84-837: The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC), known as the Air Training Corps (AIRTC) until 2001, is a Federal Government funded youth organisation. The parent force of the AAFC is the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Along with the Australian Army Cadets (AAC) and the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC), it is part of the Australian Defence Force Cadets . The Air Training Corps (ATC), predecessor to
168-665: A Royal Air Force officer, Air Marshal Sir Donald Hardman , was brought out to Australia to become Chief of the Air Staff. He reorganised the RAAF into three commands: Home Command , Maintenance Command , and Training Command . Five years later, Home Command was renamed Operational Command , and Training Command and Maintenance Command were amalgamated to form Support Command . In the Malayan Emergency , from 1950 to 1960, six Avro Lincolns from No. 1 Squadron RAAF and
252-469: A RAAF airbase, Cadet Flying Trainings (CST) to train cadets in piloting various aircraft, and Fieldcraft camps to extend on core field skills training. AAFC training constitutes much training on foot drill (mentioned as "Drill and Ceremonial"), ranging from basic "static" drill movements in initial phases to advanced banner, Rifle and sword drill with later stages. AAFC squadrons often form guards and banner parties at Anzac / Remembrance Day / Victory in
336-430: A Wing Commander (WGCDR(AAFC)) who holds the appointment of Officer Commanding or Director respectively. In 2015 the role of Warrant Officer of the AAFC was abandoned by a majority vote of National and Wing Executive. As a result of this more than 40% of AAFC staff, being Instructors of Cadets, are no longer represented at a national level by a staff member regarded as the most senior AAFC Instructor of Cadets. Airmen within
420-534: A blue/white band with the acronym AAFC. The Service Dress Air Force Blue (SD) uniform is the uniform worn on most ceremonial occasions. Cadet Under Officers and Cadet Warrant Officers may wear the RAAF Peaked Cap. The headdress worn by cadets and staff consists of the Hat Fur Felt - Khaki (HFF-K). Cadet Staff are also issued a RAAF peaked cap or RAAF Garrison Cap. From early 2021, the AAFC superseded
504-1070: A bombing raid. The wreckage of the aircraft was recovered in April 2009, and the remains of the crew were found in late July 2009. The other was shot down by a surface-to-air missile , although both crew were rescued. They dropped 76,389 bombs and were credited with 786 enemy personnel confirmed killed and a further 3,390 estimated killed, 8,637 structures, 15,568 bunkers, 1,267 sampans and 74 bridges destroyed. RAAF transport aircraft also supported anti-communist ground forces. The UH-1 helicopters were used in many roles including medical evacuation and close air support. RAAF casualties in Vietnam included six killed in action, eight non-battle fatalities, 30 wounded in action and 30 injured. A small number of RAAF pilots also served in United States Air Force units, flying F-4 Phantom fighter-bombers or serving as forward air controllers. In September 1975,
588-618: A crucial role in the New Guinea and Solomon Islands campaigns, especially in operations like the Battle of Milne Bay . 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 , imported Bristol Beaufighters proved to be highly effective ground attack and maritime strike aircraft. Beaufighters were later made locally by
672-773: A default member of several groups through virtue of their appointment including the tri-service Cadet Consultative Forum, the AAFC Executive Council and the National Council among others. Cadets receive the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities such as: HQAAFC holds three National Competitions throughout the year, they are: In 2023 and 2024, the AAFC participated in the Chief of Army Cadets Team Challenge, an Australian Army Cadets national competition hosted at Kokoda Barracks , Canungra . Wings may also hold their own competitions throughout
756-643: A flight of Douglas Dakotas from No. 38 Squadron RAAF took part in operations against the communist guerrillas (labelled as "Communist Terrorists" by the British authorities) as part of the RAF Far East Air Force . The Dakotas were used on cargo runs, in troop movement and in paratrooper and leaflet drops within Malaya. The Lincolns, operating from bases in Singapore and from Kuala Lumpur, formed
840-628: A freedom of entry parade have been granted permission to state their location when officially referring to their squadron. (E.g. No. 104 (City of Cairns) SQN). In each wing, there are also special units that perform specialised duties such as aviation training, logistics, firearms training, and music. The Aviation Operations Wing (sometimes unofficially referred to as "9 Wing") is a wing for aviation operations. Its flights fall under two categories: Gliding Training School (GTS) for gliding experiences and Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) for powered flights. They are as follows: The AAFC organisation as
