Royal Australian Air Force

"RAAF" redirects here. For the British auxiliary air force, see Royal Auxiliary Air Force. For other uses, see RAAF (disambiguation).

Royal Australian Air Force
The RAAF Ensign
Founded	31 March 1921
Country	Australia
Branch	Air Force
Size	15,430 personnel, 253 aircraft (2011)
Part of	Australian Defence Force
Air Force Headquarters	Canberra
Motto(s)	Per Ardua ad Astra ('Through Struggle to the Stars')
Mascot(s)	Kangaroo
Commanders
Chief of Air Force	Air Marshal Mark Binskin
Deputy Chief of Air Force	Air Vice Marshal Geoff Brown
Air Commander Australia	Air Vice Marshal Mark Skidmore
Notable commanders	Sir Richard Williams
Insignia
RAAF badge	Royal Australian Air Force badge
RAAF roundel
RAAF low visibility roundel
Aircraft flown
Electronic warfare	Boeing 737 AEW&C
Fighter	F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18F Super Hornet
Patrol	AP-3C Orion
Reconnaissance	Heron UAV
Trainer	PC-9, Hawk 127, B300
Transport	C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, Boeing 737, B300, Challenger 600

Serny, France, November 1918. A score board recording the claims for enemy aircraft destroyed by No. 80 Wing RAF from July–November 1918. The squadrons listed include No. 2 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps and No. 4 Squadron, AFC. The other columns are headed "In Flames", "Crashed", "O.O.C." (Out of Control), "Driven Down" and "Balloons Destroyed"."

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC), which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts including both World Wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. More recently the RAAF participated in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The motto on the RAAF's coat of arms is the Latin phrase Per ardua ad astra, which means "Through Struggle to the Stars".

History

Main article: History of the Royal Australian Air Force

Formation, 1912

The RAAF traces its history back to the Imperial Conference held in London in 1911, where it was decided aviation should be developed within the armed forces of the British Empire. Australia implemented this decision, the only country to do so, by approving the establishment of the Central Flying School at Point Cook, Victoria on 22 October 1912. The RAAF was the second air force to be officially formed.

World War I

See also: Military history of Australia during World War I

Soon after the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the Australian Flying Corps sent aircraft to assist in capturing German colonies in what is now north-east New Guinea. 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 was called upon to assist the Indian Army in protecting British oil interests in what is now Iraq.

The Corps later saw action in Egypt, Palestine and on the Western Front throughout the remainder of World War I. By the end of the war, four squadrons had seen active service. 460 officers and 2,234 other ranks served in the AFC, whilst another 200 men served as aircrew in the British flying services. Casualties included 175 dead, 111 wounded, 6 gassed and 40 captured.

Units of the AFC

Operational Squadrons	Training Squadrons
No. 1 Squadron AFC	No.5 (Training) Squadron AFC
No.2 Squadron AFC	No.6 (Training) Squadron AFC
No.3 Squadron AFC	No.7 (Training) Squadron AFC
No.4 Squadron AFC	No.8 (Training) Squadron AFC

AFC World War I flying aces include the following pilots:

• A. H. "Harry" Cobby (29)
• Elwyn King (26)
• Alexander Pentland (23)
• Edgar McCloughry (21)
• Edgar Johnston (20)
• Andrew Cowper (19)
• Cedric Howell (19)
• Fred Holliday (17)
• Allan Hepburn (16)
• Francis Ryan Smith (16)
• John Rutherford Gordon (15)
• Roy Cecil Phillipps (15)

Inter-war period

The Australian Flying Corps remained part of the Australian Army until 1919, when it was disbanded along with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Although the Central Flying School continued to operate at Point Cook, military flying virtually ceased until 1920, when the Australian Air Corps was formed. The Australian Air Force was formed on 31 March 1921. King George V approved the prefix "Royal" in June 1921 and became effective on 31 August 1921. The RAAF then became the second Royal air arm to be formed in the British Commonwealth, following the British Royal Air Force. When formed the RAAF had more aircraft than personnel, with 21 officers and 131 other ranks and 170 aircraft.

World War II

See also: Military history of Australia during World War II

Europe and the Mediterranean

In 1939, just after the start of World War II, 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 19 RAAF bomber, fighter, reconnaissance and other squadrons served initially in Britain, and/or with the Desert Air Force, in North Africa 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, 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 torpedo bomber.

In the European Theatre of World War II, RAAF personnel were especially notable in RAF Bomber Command: 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, mostly flying Avro Lancasters, 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

Brewster Buffalo fighters, flown by many RAAF fighter pilots in the Malayan, Singapore and Dutch East Indies campaigns, as seen here being inspected at RAF Sembawang, Singapore.

