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The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force
Air force

An air force, also known in some countries as an air army or historically an army air corps , is in the broadest sense, the national armed force or armed service that primarily conducts aerial warfare....
 branch of the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force

The Australian Defence Force is the Armed forces 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 and became a fully independent Air Force in March 1921. Widely regarded as one of the most potent air forces in the Asia Pacific region, the RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts including both World Wars, the Korean War
Korean War

The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korea and South Korea regimes, with major hostilities lasting from June 25, 1950 until the armistice signed on July 27, 1953....
 and the Vietnam War
Vietnam War

The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina Wars, the Vietnam Conflict, or often in Vietnam the American War occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia from 1959 to April 30, 1975....
.






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Encyclopedia


The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force
Air force

An air force, also known in some countries as an air army or historically an army air corps , is in the broadest sense, the national armed force or armed service that primarily conducts aerial warfare....
 branch of the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force

The Australian Defence Force is the Armed forces 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 and became a fully independent Air Force in March 1921. Widely regarded as one of the most potent air forces in the Asia Pacific region, the RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts including both World Wars, the Korean War
Korean War

The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korea and South Korea regimes, with major hostilities lasting from June 25, 1950 until the armistice signed on July 27, 1953....
 and the Vietnam War
Vietnam War

The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina Wars, the Vietnam Conflict, or often in Vietnam the American War occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia from 1959 to April 30, 1975....
. More recently the RAAF participated in the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq

The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1, 2003, was spearheaded by the United States, backed by United Kingdom forces and smaller contingents from Australia, Spain, Poland and Denmark....
. The motto on the RAAF's coat of arms is the Latin
Latin

Latin is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Military history of the Roman Empire, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe....
 phrase Per Ardua ad Astra
Ad astra (phrase)

Ad astra is a Latin language phrase meaning "to the stars". The phrase has its origin with Virgil, who wrote sic itur ad astra and opta ardua pennis astra sequi, ....
, which means "Through Struggle to the Stars"; the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force

The 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....
 uses the same motto but translates it as "Through Adversity to the Stars".

History


World War I

Soon after the outbreak of World War I
World War I

World War I, or the First World War , was a global military conflict which involved the Great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War I and the Central Powers....
 in 1914, the Australian Flying Corps sent aircraft to assist in capturing German colonies in what is now north-west New Guinea
New Guinea

New Guinea, located just north of Australia, is the List of islands by area, having become separated from the Australian mainland when the area now known as the Torres Strait flooded after the last glacial period....
. 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 Flight
Mesopotamian Half Flight

The 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 military aviation of the Allies of World War I forces were small and primitive....
 was called upon to assist the Indian Army
British Indian Army

The Indian Army was the principal army of the British Raj in India during the last half-century before the Partition of India of India in 1947....
 in protecting British oil interests in what is now Iraq
Iraq

Iraq , officially the Republic of Iraq , is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros Mountains, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. The Corps later saw action in Egypt
Egypt

Egypt is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Western Asia. Covering an area of about , Egypt borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast, the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west....
, Palestine
Palestine

Palestine is a name which has been widely used since Roman times to refer to the region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. It is derived from a name used already much earlier for a narrower geographical region, mainly along the coastal region....
 and on the Western Front
Western Front

Western Front was a term used during the World War I and World War II world war 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 I
World War I

World War I, or the First World War , was a global military conflict which involved the Great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War I and the Central Powers....
. By the end of the war, four squadrons had seen active service.

AFC World War I flying ace
Flying ace

A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviation 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....
s include the following pilots:
  • A. H. "Harry" Cobby
    Arthur Henry Cobby

    Air Commodore Arthur Henry Cobby Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross & medal bar, George Medal was an Australian air force....
     (29)
  • Elwyn King
    Elwyn King

    Elwyn Roy "Bo" King Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross 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 Pentland

    Alexander Augustus Norman Dudley Pentland Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross , Air Force Cross was an Australian flying ace in World War I....
     (23)
  • Edgar McCloughry
    Edgar McCloughry

    Air Vice Marshal Edgar James Kingston McCloughry Order of the Bath, Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross was an Australian World War I fighter pilot and flying ace....
     (21)
  • Richard Minifie
    Richard Minifie