924-813: A group of 44 civilians, including armed supporters of the Timorese Democratic Union (UDT), commandeered an RAAF Caribou, A4-140 , on the ground at Baucau Airport in the then Portuguese Timor , which was in the middle of a civil war. The Caribou had landed at Baucau on a humanitarian mission for the International Committee of the Red Cross . The civilians demanded that the RAAF crew members fly them to Darwin Airport (also RAAF Base Darwin ) in Australia, which they did. After
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#17327807596281008-473: A large number of other positions such as Administration Officer, Psychologist, Chaplain and various other training and administrative appointments. Larger Wings may have more executive and other appointments. Each Wing has an Air Force Liaison Officer (AFLO), a RAAF officer (often a reservist) who is responsible for all activities requiring RAAF support for that region, amongst other duties. Aviators and junior officers are posted to an individual squadron (as per
1092-419: A service support function to Operational Wings. As of Jun 2020, there are 4 Directorates under the announced Headquarters AAFC Functional Groupings. Cadets can join from when they are 12, ensuring they're turning 13 that year and must leave (age out) at the end of the calendar year they turn 18. Each year the Royal Australian Air Force awards the "Australian Air Force Cadets – Air Force Trophy". The winner of
1176-553: A single E-7A Wedgetail . This aircraft, and the associated 100 personnel - mainly from 2 Squadron , would operate from Ramstein Air Base for a six month deployment under Operation Kudu. The stated objective of the deployment was to "help ensure that vital support flowing to Ukraine by the international community is protected." Trainer aircraft As of June 2018, the RAAF had 14,313 permanent full-time personnel and 5,499 part-time active reserve personnel. The RAAF established
1260-594: A squadron's establishment no longer justifies a CO to hold the rank of SQNLDR(AAFC) rank. However, it is still possible to have a CO of SQNLDR(AAFC) or even WGCDR(AAFC) rank, but only if that CO holds a wing or national position e.g. Officer Commanding, Director, Staff Officer or deputy director position in Wing or National HQ in addition to their appointment as a squadron CO. There are a number of key appointments within Wing Headquarters, including; There are also
1344-452: A squadron's size) as instructors of cadets (IOC) and officers of cadets (OOC). The AAFC incorporates a National Cadet Reference Group, comprising eight Wing Chairs under the direction and leadership of a Chairman of the NCRG and Deputy Chairman of the NCRG. This is the peak representative and advisory body acting on behalf of the cadets to the higher echelons of the organisation. The chairman is
1428-451: A system of differentiation was required to distinguish members of the AAFC from those of the RAAF. This means that cadet ranks wear rank slides which are AFB (Air Force Blue) with an embroidered light blue ribbon, 1cm wide at the base of the rank slide with 'AAFC' in AFB embroidery. Adult members of the AAFC wear rank slides with an embroidered white bar that contains the letters AAFC in place of
1512-630: A whole falls under the command of Headquarters AAFC (HQAAFC). HQAAFC has no physical location as it is made up of members from around the country. The only person to hold the rank of Group Captain (AAFC) is the Commander of the Australian Air Force Cadets (CDR-AAFC). The CDR-AAFC reports to the Director General Cadets – Air Force, a member of the RAAF who holds the rank of Air Commodore , and in turn reports to
1596-522: Is 1–4 NCOs and CUOs, This is not an explicit rule of the AAFC, but is rather a recommendation made to units. "Crossed Rifles" This comes in the form of two crossed Enfields "Single Rifle" band parades AAFC Staff may wear the ATA badge if they earned it as a cadet, however there is no option to be awarded the ATA badge as AAFC staff. The AAFC organisation as a whole falls under the command of Headquarters AAFC (HQAAFC). HQAAFC has no physical location as it
1680-486: Is made up of members from around the country. The only person to hold the rank of Group Captain (AAFC) (GPCAPT(AAFC)) is the Commander – Australian Air Force Cadets (CDR-AAFC). The CDR-AAFC reports to the Director General Cadets – Air Force, a member of the RAAF who holds the rank of Air Commodore, who reports to the RAAF chain of command . Under HQAAFC are the Operational Wings and Directorates, each headed by