The beginning of the Pacific War — and the rapid advance of Japanese 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 and 453 Squadrons, saw action with the RAF Far East Command in the Malayan, 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.

The devastating air raids on Darwin on 19 February 1942 drove the point home. 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 P-40 Kittyhawks and the rapid design and manufacture of the first Australian fighter, the CAC Boomerang. RAAF Kittyhawks came to play 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.

RAAF volunteers from Brisbane leaving for training

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 the DAP. Although it was much bigger than Japanese fighters, the Beaufighter had the speed to outrun them.

The RAAF's heavy bomber force was predominantly 287 B-24 Liberators, which could bomb Japanese targets as far away as Borneo and the Philippines from airfields in Australia and New Guinea.

By late 1945, 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. The RAAF's main operational formation, the First Tactical Air Force, comprised more than 18,000 personnel and 20 squadrons; it had taken part in the Philippines and Borneo campaigns and was scheduled to participate in the invasion of the Japanese mainland, Operation Downfall. So too were the RAAF bomber squadrons in Europe, as part of the proposed Tiger Force. However, the war was brought to a sudden end by the US nuclear attacks 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, the RAAF Squadron Berlin Air Lift 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, from 1950–53, Mustangs from No. 77 Squadron (77 Sqn), stationed in Japan with 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 MiG-15 jet fighters, 77 Sqn acquired Gloster Meteors, which enabled some success against the Soviet pilots flying for North Korea. However the MiGs were superior aircraft and the Meteors were relegated to ground support missions, as the North Koreans gained experience. The air force also operated transport aircraft during the conflict. No. 77 Squadron flew 18872 sorties, claiming the destruction of 3700 buildings, 1408 vehicles, 16 bridges, 98 railway carriages and an unknown number of enemy personnel. 3 MiG-15s were confirmed destroyed, and 2 others probably destroyed. RAAF casualties included 41 killed and 7 captured; 66 aircraft – 22 Mustangs and 44 Meteors – were lost.

In the Malayan Emergency, from 1950–1960, 6 Lincolns from No. 1 Squadron (1 Sqn) and a flight of Dakotas from No. 38 Squadron (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 (2 Sqn) were deployed to Malaya and took part in bombing missions against the CTs.

Two RAAF Mirage III fighters in 1980

During the Vietnam War, from 1964–72, the RAAF contributed squadrons of Caribou STOL transport aircraft (RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam, later No. 35 Squadron), UH-1 Iroquois helicopters (No. 9 Squadron) and English Electric Canberra bombers (No. 2 Squadron). The Canberras flew 11,963 bombing sorties, and two aircraft were lost. One went missing during a bombing raid. The wreckage of the aircraft was recovered in April 2009, and the remains of Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver were found in late July 2009. The other was shot down by a surface to air missile, although both crew were rescued. They dropped 76389 bombs and were credited with 786 enemy personnel confirmed killed and a further 3390 estimated killed, 8637 structures, 15568 bunkers, 1267 sampans and 74 bridges destroyed. RAAF transport aircraft also supported anti-communist ground forces. The UH-1 helicopters were used in many roles including Dustoff (medical evacuation) and Bushranger Gunships for armed support. RAAF casualties in Vietnam included 6 killed in action, 8 non-battle fatalities, 30 wounded in action and 30 injured.

Military airlifts were conducted for a number of purposes in the intervening decades, such as the peacekeeping operations in East 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 operated in the escort and ground attack roles, flying a total of 350 sorties and dropping 122 laser guided bombs.

RAAF Hornet with coalition counterparts over Iraq

Since August 2007, a detachment of No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit RAAF has been on active service at Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan. Approximately 75 personnel deployed with the TPS 77 radar assigned with the responsibility to coordinate coalition combat air operations.

Ranks and uniform

A No. 75 Squadron Leading Aircraft Woman in 2008 wearing Auscam DPCU

Main article: Ranks of the RAAF

The RAAF uses Royal Air Force (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 but a midnight blue color, which is one shade darker than navy blue. AUSTRALIA on slip-on rank epaulettes 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

Originally, the air force used the existing red, white and blue roundel of the Royal Air Force. However, during World War II, 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.

The current version of the RAAF roundel was formally adopted on 2 July 1956. The roundel exists 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 the front. Low visibility versions exist of the roundel, with the white omitted and the red and blue replaced with light or dark grey. Australian Army helicopters sometimes use just the Kangaroo, either in black or in one of the camouflage colours.

Royal Australian Air Force badge

The RAAF badge was accepted by the Chester Herald 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 (shared with the Royal Air Force) Per Ardua Ad Astra. Surmounting the badge is a wedge-tailed eagle. 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.

