadronNo. 75 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter unit based at RAAF Tindal in the Northern Territory. The Squadron was formed in 1942 and saw extensive action in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II. It was most recently in action in Iraq in 2003 as part of the Australian...
operated in the escort and ground attack roles, flying a total of 350 sorties and dropping 122 laser guided bombs.
Since August 2007, a detachment of
No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit RAAFNo. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit is a Royal Australian Air Force radar unit. 114 MCRU is currently the RAAF's only easily deployable radar unit and regularly deploys into the field from its home base at RAAF Base Darwin during military exercises.-History:114MCRU was formed as 14 Fighter...
has been on active service at
Kandahar AirfieldKandahar International Airport is located 10 miles south-east of Kandahar City in Afghanistan. The airport was built by the United States in the 1960s, under the United States Agency for International Development program. It may have been intended to be used as a possible U.S...
in southern
AfghanistanThe Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a landlocked country in south central Asia. It is variously described as being located within Central Asia, South Asia, or the Middle East...
. Approximately 75 personnel deployed with the TPS 77 radar assigned with the responsibility to coordinate coalition combat air operations.
Ranks and uniform
The RAAF uses RAF-derived ranks for both officers and other ranks, with the following exceptions:
- the RAAF does not use "Technician" ranks
- non-commissioned aircrew do not wear an eagle above their chevrons
- the insignia for Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman (LAC/W) is a single chevron, rather than a two-bladed propeller
- there is no Senior Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman (SAC) rank.
Unlike their British, Canadian and New Zealand counterparts, they do not wear a blue-grey uniform.
AUSTRALIA on slip-on rank
epauletteEpaulette is a French word meaning "little shoulder" . Epaulettes are a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia or rank by the military and other organizations...
s or otherwise known as (SRI) 'Soft Rank Insignia' and are worn on the shoulders of the service dress uniform. When not in the service dress or "Ceremonial" uniform, RAAF personnel wear the Auscam DPCU, which has replaced the old working dress.
Roundel
The current version of the RAAF Roundel was formally adopted on the 2nd of July, 1956. The Roundel exists of a white inner circle with a
Red KangarooThe Red Kangaroo is the largest of all kangaroos, the largest mammal native to Australia, and the largest surviving marsupial...
surrounded by a royal blue circle. The kangaroo faces left, except when used on aircraft or vehicles, when the kangaroo should always face the front.
Originally, the Air Force used the existing red, white and blue Roundel of the
Royal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the United Kingdom's air force, the oldest independent air force in the world. Formed on 1 April 1918, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history ever since, playing a large part in World War II and in more recent conflicts.The RAF operates almost 1,109...
. However, during
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the inner red circle was removed after a No. 11 Squadron Catalina was mistaken for a Japanese aircraft by a US Navy Wildcat in the Pacific Theatre.
After the war, a range of options were proposed, including the Southern Cross, a boomerang, a sprig of wattle and the red kangaroo.
Royal Australian Air Force Badge
The RAAF badge was accepted by the
Chester HeraldChester Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. The office of Chester Herald dates from the 14th century, and it is reputed that the holder was herald to Edward, Prince of Wales, the Black Prince. In the reign of King Richard II the officer was attached...
in 1939. The badge is composed of the Imperial Crown mounted on a circle featuring the words Royal Australian Air Force, beneath which scroll work displays the Latin motto
Per Ardua Ad AstraPer ardua ad astra is the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces such as the RAAF, RNZAF, and the former RCAF. It dates from 1912 and was used by the newly-formed Royal Flying Corps.-Origin:...
. Surmounting the badge is a
wedge-tailed eagleThe Wedge-tailed Eagle or Eaglehawk is the largest raptor in Australia and is the most common of all the world's large eagles. It has long, fairly broad wings, fully feathered legs, and an unmistakable wedge-shaped tail...
. Per Ardua Ad Astra is attributed with the meaning “Through Struggle to the Stars” and is from Sir Henry Rider Haggard's novel
The People of the Mist.