    Richard Minifie Distinguished Service Cross was an Australian fighter pilot and flying ace in the First World War. He shot down 21 aircraft during the war, making him the fifth highest-scoring Australian ace....
     (21)
  • Edgar Johnston
    Edgar Johnston

    Edgar Charles Johnston Distinguished Flying Cross 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 Armistice with Germany in 1918, making him the 5th highest-scoring Australian pilot of the war....
     (20)
  • Andrew Cowper
    Andrew Cowper

    Andrew King Cowper Military Cross was an Australian fighter pilot and ace of World War I. He shot down 19 Germany aircraft between his entry into the war in 1917 and the Armistice with Germany in 1918, tying him with Cedric Howell as the 6th highest-scoring Australian pilot of the war....
     (19)
  • Cedric Howell
    Cedric Howell

    Cedric Ernest Howell Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross , or Spike to his squadron mates, was an Australia fighter pilot and ace of World War I....
     (19)
  • Fred Holliday (17)
  • Allan Hepburn
    Allan Hepburn

    Wing Commander Allan Hepburn, Distinguished Flying Cross , was an Australian World War I flying ace, who was born in Melbourne, Victoria . He scored 16 victories during his flying career....
     (16)
  • Francis Ryan Smith (16)
  • John Rutherford Gordon
    John Rutherford Gordon

    John Rutherford Gordon Military Cross 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 Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landings at Gallipoli, Turkey, 25 April 1915....
     (15)
  • Roy Cecil Phillipps (15)


World War II


Europe and the Mediterranean
In 1939, just after the start of World War II
World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a Participants in World War II, including all of the great powers, organised into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War II and the Axis powers....
, Australia joined the Empire Air Training Scheme, under which flight crews received basic training in Australia before travelling to Canada
Canada

Canada 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 Britain
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
, and/or with the Desert Air Force
Desert Air Force

The Desert Air Force , also known as Air HQ Western Desert, the Western Desert Air Force and the First Tactical Air Force , was an Allies of World War II tactical air force formed during World War II....
, in North Africa
North Africa

North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan Africa.Geopolitically, the United Nations subregion of Northern Africa includes the following seven countries or territories:...
 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 Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe

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....
, 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 Beaufort
Bristol Beaufort

The Bristol Type 152 Beaufort was a United Kingdom large twin-engined torpedo bomber designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and developed from the earlier Bristol Blenheim light bomber....
 torpedo bomber
Torpedo bomber

A torpedo bomber is a bomber aircraft designed primarily to attack ships with 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 United Kingdom attack at Battle of Taranto and the Jap...
.

In the European Theatre of World War II
European Theatre of World War II

The European Theatre of Operations was a huge area of heavy fighting across Europe; during World War II, from Nazi Germany Invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 until the end of World War II in Europe with the German unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945 ....
, RAAF personnel were especially notable in RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command

RAF Bomber Command was the organisation that controlled the Royal Air Force'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 supplemental force of English E...
: 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 RAAF
No. 460 Squadron RAAF

Number 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....
, mostly flying Avro Lancaster
Avro Lancaster

The Avro Lancaster was a United Kingdom four-engine World War II bomber aircraft made initially by Avro for the British 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 Royal Canadian Air Force and squadrons from other Commonwealth of Nations...
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 War
Pacific War

The 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, between July 7, 1937 and August 14, 1945....
 — and the rapid advance of Japan
Empire of Japan

The Empire of Japan was a Japanese political entity that existed during the period from the Meiji Restoration in 1868 until its defeat in World War II in 1945....
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 21
No. 21 Squadron RAAF

No. 21 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force general reserve squadron. It saw action as a fighter plane, dive bomber and heavy bomber unit during World War II....
 and 453 Squadron
No. 453 Squadron RAAF

No. 453 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force was formed during World War II. 453 Squadron came into existence at Bankstown, New South Wales in New South Wales on May 23, 1941....
s, saw action with the RAF Far East Command in the Malayan
Battle of Malaya

The Battle of Malaya was a campaign fought by Allies of World War II and Empire of Japan forces in British Malaya, from December 8 1941 to January 31 1942 during the World War II....
, Singapore
Battle of Singapore

The Battle of Singapore was fought in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II of World War II when the Empire of Japan invasion the Allies of World War II stronghold of Singapore....
 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 Buffalo
Brewster Buffalo

The Brewster Aeronautical Corporation F2A was an United States fighter aircraft which saw limited service during World War II. In 1939, the F2A became the first monoplane fighter aircraft used by the United States Navy....
.