1764-575: Is on the fundamentals and development of military drill , aerospace , and skills on the field, whilst extension trainings, a prerequisite for progressing in rank, develop on leadership skills and concepts, as well as the aforementioned subjects in a leadership context. Cadet external training usually constitutes training on a Royal Australian Air Force establishment or a remote location for fieldcraft camps, usually done in conjunction with other units. These activities include General Service Trainings (GST) for cadets to learn about Defence and happenings on
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#17327807596281848-600: Is structured to reflect the following objectives: The AAFC uniform is near-identical to its parent organisation, using the RAAF General Purpose Uniform (GPU) and Service Dress (SD). Before the issuing of GPU uniform, the Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU) was used. The differences between AAFC and RAAF uniform are badges, shoulder biscuits, pocket tags, and rank slides, the former's being embroidered with
1932-595: The 1911 Imperial Conference that was held in London, where it was decided aviation should be developed within the armed forces of the British Empire . Australia implemented this decision, the first dominion to do so, by approving the establishment of the "Australian Aviation Corps". This initially consisted of the Central Flying School at Point Cook, Victoria , opening on 22 October 1912. By 1914
2016-531: The AN/TPS-77 radar assigned the responsibility to co-ordinate coalition air operations. A detachment of IAI Heron unmanned aerial vehicles has been deployed in Afghanistan since January 2010. In late September 2014, an Air Task Group consisting of up to eight F/A-18F Super Hornets , a KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport, an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft and 400 personnel
2100-899: The Australian Air Board directly controlled the Air Force via RAAF Station Laverton , RAAF Station Richmond , RAAF Station Pearce , No. 1 Flying Training School RAAF at Point Cook, RAAF Station Rathmines and five smaller units. In 1939, just after the outbreak of the Second World War, Australia joined the Empire Air Training Scheme , under which flight crews received basic training in Australia before travelling to Canada for advanced training. A total of 17 RAAF bomber, fighter, reconnaissance and other squadrons served initially in Britain and with
2184-835: The Australian Army . Constitutionally the Governor-General of Australia is the de jure Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force. The Royal Australian Air Force is commanded by the Chief of Air Force (CAF), who is subordinate to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF). The CAF is also directly responsible to the Minister for Defence , with the Department of Defence administering
2268-788: The British Commonwealth Occupation Force , were among the first United Nations aircraft to be deployed, in ground support, combat air patrol, and escort missions. When the UN planes were confronted by North Korean Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 jet fighters, 77 Sqn acquired Gloster Meteors , however the MiGs remained superior and the Meteors were relegated to ground support missions as the North Koreans gained experience. The air force also operated transport aircraft during
2352-849: The Desert Air Force located in North Africa and the Mediterranean . Thousands of Australians also served with other Commonwealth air forces in Europe during the Second World War. About nine percent of the personnel who served under British RAF commands in Europe and the Mediterranean were RAAF personnel. With British manufacturing targeted by the German Luftwaffe , in 1941 the Australian government created
2436-518: The F88 Austeyr (abbreviated as the F88I), and swords for executives. Colour party members are often temporarily issued ceremonial equipment such as White cotton gloves, Banner Girdle (for Banner/Colour Bearer) or Sash (Banner/Colour Warrant Officer) and white belts. The ranks of the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) are closely based on the ranks of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). As such,
2520-737: The RAF Far East Command in the Malayan , Singapore and Dutch East Indies campaigns . Equipped with aircraft such as the Brewster Buffalo , and Lockheed Hudsons , the Australian squadrons suffered heavily against Japanese Zeros. During the fighting for Rabaul in early 1942, No. 24 Squadron RAAF fought a brief, but ultimately futile defence as the Japanese advanced south towards Australia. The devastating air raids on Darwin on 19 February 1942 increased concerns about