Aircraft
As of 2007, the following aircraft are operated by the RAAF:
! style="text-align: left; background: #aabccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aabccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aabccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aabccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aabccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aabccc;"|Notes
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Fighter AircraftA fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets by dropping bombs. Fighters are small, fast, and maneuverable...
|-----
| McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
|
| Fighter/Attack
| Total
F/A-18A
F/A-18B
| 71
54
17
| Built in Australia under licence from McDonnell DouglasMcDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at St. Louis's Lambert International...
. The F/A-18 fleet has been the subject of various upgrades since it entered service in the 1980s and remains capable, but fatigue issues mean that it may not remain a viable front-line air defence option until the planned retirement date of 2015, although this is being mitigated through a centre barrel replacement program. They will be replaced by 100 F-35 Lightning IIThe Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable multirole fighter, that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions...
.
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Ground AttackIn military tactics, close air support is air action against hostile targets that requires detailed coordination and integration with ground forces. It is typically used to support ground troops, providing firepower at critical points....
|-----
| General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
|
| Strike
| Total
F-111C
RF-111C
| 21
17
4
| Mixture of the original long-range F-111C type, RF-111C reconnaissance variants, and ex-USAF F-111A (upgraded to most of the C specifications). These aircraft are due to be retired in 2010. 24 F/A-18FThe Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a 4.5+ generation carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft. The F/A-18E single-seat variant and F/A-18F tandem-seat variant are larger and more advanced derivatives of the F/A-18C and D Hornet. The Super Hornet has an internal 20 mm gun and can carry...
has been selected as an interim replacement.
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Trainers
|-----
| BAE Systems Hawk
|
| Lead-in Fighter Trainer
| Hawk 127
| 33
| fighter jet conversion trainer.
|-----
| Pilatus PC-9The Pilatus PC-9 is a single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.-Design and development:...
|
| Advanced Trainer
| PC-9
| 65
| Produced under licence in Australia by de Havilland AustraliaDe Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd was part of de Havilland, then became a separate company. It was purchased by Boeing and is now Hawker de Havilland Aerospace Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Boeing Australia, Ltd-Early Years and WWII:...
.
|-----
| Beechcraft Super King AirThe Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation . The King Air line comprises a number of model series that fall into two families: the Model 90 series, Model 100 series , Model 200 series and Model 300 series...
|
| Navigational Trainer
| B300
| 7
|
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Maritime PatrolMaritime patrol is the task of monitoring areas of water. Generally conducted by military and law enforcement agencies, maritime patrol is usually aimed at identifying human activities....
|-----
| AP-3C OrionThe Lockheed AP-3C Orion is a variant of the P-3 Orion used by the Royal Australian Air Force for tasks such as naval fleet support, maritime surveillance, search and survivor supply and anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare...
|
| Maritime Patrol/Strike
| Total
AP-3C
P-3C
| 21
18
3
| All aircraft to be withdrawn by 2018. Will probably be replaced by 8 BoeingThe Boeing Company is a major aerospace and defense corporation, founded by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Its international headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois, since 2001...
P-8 Poseidon and 7 large UAVs.
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transports
|-----
| Boeing Business JetThe Boeing Business Jet series are variants of Boeing airliners for the corporate jet market, initially the 737 series airliners. This aircraft usually seats between 25 and 50 passengers within a luxurious configuration. This may include a master bedroom, a washroom with shower, a conference/dining...
|
| VIP transport
| 737-700 BBJThe Boeing Business Jet series are variants of Boeing airliners for the corporate jet market, initially the 737 series airliners. This aircraft usually seats between 25 and 50 passengers within a luxurious configuration. This may include a master bedroom, a washroom with shower, a conference/dining...
| 2
| Long term lease, transport for government leaders and senior executives travelling on official business.
|-----
| Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIIThe Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. The C-17 was developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. The aircraft carries on the name of two previous United States military cargo aircraft, the C-74 Globemaster and...