The devastating air raids on Darwin on 19 February 1942 drove the point home. Some RAAF squadrons were transferred from the northern hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere

The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of the equator?the word sphere 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 attack
Close air support

In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces....
 planes led to the acquisition of US
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
-built P-40
Curtiss P-40

The Curtiss-Wright P-40 was an United States single-engine, single-seat, Aluminium fighter aircraft and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938....
 Kittyhawks and the rapid design and manufacture of the first Australian fighter, the CAC Boomerang
CAC Boomerang

The 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 Guinea
New Guinea

New Guinea, located just north of Australia, is the List of islands by area, having become separated from the Australian mainland when the area now known as the Torres Strait flooded after the last glacial period....
 and Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands

For the group of islands rather than the nation, see Solomon Islands .The Solomon Islands is a country in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands....
 campaigns, especially in operations like the Battle of Milne Bay
Battle of Milne Bay

The Battle of Milne Bay was a battle of the Pacific War 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 September 1942....
. 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 Sea
Battle of the Bismarck Sea

The 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 Empire of Japan convoy carrying troops to Lae, New Guinea ....
, imported Bristol Beaufighter
Bristol Beaufighter

The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a United Kingdom long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Bristol 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 bomber
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 comprised of 287 B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an United States 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....
s, which could bomb Japanese targets as far away as Borneo
Borneo

Borneo is the List of islands by area and is located at the centre of Maritime Southeast Asia. Administratively, this island is divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei....
 and the Philippines
Philippines

The 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 Mustang
P-51 Mustang

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was a long-range single-seat fighter aircraft that entered service with Allies of World War II air forces in the middle years of World War II....
s, for fighter/ground attack purposes. The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation

The 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....
 initially assembled US-made Mustangs, but later manufactured most of those used. The RAAF's main operational formation, the First Tactical Air Force
Australian First Tactical Air Force

The Australian First Tactical Air Force was formed on October 25, 1944 by the Royal Australian Air Force to provide fighter aircraft and close air support support to Allied army and navy forces, fighting the Empire of Japan in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II ....
, comprised more than 18,000 personnel and 20 squadrons; it had taken part in the Philippines
Philippines

The 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 Borneo
Borneo

Borneo is the List of islands by area and is located at the centre of Maritime Southeast Asia. Administratively, this island is divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei....
 campaigns and was scheduled to participate in the invasion of the Japanese mainland, Operation Downfall
Operation Downfall

Operation Downfall was the overall Allies of World War II plan for the invasion of Japan near the end of World War II. The operation was cancelled when Surrender of Japan following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Nagasaki, and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan....
. So too were the RAAF bomber squadrons in Europe, as part of the proposed Tiger Force
Tiger Force (air)

Tiger Force, also known as the VLR Bomber Force, was the name given to a World War II Commonwealth of Nations long range heavy bomber force, formed in 1945, from squadrons serving with RAF Bomber Command in Europe, for proposed use against targets in Empire of Japan....
. However, the war was brought to a sudden end by the US nuclear attack
Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were nuclear warfares near the end of World War II against the Empire of Japan by the United States at the executive order of President of the United States Harry S....
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 squadron
Berlin Airlift Squadron RAAF

The 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....
 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 War
Korean War

The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korea and South Korea regimes, with major hostilities lasting from June 25, 1950 until the armistice signed on July 27, 1953....
, from 1950-53, Mustangs from No. 77 Squadron
No. 77 Squadron RAAF

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....
 (77 Sqn), stationed in Japan with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force
British Commonwealth Occupation Force

The British Commonwealth Occupation Force , was the name of the joint Australian, United Kingdom, British Indian Army and New Zealand military forces in occupied Japan, from 21 February 1946 until the end of occupation in 1952....
, were among the first United Nations
United Nations