2604-545: The Vietnam War , from 1964 to 1972, the RAAF contributed Caribou STOL transport aircraft as part of the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam, later redesignated No. 35 Squadron RAAF , UH-1 Iroquois helicopters from No. 9 Squadron RAAF , and English Electric Canberra bombers from No. 2 Squadron RAAF . The Canberras flew 11,963 bombing sorties , and two aircraft were lost. One went missing during
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2688-605: The War in Afghanistan . The RAAF operates the majority of the ADF's fixed wing aircraft, although both the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy also operate aircraft in various roles. The RAAF provides support across a spectrum of operations such as air superiority, precision strikes, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, air mobility, space surveillance , and humanitarian support. The RAAF has 252 aircraft, of which 84 are combat aircraft. The RAAF traces its history back to
2772-529: The Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) in March 1941, which then became the Women's Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) in 1951. The service merged with the RAAF in 1977; however, all women in the Australian military were barred from combat-related roles until 1990. Women have been eligible for flying roles in the RAAF since 1987, with the RAAF's first women pilots awarded their "wings" in 1988. In 2016,
2856-710: The AAC, had used the Army's rank structure. In November 1920 it was decided by the Air Board that the RAAF would adopt the structure adopted by the RAF the previous year. As a result, the RAAF's rank structure came to be: Aircraftman, Leading Aircraftman, Corporal, Sergeant, Flight Sergeant, Warrant Officer, Officer Cadet, Pilot Officer, Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant, Squadron Leader, Wing Commander, Group Captain, Air Commodore, Air Vice-Marshal, Air Marshal, Air Chief Marshal, and Marshal of
2940-738: The ADF and the Air Force. Formed in March 1921, as the Australian Air Force , through the separation of the Australian Air Corps from the Army in January 1920, which in turn amalgamated the separate aerial services of both the Army and Navy. It directly continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC), the aviation corps of the Army that fought in the First World War and that
3024-640: 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. The Australian Flying Corps remained part of the Australian Army until 1919, when it was disbanded along with the First Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Although the Central Flying School continued to operate at Point Cook, military flying virtually ceased until 1920, when
3108-557: The Air Force Trophy is honoured with the custodianship of the AAFC National Banner for the following year. Each Wing contains a number of different units (squadrons (SQNs), and flights (FLTs)). Each unit is given a 3-digit number with the first digit representing their parent wing. For example, it can be told just by looking at the squadron number that 101 SQN is part of No. 1 Wing. Squadrons that have completed
3192-629: The Australian Air Force Cadets, was formed by the Australian War Cabinet in February 1941 as a cadet corps part of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) reserves. The main aims of the force were to train young men from ages 16 to 18 to join the RAAF in the midst of World War II , and for young men to increase their "air knowledge" and interest in the RAAF. The personnel strength of the ATC peaked at 12000 cadets in training in 1943. After
3276-588: The British Royal Air Force . When formed the RAAF had more aircraft than personnel, with 21 officers and 128 other ranks and 153 aircraft. As British aircraft manufacturers at the time were unable to meet Australian requirements, in addition to British production demands, the Australian government established the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in 1936 and purchased some American aircraft. In September 1939,
3360-422: The Caribou arrived there, the Australian government detained the civilians for a short period, and then granted refugee visas to all of them. The Guardian later described A4-140 as "the only RAAF plane ever hijacked", and the incident as "one of the more remarkable stories in Australia's military and immigration history". Military airlifts were conducted for a number of purposes in subsequent decades, such as
3444-460: The DAP from 1944. Although it was much bigger than Japanese fighters, the Beaufighter had the speed to outrun them. The RAAF operated a number of Consolidated PBY Catalina as long-range bombers and scouts. The RAAF's heavy bomber force was predominantly made up of 287 B-24 Liberators , equipping seven squadrons, which could bomb Japanese targets as far away as Borneo and the Philippines from airfields in Australia and New Guinea. By late 1945,