|
| Strategic Transport
| C-17The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. The C-17 was developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. The aircraft carries on the name of two previous United States military cargo aircraft, the C-74 Globemaster and...
| 4
|
|-----
| Bombardier Challenger 600The Bombardier Challenger 600 series is a family of business jets designed by Bill Lear and produced first by Canadair until that company was bought by Bombardier Aerospace in 1986.-Development:...
|
| VIP transport
| CL 604
| 3
|
|-----
| de Havilland Canada DHC-4 CaribouThe de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou was a Canadian-designed and produced specialized cargo aircraft with short takeoff and landing capability...
|
| Tactical Transport
| DHC-4
| 10
| The DHC-4 will be retired in 2009 and replaced by 10 light tactical fixed-wing aircraft.
|-----
| Lockheed C-130 Hercules
|
| Transport
| C-130H
| 12
| Will be retired
|-----
| Lockheed C-130J Super HerculesThe Lockheed Martin C-130J "Super" Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the venerable Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems. The Hercules family has the longest continuous production...
|
| Transport
| C-130J-30
| 12
| Two more on order
|}
Small arms
- L9A1/L9A3 Self Loading Pistol (Browning Hi-Power)
The Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, 9mm semi-automatic handgun. It is based on a design by American firearms inventor John Browning, and later improved by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale of Herstal, Belgium...
- Glock 19 Jet Aircrew Pistol
The Glock is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Glock GmbH, located in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria. The company's founder, engineer Gaston Glock, had no experience with firearms design or manufacture at the time their first pistol, the Glock 17, was being prototyped...
- Heckler & Koch MP5 Sub-Machine Gun
The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar.It is currently used by the armed forces and law enforcement units of over 40 countries...
- Remington 870 shotgun
The Remington Model 870 is a U.S.-made pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, Inc. It is widely used by the public for target shooting, hunting, and self-defense...
- F88 Austeyr rifle (Steyr AUG)
The AUG is an Austrian bullpup 5.56mm assault rifle, designed in the early 1970s by Steyr Mannlicher GmbH & Co KG . The AUG was adopted by the Austrian Army as the StG 77 in 1977, where it replaced the 7.62mm StG 58 automatic rifle...
- SR-98 sniper rifle
The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a family of bolt-action sniper rifles designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International...
- F89 Light Support Weapon (Minimi)
The Minimi is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of several countries...
- MAG58 General Service Machine Gun
The MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale by Ernest Vervier. It is used by almost 70 countries, in 25 of those countries it is a standard-issue support weapon, it was produced locally in eight countries...
- M203 grenade launcher
The M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher that attaches to many rifles, but was originally designed for the U.S. M16 and its variant, the M4 Carbine. In the U.S. military, when a rifle or carbine is equipped with the launcher, both weapons are collectively referred to as an M203...
Current flying squadrons
- No. 1 Squadron
No. 1 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. Based at RAAF Amberley, it currently operates the F-111 bomber.-World War I:...
- General Dynamics F-111 (Ground Attack)
- No. 2 Squadron
No. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. From its formation in 1916, it has operated a variety of aircraft types including fighters, bombers, and Airborne Early Warning & Control.-History:...
- Boeing Wedgetail (AEW&C) (operational 2009)
- No. 3 Squadron
No. 3 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. It was first formed in 1916 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown, near Sydney.-World War I:...
- McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Air Defence)
- No. 4 Squadron
No. 4 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron responsible for training forward air controllers. The squadron was previously a fighter and army co-operation unit active in both World War I and World War II.-World War I:...
- Pilatus PC9/A (Forward Air Controller Training)
- No. 6 Squadron
-History:The Squadron was first formed in 1917 in Yatesbury, England and currently operates F-111 aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley.The Squadron served as a training unit based in England during the First World War and saw combat as a light bomber squadron in the Second World War.No...