The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, Social change, human rights and achieving world peace....
 aircraft to be deployed, in ground support, combat air patrol, and escort missions. When the UN planes were confronted by MiG-15
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15

The Mikoyan MiG-15 was a jet aircraft fighter aircraft developed for the Soviet Union 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 enemy fighters....
 jet fighters, 77 Sqn acquired Gloster Meteor
Gloster Meteor

The Gloster Aircraft Company Meteor was the first United Kingdom jet aircraft Fighter aircraft and the Allies of World War II first operational jet aircraft....
s, which enabled some success against the Soviet pilots flying for North Korea
North Korea

North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , is a state in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula....
. 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 vehiles, 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 Emergency
Malayan Emergency

The Malayan Emergency refers to a guerrilla warfare for independence fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan Races Liberation Army, the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960; some have gone as far as to characterise it as a civil war....
, from 1950-1960, 6 Lincolns from No. 1 Squadron
No. 1 Squadron RAAF

No. 1 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. Based at RAAF Amberley, it currently operates the General Dynamics F-111 bomber....
 (1 Sqn) and a flight of Dakotas from No. 38 Squadron
No. 38 Squadron RAAF

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....
 (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 Squadron
No. 2 Squadron RAAF

No. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. From its formation in 1916, it has operated a variety of aircraft types including Fighter aircraft, bombers, and Airborne Early Warning & Control....
 (2 Sqn) were deployed to Malaya and took part in bombing missions against the CTs.

B707 368c


During the Vietnam War
Vietnam War

The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina Wars, the Vietnam Conflict, or often in Vietnam the American War occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia from 1959 to April 30, 1975....
, from 1966-72, the RAAF contributed squadrons of Caribou STOL
STOL

STOL is an initialism 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 Squadron
No. 35 Squadron RAAF

No. 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....
), UH-1 Iroquois
UH-1 Iroquois

The Bell Helicopter UH-1 Iroquois, commonly known as the "Huey", is a multipurpose military helicopter, famous for its use in the Vietnam War....
 helicopters (No. 9 Squadron
No. 9 Squadron RAAF

No. 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....
) and English Electric Canberra
English Electric Canberra

The 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 bomber, photographic, electronics, and meteorological reconnaissance....
 bombers (No. 2 Squadron
No. 2 Squadron RAAF

No. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. From its formation in 1916, it has operated a variety of aircraft types including Fighter aircraft, bombers, and Airborne Early Warning & Control....
). The Canberras flew 11,963 bombing sortie
Sortie

Sortie is a term for deployment or dispatch of one military unit, be it of aircraft, ship or, in older times, of columns of troops from a fort....
s, and two aircraft were lost. One went missing during a bombing raid, and neither the crew nor the aircraft has ever been located. 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 buunkers, 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 Timor
East Timor

East 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 Island 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 Squadron
No. 75 Squadron RAAF

No. 75 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force Fighter aircraft unit based at RAAF Base 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....
 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 RAAF
No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit RAAF

No. 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....
 has been on active service at Kandahar Airfield
Kandahar Airfield

Kandahar International Airport is located 10 miles south-east of Kandahar in Afghanistan. The airport was built by the United States in the 1960s, under the United States Agency for International Development program....
 in southern Afghanistan
Afghanistan

Afghanistan , officially the Islamic republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country that is located approximately in the center of Asia....
. 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 epaulette
Epaulette

Epaulette is a French language word meaning "little shoulder" . Epaulettes are a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia or military rank by the armed force 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 Kangaroo
Red Kangaroo

The Red Kangaroo is the largest of all kangaroos, the largest mammal native to Australia, and the largest surviving marsupial. It is found across mainland Australia, avoiding only the more fertile areas in the south, the east coast, and the northern rainforests....
 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 Force
Royal Air Force

The 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....
. However, during World War II
World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a Participants in World War II, including all of the great powers, organised into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War II and the Axis powers....
, 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 Herald
Chester Herald

Chester 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, Edward, the Black Prince....
 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 Astra
Per ardua ad astra

Per ardua Ad astra is the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth of Nations air forces such as the RAAF, RNZAF, and the former RCAF....
. Surmounting the badge is a wedge-tailed eagle
Wedge-tailed Eagle

The Wedge-tailed Eagle or Eaglehawk is the largest Bird of prey 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
The People of the Mist

The People of the Mist is a classic lost city fantasy novel written by H. Rider Haggard. It was first published serially in the magazine Tit-Bits Weekly from December, 1893 through August, 1894; the first book edition was published in London by Longmans in October, 1894....
.