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3528-464: The DPCU uniform and replaced it with the General Purpose Uniform (GPU), the current issued uniform of the RAAF. AAFC Personnel are issued their respective squadron patch, which typically contain a blue background with various symbols to represent the location that they are at and known for, with the exception of certain squadrons and flights. A cadet traditionally progresses through several phases of training throughout their cadet career. Standard training
3612-405: The Department of Aircraft Production (DAP; later known as the Government Aircraft Factories ) to supply Commonwealth air forces, and the RAAF was eventually provided with large numbers of locally built versions of British designs such as the DAP Beaufort torpedo bomber , Beaufighters and Mosquitos, as well as other types such as Wirraways, Boomerangs, and Mustangs. In the European theatre of
3696-408: The Flying Females Mentoring Network. Men and women are required to undergo the same basic fitness tests to become a pilot; however the standards are lower for females. For some roles, the requirement cannot be adjusted for safety reasons. The rank structure of the nascent RAAF was established to ensure that the service remained separate from the Army and Navy. The service's predecessors, the AFC and
3780-426: The Pacific Day / Vietnam Veterans Day services and other cadets will march on these parades. Promotion course graduation parades are very significant events, often requiring days of training. These parades will often be reviewed by a senior RAAF officer and consist of several squadrons/flights as well as colour parties. Ceremonial parades may include firearms, with Lee Enfields , L1A1 rifles , or innocious versions of
3864-408: The Pacific were around 2,000 killed, wounded or captured. By the time the war ended, a total of 216,900 men and women served in the RAAF, of whom 10,562 were killed in action; a total of 76 squadrons were formed. With over 152,000 personnel operating nearly 6,000 aircraft it was the world's fourth-largest air force. During the Berlin Airlift , in 1948–49, the RAAF Squadron Berlin Air Lift aided
3948-477: The Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea in support of Coalition warships and boarding parties, as well as conducting extensive overland flights of Iraq and Afghanistan on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and supporting counter-piracy operations in Somalia. From 2007 to 2009, a detachment of No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit RAAF was on active service at Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan . Approximately 75 personnel deployed with
4032-430: The RAAF chain of command. Under HQAAFC are the Operational Wings and Directorates, each headed by a WGCDR(AAFC) who holds the appointment of Officer Commanding (OC) or Director respectively. Cadet squadrons only exist within the Operational Wings. They report to the Operational Wing Officer Commanding (often through an Executive Officer) and are commanded by a Commanding Officer. A squadron Commanding Officer (CO) will hold
4116-584: The RAAF had received or ordered about 500 P-51 Mustangs , for fighter/ground attack purposes. The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation initially assembled US-made Mustangs, but later manufactured most of those used. By mid-1945, the RAAF's main operational formation in the Pacific, the First Tactical Air Force (1st TAF), consisted of over 21,000 personnel, while the RAAF as a whole consisted of about 50 squadrons and 6,000 aircraft, of which over 3,000 were operational. The 1st TAF's final campaigns were fought in support of Australian ground forces in Borneo , but had
4200-427: The RAAF roundel was proposed, including the Southern Cross , a boomerang , a sprig of wattle , and a red kangaroo . On 2 July 1956, the current version of the roundel was formally adopted. This consists of a white inner circle with a red kangaroo surrounded by a royal blue circle. The kangaroo faces left, except when used on aircraft or vehicles, when the kangaroo should always face forward. Low visibility versions of
4284-411: The RAAF's formation aerobatic display team. They perform around Australia and Southeast Asia, and are part of the RAAF Central Flying School (CFS) based at RAAF Base East Sale , Victoria. The Roulettes operate the Pilatus PC-21 and formations for shows are a group of six aircraft. The pilots learn many formations including loops, rolls, corkscrews and ripple rolls. Most of the performances are done at