- General Dynamics F-111 (Training/Ground Attack)
- No. 10 Squadron
No. 10 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron based at RAAF Base Edinburgh. The Squadron was first formed in 1939 and has seen active service in World War II, East Timor, the War on Terrorism and the 2003 Gulf War.-Second World War:...
- Lockheed P-3C Orion (Maritime Patrol)
- No. 11 Squadron
No. 11 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron based at RAAF Base Edinburgh. It was formed in 1939 and has seen active service in World War II, East Timor, the War on Terrorism and the 2003 Gulf War...
- Lockheed P-3C Orion (Maritime Patrol)
- No. 32 Squadron
No. 32 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force unit based at RAAF East Sale in Victoria. It currently flies training and transport operations.- World War II :...
- Beechcraft King Air 350 (Air Combat Officer and Navy Observer Training)
- No. 33 Squadron
No. 33 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It was formed in 1942 and is currently based at RAAF Base Richmond.-World War II:...
- To be equipped with KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker TransportsThe Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft based on the civilian A330-200. The Northrop Grumman KC-45 was a version of the A330 MRTT proposed for the United States Air Force.-Design and development:...
- No. 34 Squadron
No. 34 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It is currently based at Canberra International Airport in the Australian capital Canberra, where it operates two Boeing 737 Business Jets and three Bombardier Challenger 604s....
- Boeing 737, Bombardier Challenger 604 (Transport)
- No. 36 Squadron
No. 36 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It currently operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley. The Squadron has seen active service flying transport aircraft during World War II, the Berlin Airlift, Korean War, Vietnam War and the invasion of Iraq...
- Boeing Globemaster III (Transport)
- No. 37 Squadron
No. 37 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It was formed in July 1943 at Laverton, Victoria. It currently operates C-130H Hercules and C-130J Hercules aircraft from RAAF Base Richmond....
- Lockheed C-130H/C-130J-30 Hercules (Transport)
- No. 38 Squadron
No. 38 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. The Squadron was formed in 1943 and currently operates de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou aircraft from RAAF Base Townsville, as of 2008, in the tactical transport role....
- De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou (Transport)
- No. 75 Squadron
No. 75 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter unit based at RAAF Tindal in the Northern Territory. The Squadron was formed in 1942 and saw extensive action in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II. It was most recently in action in Iraq in 2003 as part of the Australian...
- McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Air Defence)
- No. 76 Squadron
No. 76 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force training squadron and operates Hawk 127 aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown. It was formed as a fighter unit in 1942....
- BAE Systems Hawk 127 (Lead-in Fighter Training/Close Support)
- No. 77 Squadron
No. 77 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. The Squadron was formed in 1942 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown.-History:...
- McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Air Defence)
- No. 79 Squadron
No. 79 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force training squadron. The Squadron was first formed in 1943 and currently operates Hawk 127 aircraft from RAAF Base Pearce.-History:...
- BAE Systems Hawk 127 (Hawk Conversion/Close Support)
- No. 292 Squadron
No. 292 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force operational conversion unit based at RAAF Base Edinburgh.No. 292 Squadron was formed on 1 January 1977 as the Maritime Analysis Training School. The Squadron was renamed No. 292 Squadron on 27 October 1980....
- Lockheed P-3C Orion (Training/Maritime Patrol)
- No. 2 OCU
No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit is a Royal Australian Air Force training unit located at RAAF Base Williamtown. 2OCU's main role is to train pilots to operate the F/A-18 Hornet. New RAAF pilots enter 2OCU for training after first qualifying to fly jet fighters in No. 76 Squadron...
- McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Training & Type Conversion)
- No. 2 FTS
No. 2 Flying Training School is the main flying training school of the Royal Australian Air Force. It is located at RAAF Base Pearce, in Western Australia. The unit operates a fleet of Pilatus PC-9 trainers. Both RAAF and RAN pilots undertake a 34 week training course at 2FTS, following their...