Current strength


Aircraft

See also: Current RAAF Aircraft
Current Royal Australian Air Force Aircraft

----This is a list of the Current RAAF Aircraft in operation as of 2008:...


As of 2007, the following aircraft are operated by the RAAF:

! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |----- | BAE Systems Hawk | | Lead-in fighter trainer | Hawk 127 | 33 | fighter jet conversion trainer. |----- | Beechcraft Super King Air
Beechcraft Super King Air

The Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beechcraft . 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 | 8 | |----- | Boeing Business Jet
Boeing Business Jet

The Boeing Business Jet series are factory conversions of Boeing Commercial Airplanes airliners for the corporate jet market, initially the Boeing 737 series airliners....
 | | VIP transport | 737-700 BBJ
Boeing Business Jet

The Boeing Business Jet series are factory conversions of Boeing Commercial Airplanes airliners for the corporate jet market, initially the Boeing 737 series airliners....
 | 2 | Long term lease, transport for government leaders and senior executives travelling on official business. |----- | Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
C-17 Globemaster III

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large, military Cargo aircraft manufactured by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. The C-17 is operated by the United States Air Force, the United Kingdom Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Canadian Forces Air Command, while NATO and Qatar have placed orders for the airlifter....
 | | Transport | C-17
C-17 Globemaster III

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large, military Cargo aircraft manufactured by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. The C-17 is operated by the United States Air Force, the United Kingdom Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Canadian Forces Air Command, while NATO and Qatar have placed orders for the airlifter....
 | 4 | All aircraft were delivered by January 2008. |----- | Bombardier Challenger 600
Bombardier Challenger 600

The 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....
 | | VIP transport | CL 604 | 3 | |----- | de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou
De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou

The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou was a Canada-designed and produced specialized cargo aircraft with STOL capability. The Caribou was first flown in 1958 and although mainly retired from military operations, is still in use in small numbers as a rugged "bush" aircraft....
 | | Transport | DHC-4 | 14 | The DHC-4 will be retired in 2009. |----- | General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark | | Strike | F-111 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) and F-111G attrition replacements. These aircraft are due to be retired in 2010. The F/A-18F
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a supersonic aircraft carrier fighter aircraft/ground-attack aircraft. The F/A-18E single seater and F/A-18F two-seater are larger and more advanced derivative of the F/A-18 Hornet....
 has been selected as an interim replacement. All F-111G Aircraft were retired in September 2007. |----- | Lockheed C-130 Hercules | | Transport | C-130 total
C-130H
C-130J-30 | 20
8
12 | |----- | Lockheed P-3 Orion | | Maritime patrol/strike | P-3 total
AP-3C | 19
18 | All aircraft to be withdrawn by 2018. Will probably be replaced by Boeing
Boeing

The Boeing Company is a major aerospace and defense corporation, originally founded by William Edward Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997....
 P-8 Poseidon |----- | McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet |
| Fighter/attack | F/A-18 total
F/A-18A
F/A-18B | 71
54
17 | Built in Australia under licence from McDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas

McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft....
. 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 are expected to be replaced by 100 F-35 Lightning II
F-35 Lightning II

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a Fighter aircraft#Fifth generation jet fighters , single-seat, single-engine, Stealth aircraft-capable military aviation strike fighter, a Multirole combat aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and Aerial warfare missions....
. |----- | Pilatus PC-9
Pilatus PC-9