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#17327807596284368-464: The RAAF. In 1922, the colour of the RAAF winter uniform was determined by Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams on a visit to the Geelong Wool Mill. He asked for one dye dip fewer than the RAN blue (three indigo dips rather than four). There was a change to a lighter blue-grey when an all-seasons uniform was introduced in 1972 by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Colin Hannah. The original colour and style were re-adopted from 1 January 2000 under direction from
4452-423: The RAAF. These wings and their boundaries remained mainly defined by political state lines, redirected for better service delivery and focus. The broad aim of the Australian Air Force Cadets is to better equip young people for community life by fostering initiative, leadership, discipline, and loyalty through a training program designed to stimulate an interest in the Royal Australian Air Force. The training program
4536-407: The Wings are represented by the Wing Warrant Officer. In late 2019 it was reported that the role of Warrant Officer of the AAFC was to be restored. However, as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, this did not occur. In the interim several past Senior officers of cadets re-enlisted and were appointed at ranks that would enable them to qualify to submit an application for the role. Directorates perform
4620-417: The ability to appear at local airshows and military expos depending on location of the unit. For Example, 6 Wing (South Australia) sent many cadets to attend the 2019 Edinburgh Air Show . Royal Australian Air Force The Royal Australian Air Force ( RAAF ) is the principal aerial warfare force of Australia , a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Navy and
4704-404: The air force used the red, white and blue roundel of the RAF. However, during the Second World War the inner red circle, which was visually similar to the Japanese hinomaru , was removed after a No. 11 Squadron Catalina was mistaken for a Japanese aircraft and attacked by a Grumman Wildcat of VMF-212 of the United States Marine Corps on 27 June 1942. After the war, a range of options for
4788-410: 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 RAAF were deployed to Malaya and took part in bombing missions against the CTs. During
4872-423: The badge is a wedge-tailed eagle . Per Ardua Ad Astra is attributed with the meaning "Through Adversity to the Stars" and is from Sir Henry Rider Haggard's novel The People of the Mist . The "Eagles of Australia" is the official march of the RAAF and is played as a quick march when the RAAF bands perform public duties in the capital. Composed by the RAAF's Director of Music, Squadron Leader Ron Mitchell (who
4956-415: The conflict. No. 77 Squadron flew 18,872 sorties, claiming the destruction of 3,700 buildings, 1,408 vehicles, 16 bridges, 98 railway carriages and an unknown number of enemy personnel. Three MiG-15s were confirmed destroyed, and two others probably destroyed. RAAF casualties included 41 killed and seven captured; 66 aircraft – 22 Mustangs and 44 Meteors – were lost. In July 1952, No. 78 Wing RAAF
5040-400: The corps was known as the "Australian Flying Corps". Soon after the outbreak of war in 1914, the Australian Flying Corps sent aircraft to assist in capturing German colonies in what is now north-east New Guinea . However, these colonies surrendered quickly, before the planes were even unpacked. The first operational flights did not occur until 27 May 1915, when the Mesopotamian Half Flight
5124-416: The direct threat facing Australia. In response, some RAAF squadrons were transferred from the northern hemisphere —although a substantial number remained there until the end of the war. Shortages of fighter and ground attack planes led to the acquisition of US-built Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks and the rapid design and manufacture of the first Australian fighter, the CAC Boomerang . RAAF Kittyhawks came to play
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#17327807596285208-445: The end of World War II, the ATC was scaled down from the lack of demand of RAAF pilots by demobilisation, and its aims were changed for a peacetime role, for training cadets to eventually join the peacetime RAAF. In August 1975, the then Minister for Defence, Bill Morrison , announced that the three branches of cadet corps, Australian Cadet Corps , Sea Cadet Corps , and Air Training Corps would be disbanded from January 1976, based on
5292-404: The interim Australian Air Corps (AAC), with a wing each for the Army and the Navy, was formed as a unit of the Army. The AAC was succeeded by the Australian Air Force which was formed on 31 March 1921. King George V approved the prefix "Royal" in May 1921 and became effective on 13 August 1921. The RAAF then became the second Royal air arm to be formed in the British Commonwealth , following