Current strength

Aircraft

See also: Current Royal Australian Air Force Aircraft

As of 2010, the following aircraft are operated by the RAAF:

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes
Fighter Aircraft
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet	USA	Fighter/Attack	Total F/A-18A F/A-18B	71 55 16	Built in Australia under licence from McDonnell Douglas. The F/A-18 fleet has been the subject of various upgrades since it entered service in the 1980s and remains capable, but fatigue issues mean that it may not remain a viable front-line air defence option until the planned retirement date of 2015, although this is being mitigated through a centre barrel replacement program. They will be replaced by 100 F-35 Lightning II.
F/A-18F Super Hornet	USA	Fighter/Attack	F/A-18F F/A-18F+	12 3	24 F/A-18F aircraft will help avoid a gap in the Australian Air Force strike capability, between the retirement of the F-111 in 2010 and delivery of the F-35A. The F/A-18F Super Hornets will enter service from the end of 2010. The RAAF's first five Super Hornets arrived at their home base, RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, on 26 March 2010, with the second batch of six arrived on 6 July 2010. The third batch of four aircraft arrived at RAAF Base Amberley on 7 December 2010. These include the first three modified to allow later conversion to EA-18G Growler, designated F/A-18F+.
Training
BAE Systems Hawk	UK	Lead-in Fighter Trainer	Hawk 127	33	Fighter jet conversion trainer.
Pilatus PC-9	Switzerland Australia	Advanced Trainer	PC-9	65	Produced under licence in Australia by de Havilland Australia.
Beechcraft Super King Air	USA	Navigational Trainer	B350	8
Airborne Early Warning & Control
Boeing 737 AEW&C	Australia	Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)	Total 737 AEW&C To Deliver	6 2 4	2 of the 737 AEW&C have been delivered (26/11/2009) and another 4 to be delivered over 2010/2011
Aerial Refueling
Airbus A330 MRTT	EU	Aerial Refueling (AAR)	Total KC-30A To Deliver	5 0 5	Aircraft currently undergoing final integration checks of the refuelling system prior to entry into service
Maritime Patrol
AP-3C Orion	USA	Maritime Patrol/Strike	Total AP-3C P-3C	21 18 3	All aircraft to be withdrawn by 2018. Will probably be replaced by 8 Boeing P-8 Poseidon and 7 large UAVs.
UAV
IAI Heron	Israel Canada	Reconnaissance/Surveillance	Heron 1	2	Long term lease agreement with Canada.
Transport
Boeing Business Jet	USA	VIP transport	737–700 BBJ	2	Long term lease, transport for government leaders and senior executives travelling on official business
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III	USA	Strategic Transport	C-17	4
Bombardier Challenger 600	Canada	VIP transport	CL 604	3
Lockheed C-130 Hercules	USA	Transport	C-130H	8	4 have been retired.
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules	USA	Transport	C-130J	12	First entered service in 1999
Beechcraft Super King Air	USA	Light Transport	B350	8	Interim replacement for Caribou transports, 3 of which were transferred from Army Aviation.
RAAF F-111C with its wings unswept in 2006. RAAF C-17 Globemaster III parked at Melbourne Airport. RAAF C-130J Super Hercules from No. 37 Sqn in 2008. AP-3C Orion of No. 11 Sqn

Small arms

• L9A1/L9A3 Self Loading Pistol (Browning Hi-Power)
• Glock 19 Jet Aircrew Pistol
• Heckler & Koch MP5 Sub-Machine Gun
• Remington 870 shotgun
• F88 Austeyr rifle (Steyr AUG)
• SR-98 Sniper Rifle
• F89 Light Support Weapon (Minimi)
• MAG58 General Service Machine Gun
• M203 grenade launcher

Current flying squadrons

Main article: Structure of the RAAF

• No. 1 Squadron – Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet (Ground Attack)
• No. 2 Squadron – Boeing Wedgetail (AEW&C) (operational 2009)
• No. 3 Squadron – McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Air Defence)
• No. 4 Squadron – Pilatus PC9/A (Forward Air Controller Training)
• No. 5 Flight - Heron UAV
• No. 6 Squadron – converting to Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet (Ground Attack)
• No. 10 Squadron – Lockheed P-3C Orion (Maritime Patrol)
• No. 11 Squadron – Lockheed P-3C Orion (Maritime Patrol)
• No. 32 Squadron – Beechcraft King Air 350 (Air Combat Officer and Navy Observer Training)
• No. 33 Squadron – To be equipped with KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transports
• No. 34 Squadron – Boeing 737, Bombardier Challenger 604 (Transport)
• No. 36 Squadron – Boeing Globemaster III (Transport)
• No. 37 Squadron – Lockheed C-130H/C-130J-30 Hercules (Transport)
• No. 38 Squadron – Beechcraft King Air 350 (Transport)
• No. 75 Squadron – McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Air Defence)
• No. 76 Squadron – BAE Systems Hawk 127 (Lead-in Fighter Training/Close Support)
• No. 77 Squadron – McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Air Defence)
• No. 79 Squadron – BAE Systems Hawk 127 (Hawk Conversion/Close Support)
• No. 292 Squadron – Lockheed P-3C Orion (Training/Maritime Patrol)
• No. 2 OCU – McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Training & Type Conversion)
• No. 2 FTS – Pilatus PC9/A (Advanced Air Force and Navy Flying Training)
• Central Flying School – Pacific Aerospace CT4B, Pilatus PC9/A (Flying Instructor Training) Established March 1913
• Australian Defence Force Basic Flying Training School – Pacific Aerospace CT4B (Basic Navy, Army, and Air Force Flying Training)