- Pilatus PC9/A (Advanced Air Force and Navy Flying Training)
- CFS. Central Flying School
The Central Flying School RAAF is a Royal Australian Air Force training establishment, based at RAAF Base East Sale. It was formed in March 1913, and during the First World War it trained over 150 pilots, who fought in Europe and the Middle East....
- Pacific Aerospace CT4B, Pilatus PC9/A (Flying Instructor Training) Established March 1913
- ADFBFTS. Australian Defence Force Basic Flying Training Schoolhttp://www.baeft.com - Pacific Aerospace CT4B (Basic Navy, Army, and Air Force Flying Training)
Future equipment
This list includes aircraft on order or a requirement which has been identified:
- Up to 100 Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a multinational aerospace manufacturer, global security and advanced technology company formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed with Martin Marietta. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Lockheed Martin employs 146,000 people...
F-35A Lightning IIThe Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable multirole fighter, that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions...
(CTOLCTOL is an acronym for Conventional Take-off and Landing, and is the process whereby conventional aircraft take off and land, involving the use of runways. The aircraft will taxi along the runway until its rotation speed is reached, then climb into the air...
variant) — are scheduled to be delivered from 2013. In a first stage not fewer than 72 aircraft will be acquired to equip three operational squadrons. The remaining aircraft will be acquired in conjunction with the withdrawal of the F/A-18F Super Hornets after 2020 to ensure no gap in Australia's overall air combat capability occurs.
- 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets
The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a 4.5+ generation carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft. The F/A-18E single-seat variant and F/A-18F tandem-seat variant are larger and more advanced derivatives of the F/A-18C and D Hornet. The Super Hornet has an internal 20 mm gun and can carry...
of which half will be wired to allow a later conversion to the EA-18G GrowlerThe Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare plane, a specialized version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. It began production in 2007 and is slated for fleet deployment in 2009...
electronic warfare aircraft. The 24 F/A-18F aircraft will help avoid a gap in the Australian Air Force strike capability, between the retirement of the F-111 in 2010 and delivery of the F-35A. The F/A-18F Super Hornets will enter service from the end of 2010.
- Eight Maritime patrol aircraft to replace Lockheed AP-3C Orions
The Lockheed AP-3C Orion is a variant of the P-3 Orion used by the Royal Australian Air Force for tasks such as naval fleet support, maritime surveillance, search and survivor supply and anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare...
. Australia is participating in the development of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon to fill this role, but has not committed to purchase the aircraft.
- Seven large high-altitude, long-endurance UAVs to expand the surveillance of Australia's maritime approaches.
- Six Boeing Project Wedgetail AEW&C
An airborne early warning and control system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft. Used at a high altitude, the radars allow the operators to distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft hundreds of miles away. AEW&C aircraft are used for defensive and offensive air...
aircraft, including another single aircraft optioned, entering service in 2011.
- Five Airbus
Airbus
SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Toulouse, France, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners.Airbus began as a consortium of aerospace manufacturers...
KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker TransportThe Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft based on the civilian A330-200. The Northrop Grumman KC-45 was a version of the A330 MRTT proposed for the United States Air Force.-Design and development:...
s — to replace the dated Boeing 707s in aerial refuelingAerial refueling, also called air refueling, in-flight refueling , air-to-air refueling or tanking, is the process of transferring fuel from one aircraft to another during flight. Applied to helicopters, it is known as HAR for Helicopter Aerial Refueling...
and strategic transport roles entering service in 2010.
- 10 light tactical fixed-wing aircraft to replace the DHC-4 Caribou
The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou was a Canadian-designed and produced specialized cargo aircraft with short takeoff and landing capability...
aircraft
- Two additional Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules
The Lockheed Martin C-130J "Super" Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the venerable Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems. The Hercules family has the longest continuous production...
aircraft
Procurement Review
The new LaborThe Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party.Known as the ALP for short, the party is the current governing party of Australia, since the 2007 federal election...
government made a pledge to review the procurement of both the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIThe Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable multirole fighter, that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions...
and the F/A-18F Super Hornet as part of a review of overall defence procurement. The new defence minister Joel FitzgibbonJoel Andrew Fitzgibbon is an Australian politician and Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Hunter in New South Wales. From December 2007 to June 2009 he was the Minister for Defence in the first Rudd Ministry...
made clear that "no option would be ruled out". This includes the possibility of purchasing the Lockheed Martin F-22 RaptorThe Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence roles...