The Pilatus PC-9 is a single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland....
 |
| Advanced trainer | PC-9 | 65 | Produced under licence in Australia by de Havilland Australia
De Havilland Australia

de Havilland Aircraft Pty. Ltd. or de Havilland Australia as it was known, was formerly part of de Havilland, then later a separate company. Eventually, it was purchased by Boeing and is now called Hawker de Havilland Aerospace Pty....
. |----- | | |Total |Fighters/ Attack AircraftTrainersTransport(Inc. VIP
VIP

selfref|On Wikipedia, ViP may refer to...
 |11113043 |Trainers includes the 24 PAC CT/4 basic trainers |} In addition, 24 PAC CT/4
PAC CT/4

The Pacific Aerospace Corporation CT/4 Airtrainer series are all-metal construction, single-engine, two place side-by-side seating, fully aerobatic, piston engined, basic training aircraft manufactured in Hamilton, New Zealand....
 basic trainers, better known as the "Plastic Parrot", are owned and operated by BAE Systems
BAE Systems

BAE Systems plc is a British defense contractor and aerospace company headquartered in Farnborough, Hampshire, Hampshire, England, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc....
 for primary training.

Small arms

  • L9A1/L9A3 Self Loading Pistol (Browning Hi-Power)
    Browning Hi-Power

    The Browning Hi-Power is a single action, 9x19mm Parabellum semi-automatic firearm pistol. It is based on ideas conceived and patented in 1922 by American firearms inventor John Browning, and later patented by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal of Herstal, Belgium....
  • Glock 19 Jet Aircrew Pistol
    Glock pistol

    Glock is the name of a family of pistols designed and produced by the Austrian company Glock of Deutsch-Wagram, founded in 1963 by engineer Gaston Glock to manufacture high-strength synthetic and steel components....
  • Heckler & Koch MP5 Sub-Machine Gun
    Heckler & Koch MP5

    The MP5 is a 9x19mm Parabellum submachine gun of Germany design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the West Germany arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am Neckar....
  • Remington 870 shotgun
    Remington 870

    The Remington Model 870 is a United States-made pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms It is widely used by the public for target shooting, hunting, and self-defense....
  • F88 Austeyr rifle (Steyr AUG)
    Steyr AUG

    The AUG is an Austrian 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifle, designed in the early 1970s by Steyr Mannlicher . The AUG was adopted by the Military of Austria as the StG 77 in 1977, where it replaced the aging 7.62x51mm NATO StG 58 automatic rifle ....
  • SR-98 sniper rifle
    Accuracy International Arctic Warfare

    The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a family of bolt-action sniper rifles designed and manufactured by the United Kingdom company Accuracy International....
  • F89 Light Support Weapon (Minimi)
    FN Minimi

    The Minimi is a Belgium 5.56x45mm NATO light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of several countries, among them: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, Sweden, the...
  • MAG58 General Service Machine Gun
    FN MAG

    The MAG is a Belgium 7.62 mm caliber general purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale de Herstal by Ernest Vervier....
  • M203 grenade launcher
    M203 grenade launcher

    The M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade grenade launcher that attaches to a number of popular assault rifles, but was originally designed for the U.S....


Current flying squadrons


  • No. 1 Squadron
    No. 1 Squadron RAAF

    No. 1 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. Based at RAAF Amberley, it currently operates the General Dynamics F-111 bomber....
     - General Dynamics F-111 (Ground Attack)
  • No. 2 Squadron
    No. 2 Squadron RAAF

    No. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. From its formation in 1916, it has operated a variety of aircraft types including Fighter aircraft, bombers, and Airborne Early Warning & Control....
     - Boeing Wedgetail (AEW&C) (operational 2009)
  • No. 3 Squadron
    No. 3 Squadron RAAF

    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....
     - McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Air Defence)
  • No. 6 Squadron
    No. 6 Squadron RAAF

    No. 6 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force training and bomber squadron....
     - General Dynamics F-111 (Training/Ground Attack)
  • No. 10 Squadron
    No. 10 Squadron RAAF

    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 Iraq War....
     - Lockheed P-3C Orion (Maritime Patrol)
  • No. 11 Squadron
    No. 11 Squadron RAAF

    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 Iraq War....
     - Lockheed P-3C Orion (Maritime Patrol)
  • No. 33 Squadron
    No. 33 Squadron RAAF