Non Flying Squadrons

• No. 20 Squadron
• No. 21 Squadron
• No. 22 Squadron
• No. 23 Squadron
• No. 24 Squadron
• No. 25 Squadron
• No. 26 Squadron
• No. 27 Squadron
• No. 28 Squadron
• No. 29 Squadron
• No. 30 Squadron
• No. 31 Squadron
• No. 460 Squadron
• No. 462 Squadron

Future equipment

A F-35 Lightning II at Edwards Air Force Base in the United States.

First Airbus A-330-200 MRTT for the RAAF taking off for a test flight from the Getafe Air Base (Spain).

This list includes aircraft on order or a requirement which has been identified:

• Up to 100 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II (CTOL variant) — are scheduled to be delivered from 2014. In a first stage not fewer than 72 aircraft will be acquired to equip three operational squadrons. The remaining aircraft will be acquired in conjunction with the withdrawal of the F/A-18F Super Hornets after 2020 to ensure no gap in Australia's overall air combat capability occurs. On 25 November 2009, Australia committed to placing a first order for 14 aircraft at a cost of A$3.2 billion with deliveries to begin in 2014.
• 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets of which half will be wired to allow possible later conversion to the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft. The 24 F/A-18F aircraft will help avoid a gap in the Australian Air Force strike capability, between the retirement of the F-111 in 2010 and delivery of the F-35A. The F/A-18F Super Hornets will enter service from the end of 2010.
• Eight Maritime patrol aircraft to replace Lockheed AP-3C Orions. Australia is participating in the development of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon to fill this role, but has not committed to purchase the aircraft.
• Seven large HALE (high-altitude, long-endurance) UAVs to expand the surveillance of Australia's maritime approaches.
• Six Boeing Project Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, including another single aircraft optioned, entering service in 2011.
• Five Airbus KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transports — to replace the dated Boeing 707s in aerial refueling and strategic transport roles entering service in 2010.
• 10 light tactical fixed-wing aircraft to replace the DHC-4 Caribou aircraft
• A fifth C-17 Globemaster airlifter is being sought instead of the earlier planned purchase of two additional C-130J Super Hercules that were intended to replace retiring C-130Hs.
• Replacement aircraft for PC-9 training aircraft under Project AIR 5428, with a decision due between 2012–2015. Contenders include the Pilatus PC-21.

Gallery of RAAF aircraft

• 
  An Australian F-111
• 
  BAe Hawk Mk.127 lead-in fighter of No. 76 Squadron RAAF in special colour-scheme with "panther" motif.
• 
  An AP-3C Orion
• 
  One of the RAAF's C-17 Globemasters
• 
  A RAAF C-130J Hercules
• 
  One of the RAAF's Boeing Business Jets
• 
  RAAF PC-9 from No.2 FTS, on approach to Rottnest Island

See also

• Australian Air Traffic Control
• Airfield Defence Guards
• Australian Air Force Cadets
• Australian Defence Force ranks and insignia
• Royal Australian Air Force VIP aircraft

Lists:

• List of aircraft of the RAAF
• List of Royal Australian Air Force aircraft squadrons
• List of Royal Australian Air Force independent aircraft flights
• List of Australian air force bases
• List of air forces

Memorials and Museums:

• Royal Australian Air Force Memorial, Canberra
• Royal Australian Air Force Memorial, Brisbane
• RAAF Museum
• List of Australian military memorials

References

• Pittaway, Nigel (March 2010). "ADF pilot training under contract". Defence Today. 8 (2). Amberley: Strike Publications: 20–21. ISSN 1447-0446.

Further reading

• Ashworth, Norman (1999). How Not To Run An Air Force! The Higher Command of the Royal Australian Air Force During the Second World War. Australia: Royal Australian Air Force Air Power Development Centre. ISBN 0-642-26550-X.

External links

• RAAF official site
• RAAF Air Power Doctrine
• ADF Aircraft Serial Number
• RAAF YouTube channel