5376-409: The international effort to fly in supplies to the stricken city; two RAF Avro York aircraft were also crewed by RAAF personnel. Although a small part of the operation, the RAAF contribution was significant, flying 2,062 sorties and carrying 7,030 tons of freight and 6,964 passengers. In the Korean War , from 1950 to 1953, North American Mustangs from No. 77 Squadron RAAF , stationed in Japan with
5460-628: The letter C, to identify them as cadets and not adult staff or members of the RAAF. The AAFC has specific rank establishments and quotas depending on the strength of a squadron. This is to ensure a balance between leadership roles and subordinates members (especially to prevent a top-heavy squadron developing). As an exaggerated example, it would not be beneficial for a squadron of 40 cadets to have 39 CUOs and 1 CDT, nor would it be beneficial for it to have 20 CWOFFs, 10 CFSGTs and 10 CSGTs. Rather, that squadron ought to have 2 CUOs, 2 CWOFFs, 1 CFSGT, 3 CSGTs, 5 CCPLs and around 30 LCDTs/CDTs. The general standard
5544-412: The light blue bar. When DPCU uniforms became standard issue, cadets and cadet staff would wear surplus Australian RAAF and Australian Army Rank slides. These would be replaced in 2014 with the "AAFC" styled DPCU rank slide. Adult ranks are also followed by the letters AAFC (in brackets) when written, to distinguish them from actual members of the RAAF. Cadet Non-Commissioned Officer ranks are prefixed with
5628-473: The peacekeeping operations in East 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 RAAF operated in the escort and ground attack roles, flying a total of 350 sorties and dropping 122 laser-guided bombs. A detachment of AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft were deployed in the Middle East between 2003 and 2012. These aircraft conducted maritime surveillance patrols over
5712-648: The rank of PLTOFF(AAFC), FLGOFF(AAFC) or FLTLT(AAFC) unless the officer holds another appointment which entitles them to a more senior rank, some squadrons are commanded by a WOFF(AAFC). There are 8 Operational Wings for all states and territories, however, the state of Queensland is divided into two Wings. There are also eight directorates to serve a support function for operational wings: Aviation Operations Directorate (AOD), Corporate Services Directorate (CSD), Diversity Directorate (DIVD), People and Culture Directorate (PCD), Operations Directorate (OPSD), Safety Directorate (SAFD), Training Directorate (TD). As of 1 April 2005,
5796-442: The recommendations of the Millar Report of 1975. However, in May 1976, the new Federal Government Minister for Administrative Services announced the re-formation of the Australian cadets movement, and the ATC acronym was renamed AIRTC. In May 1982, the Minister for Defence announced the inclusion of girls in the AIRTC. In January 2000, based on recommendations from the Topley Review, a national Directorate of Defence Force Cadets
5880-403: The remaining restrictions on women in frontline combat roles were removed, and the first two female RAAF fast jet fighter pilots graduated in December 2017. Air Force has implemented several programs to assist women who choose a pilot career. Entry to the Graduate Pilot Scheme is open to women who are currently undertaking a Bachelor of Aviation (BAv). Once qualified, women pilots are able to access
5964-406: The roundel exist, with the white omitted and the red and blue replaced with light or dark grey. The RAAF badge was accepted by the Chester Herald in 1939. The badge is composed of the St Edward's Crown mounted on a circle featuring the words Royal Australian Air Force, beneath which scroll work displays the Latin motto Per Ardua Ad Astra , which it shares with the Royal Air Force. Surmounting
6048-679: The southern Philippines in response to the Marawi crisis . In 2021, the Royal Australian Air Force commemorated its 100th anniversary. Later that year, on 29 November, the Hornet was officially retired from RAAF service, with a ceremony to mark the occasion taking place that day at RAAF Base Williamtown. In January 2022, two RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and one C-130J Hercules departed RAAF Amberley and Richmond to conduct aerial reconnaissance of Tonga in
6132-590: The then CAF Air Marshal Errol McCormack. Slip-on rank epaulettes , known as "Soft Rank Insignia" (SRI), displaying the word "AUSTRALIA" are worn on the shoulders of the service dress uniform. When not in the service dress or "ceremonial" uniform, RAAF personnel wear the General Purpose Uniform (GPU) as a working dress, which is a blue version of the Australian Multicam Camouflage Uniform . Originally,