    No. 33 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It was formed in 1942 and is currently based at RAAF Base Richmond....
     - To be equipped with KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transports
    Airbus A330 MRTT

    The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is an aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330. The Northrop Grumman KC-45 is a version of the A330 MRTT for the United States Air Force....
  • No. 34 Squadron
    No. 34 Squadron RAAF

    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 Business Jet and three Bombardier Challenger 600....
     - Boeing 737, Bombardier Challenger 604 (Transport)
  • No. 36 Squadron
    No. 36 Squadron RAAF

    No. 36 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It currently operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley....
     - Boeing Globemaster III (Transport)
  • No. 37 Squadron
    No. 37 Squadron RAAF

    No. 37 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It was formed in 1943 and currently operates C-130 Hercules and C-130J Hercules aircraft from RAAF Base Richmond....
     - Lockheed C-130H/C-130J-30 Hercules (Transport)
  • No. 38 Squadron
    No. 38 Squadron RAAF

    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 RAAF

    No. 75 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force Fighter aircraft unit based at RAAF Base 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....
     - McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Air Defence)
  • No. 76 Squadron
    No. 76 Squadron RAAF

    No. 76 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force pilot training squadron and operates Hawker-Siddeley Hawk aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown. It was formed as a fighter aircraft unit in 1942....
     - BAE Systems Hawk 127 (Lead-in Fighter Training/Close Support)
  • No. 77 Squadron
    No. 77 Squadron RAAF

    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....
     - McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Air Defence)
  • No. 79 Squadron
    No. 79 Squadron RAAF

    No. 79 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force training squadron. The Squadron was first formed in 1943 and currently operates Hawker-Siddeley Hawk aircraft from RAAF Base Pearce....
     - BAE Systems Hawk 127 (Hawk Conversion/Close Support)
  • No. 292 Squadron
    No. 292 Squadron RAAF

    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....
     - Lockheed P-3C Orion (Training/Maritime Patrol)
  • No. 2 OCU
    No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF

    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....
     - McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Training & Type Conversion)
  • No. 2 FTS
    No. 2 Flying Training School RAAF

    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....
     - Pilatus PC9/A (Advanced Training)


Future equipment

This list includes aircraft on order or a requirement which has been identified.
  • Up to 100 Lockheed Martin
    Lockheed Martin

    Lockheed Martin is a large Multinational corporation aerospace manufacturer and advanced technology company formed in 1995 by the Horizontal integration of Lockheed with Martin Marietta....
     F-35A Lightning II
    F-35 Lightning II

    The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a Fighter aircraft#Fifth generation jet fighters , single-seat, single-engine, Stealth aircraft-capable military aviation strike fighter, a Multirole combat aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and Aerial warfare missions....
     (CTOL
    CTOL

    CTOL is an acronym for Conventional Take-off and Landing, and is the process whereby conventional aircraft take off and landing, involving the use of runways....
     variant) — are scheduled to be delivered from 2013.
  • 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets
    F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

    The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a supersonic aircraft carrier fighter aircraft/ground-attack aircraft. The F/A-18E single seater and F/A-18F two-seater are larger and more advanced derivative of the F/A-18 Hornet....
    . On 6 March 2007, Defence Minister Brendon Nelson announced that the Australian Government had purchased 24 F/A-18F aircraft to reduce the risk of a gap in strike capability, between the retirement of the F-111 in 2010 and delivery of the F-35A.
  • Six Boeing Project Wedgetail AEW&C
    Airborne Early Warning

    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....
     aircraft, including another single aircraft optioned.
  • Five Airbus
    Airbus

    Airbus Soci?t? par actions simplifi?e is an Aerospace manufacturer 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....
     KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport
    Airbus A330 MRTT

    The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is an aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330. The Northrop Grumman KC-45 is a version of the A330 MRTT for the United States Air Force....
    s — to replace the dated Boeing 707s in aerial refueling
    Aerial refueling

    Aerial 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....
     and strategic transport roles.
  • Maritime patrol aircraft to replace Lockheed AP-3C Orions
    AP-3C Orion

    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.