. On 17 March 2008 defence minister Joel FitzgibbonJoel Andrew Fitzgibbon is an Australian politician and Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Hunter in New South Wales. From December 2007 to June 2009 he was the Minister for Defence in the first Rudd Ministry...
confirmed that Australia would purchase 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets.
However, the Howard government ruled out purchase of the F-22, on the grounds that it is unlikely to be released for export, and does not have sufficient ground/maritime strike capacity. This assessment was supported by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a non-partisan, government-funded think-tank, which claimed that the F-22 "has insufficient multi-role capability at too high a price."
The US Congress upheld the ban on F-22 Raptor foreign sales during a joint conference on 27 September 2006. After talks in Washington in December 2006, the US DoD reported the F-22 would not be available for foreign sale.
Following the victory of the Australian Labor Party in the 2007 national election, the new government ordered a review of plans to procure the F-35 Lightning II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. This review will include an evaluation of the F-22's suitability for Australia; moreover, Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has stated: "I intend to pursue American politicians for access to the Raptor". In February 2008, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he had no objection to sale of the Raptor to Australia, but Congress would have to change the law.
In August 2008 reports in the press indicated that the RAAF is considering to purchase Boeing EA-18G GrowlerThe Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare plane, a specialized version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. It began production in 2007 and is slated for fleet deployment in 2009...
electronic warfare aircraft to complement the new F model purchases. Up to 12 Growlers are being considered. In February 2009 it was announced by the Australian Defence Minister that half of the proposed 24 Boeing F/A-18Fs being built for Australia, 12 will be additionally "wired" to provide the capability of being readily converted to electronic warfare/support aircraft, similar to EA-18G standard, without the costs involved with purchasing and maintaining a dedicated fleet of electronic warfare aircraft.
See also
- Australian Air Traffic Control
Air traffic control in Australia is provided by two different agencies, one civilian and one military. The civilian provider is Airservices Australia, which controls civilian airfields and airspace. The military provider is the Royal Australian Air Force, which controls military airfields and...
- Airfield Defence Guards
The Airfield Defence Guard mustering of the Royal Australian Air Force performs specialist ground defence tasks to protect air power assets from hostile ground action. The mustering is composed of non-commissioned members, commonly called 'ADGies,' most of whom are employed within an Airfield...
- Australian Air Force Cadets
The Australian Air Force Cadets , known as the Air Training Corps until 2000, is a Federal Government funded youth organisation...
- Australian Defence Force ranks and insignia
This article lists the ranks of officers and enlisted personnel in the Australian Defence Force 's three service branches.The ADF comprises the:*Royal Australian Navy *Australian Army*Royal Australian Air Force...
- Royal Australian Air Force VIP aircraft
The Royal Australian Air Force has operated a number of specialised aircraft to transport senior members of the Australian Government and other dignitaries....
Lists:
Memorials and Museums:
- Royal Australian Air Force Memorial, Canberra
The Royal Australian Air Force Memorial is on ANZAC Parade, the principal ceremonial and memorial avenue of Canberra, the capital city of Australia....
- Royal Australian Air Force Memorial, Brisbane
Queens Gardens is located on a city block between George Street, Elizabeth Street and William Street in the Brisbane central business district...
- RAAF Museum
Located at RAAF Base Williams Point Cook, the RAAF Museum is the official museum of the Royal Australian Air Force, the second oldest air force in the world. The museum displays aircraft of significance to the RAAF from its inception as the Australian Flying Corps to the present...
- List of Australian military memorials
External links