6216-485: The wake of the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami . According to Australian Defence News, the flights were to "help determine the extent of the damage [to Tongan infrastructure]… and inform future disaster support requests." In October 2023, the Australian Government announced that, in addition to a further round of A$ 31.6 million for military assistance for Ukraine, it would be sending
6300-452: The war continued some of its personnel and equipment would likely have been allocated to the invasion of the Japanese mainland , along with some of the RAAF bomber squadrons in Europe, which were to be grouped together with British and Canadian squadrons as part of the proposed Tiger Force . However, the war was brought to a sudden end by the US nuclear attacks on Japan. The RAAF's casualties in
6384-507: The war, RAAF personnel were especially notable in RAF Bomber Command : although they represented just two percent of all Australian enlistments during the war, they accounted for almost twenty percent of those killed in action. This statistic is further illustrated by the fact that No. 460 Squadron RAAF , mostly flying Avro Lancasters , had an official establishment of about 200 aircrew and yet had 1,018 combat deaths. The squadron
6468-473: The year and are similar to national competitions. This can include Drill Competitions, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) competitions and a shooting competitions. The International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) Program came into being in 1947 when Canada and the UK arranged a bi-lateral exchange of air cadets between the two countries. The AAFC currently exchanges with the following countries: Airshows Cadets are given
6552-555: Was also director of the Air Force Band ), it was officially adopted as the RAAF's new march music on 23 March 1983, replacing the Royal Air Force March Past , which had long been the RAAF's march as well as the marchpast of other Commonwealth air forces. Subsequently, journalist Frank Cranston wrote lyrics to the march and a musical score was produced by September of the following year. The Roulettes are
6636-901: Was called upon to assist the Indian Army in providing air support during the Mesopotamian Campaign against the Ottoman Empire , in what is now Iraq . The corps later saw action in Egypt , Palestine and on the Western Front throughout the remainder of the First World War. By the end of the war, four squadrons— Nos. 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 —had seen operational service, while another four training squadrons— Nos. 5 , 6 , 7 and 8 —had also been established. A total of 460 officers and 2,234 other ranks served in
6720-634: Was deployed to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates as part of the coalition to combat Islamic State forces in Iraq. Operations began on 1 October. A number of C-17 and C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft based in the Middle East have also been used to conduct airdrops of humanitarian aid and to airlift arms and munitions since August. In June 2017, two RAAF AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft were deployed to
6804-482: Was deployed to Malta in the Mediterranean where it formed part of a British force which sought to counter the Soviet Union's influence in the Middle East as part of Australia's Cold War commitments. Consisting of No. 75 and 76 Squadrons equipped with de Havilland Vampire jet fighters, the wing provided an air garrison for the island for the next two and half years, returning to Australia in late 1954. In 1953,
6888-630: Was formed on 22 October 1912. During its history, the Royal Australian Air Force has fought in a number of major wars, including the Second World War in Europe and the Pacific, participated in the Berlin Airlift , Korean War , Malayan Emergency , Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation , Vietnam War , and more recently, operations in East Timor , the Iraq War and subsequent intervention, and
6972-517: Was formed to administer cadet units. The following year, the separate state cadet organisations, with little consistencies in training, standards, or organisations, and were not managed under the Australian Defence Force , were administered under a national administration. The name of Air Training Corps was also then changed to Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC). In 2005, the AAFC was re-organised into functional wings, supported by
7056-553: Was therefore effectively wiped out five times over. Total RAAF casualties in Europe were 5,488 killed or missing. The beginning of the Pacific War —and the rapid advance of Japanese forces—threatened the Australian mainland for the first time in its history. 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 Nos. 1, 8, 21 and 453 Squadrons , saw action with
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