Procurement Review

The new Labor
Australian Labor Party

The Australian Labor Party is an List of political parties in Australia.Known as the Australian Labor Party#Etymology for short, the party is the current governing party of Australia, since the Australian federal election, 2007....
 government made a pledge to review the procurement of both the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
F-35 Lightning II

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a Fighter aircraft#Fifth generation jet fighters , single-seat, single-engine, Stealth aircraft-capable military aviation strike fighter, a Multirole combat aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and Aerial warfare missions....
 and the F/A-18F Super Hornet as part of a review of overall defence procurement. The new defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon
Joel Fitzgibbon

Joel Andrew Fitzgibbon , is the Minister for Defence in the first Rudd Ministry. Fitzgibbon, an Australian Labor Party politician, has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since Australian federal election, 1996, representing the Division of Hunter in New South Wales....
 made clear that "no option would be ruled out". This includes the possibility of purchasing the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
F-22 Raptor

The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a Fighter aircraft#Fifth generation jet fighters , fighter aircraft that uses stealth aircraft technology....
. On 17 March 2008 defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon
Joel Fitzgibbon

Joel Andrew Fitzgibbon , is the Minister for Defence in the first Rudd Ministry. Fitzgibbon, an Australian Labor Party politician, has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since Australian federal election, 1996, representing the Division of Hunter in New South Wales....
 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 now also considering the purchase of the Boeing EA-18G Growler
EA-18G Growler

The Boeing Integrated Defense Systems EA-18G Growler is a aircraft carrier electronic warfare version of the two-seat F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. It began production in 2007 and is slated for fleet deployment in 2009....
 electronic warfare aircraft to compliment the new F model purchase. Up to 6 Growlers are being considered.

Gallery of RAAF Aircraft



See also

  • List of aircraft of the RAAF
    List of aircraft of the RAAF

    This is a list of all of the aircraft operated by the Royal Australian Air ForceOmitted from list: various short-term and experimental types, one-off models, civil types impressed into short-term emergency wartime service....
  • List of Royal Australian Air Force aircraft squadrons
    List of Royal Australian Air Force aircraft squadrons

    This is a list of Royal Australian Air Force aircraft squadrons. It includes both those squadrons that were under Australian and British operational control during World War II....
  • List of Royal Australian Air Force independent aircraft flights
    List of Royal Australian Air Force independent aircraft flights

    This is a list of independent Royal Australian Air Force aircraft flights. It includes flights which did not form part of a parent squadron and flying units of less than squadron status....
  • List of Australian air force bases
  • List of Australian military memorials
    List of Australian military memorials

    Most Australian towns and cities have an World War I or Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and/or World War II, memorial or Cenotaph.Listing and photographs by State and Territory:...
  • Australian Air Traffic Control
    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....
  • Airfield Defence Guards
    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....
  • Australian Air Force Cadets
    Australian Air Force Cadets

    The Australian Air Force Cadets , known as the Air Training Corps until 2000, is a Federal Government funded youth organisation. They have recently recruited Michael J Caboose, and have since lost four staff members under suspicious circumstances....
  • Royal Australian Air Force Memorial, Canberra
    Royal Australian Air Force Memorial, Canberra

    The Royal Australian Air Force Memorial is on ANZAC Parade, Canberra, the principal ceremonial and memorial avenue of Canberra, the capital city of Australia....
  • Royal Australian Air Force Memorial, Brisbane
    Queens Gardens, Brisbane

    Queens Gardens is located on a city block between George Street, Brisbane, Elizabeth Street, Brisbane and William Street, Brisbane in the Brisbane central business district....
  • RAAF Museum
    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....
  • Australian Defence Force ranks and insignia
    Australian Defence Force ranks and insignia

    The following image shows the badges of rank and special insignia for Officer and enlisted personnel in the Australian Defence Force three service branches....
  • Royal Australian Air Force VIP aircraft
    Royal Australian Air Force VIP aircraft

    The Royal Australian Air Force has operated a number of specialised aircraft to transport senior members of the Government of Australia and other dignitaries....
  • List of air forces
    List of air forces

    This alphabetically arranged list of air forces identifies the current and historical names and roundels for the military aviation arms of countries fielding an air component, whether an independent air force, a naval air arm, army aviation unit, or coast guard....


External links



Video clips