From Daily Escape

Revision as of 01:36, 3 October 2007

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF began in March 1914 as the Australian Flying Corps and became a fully independent Air Force in March 1921. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts including both World Wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The motto on the RAAF's coat of arms is the Latin phrase Per Ardua ad Astra, which means "Through Struggle to the Stars",The Royal Air Force use the same motto but translate it as "Through Adversity to the Stars".

Inventory

A RAAF F-111C

• 2 Squadrons of General Dynamics F-111C/G (28 aircraft in total)
  • 1SQN
  • 6SQN
• 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin F/A-22 Raptor (2 more squadrons on order) (18 aircraft in total)
  • 3SQN
• 2 Squadrons of Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (1 more squadon on order, plus 10 more for 2OCU) (54 aircraft in total)
  • 30SQN
  • 75SQN
  • 77SQN

A pair of RAAF F/A-18 Hornets

• 1 Squadron of Boeing F/A-18A+/B+ Hornet (18 aircraft)
  • 78SQN
• 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU)
  • 10 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet
  • 10 Boeing F/A-18B+ Hornet
• 2 Squadrons BAE Systems Hawk 127 (33 aircraft in total)
  • 76SQN (Lead in fighter training)
  • 79SQN (Fast jet flying training)
• 8 Boeing 737 AEW&C
  • 2SQN
• 2 Squadrons of Lockheed AP-3C Orion (30 aircraft in total)
  • 10SQN
  • 11SQN
• 1 Squadron of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III (6 aircraft in total)
  • 36SQN
• 3 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules
  • 35SQN (12 C-130H)
  • 37SQN (12 C-130J-30)
  • 104SQN (12 C-130H)
• 1 Squadron of de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou (12 aircraft in total)
  • 38SQN
• 33 Squadron (air refuelling squadron)
  • 4 Boeing 707 Tankers
  • 3 KC-135R Stratotankers
  • 2 A330 MRTT (8 more on order)
• 34 Squadron (VIP transport)
  • 3 Boeing Business Jets
  • 4 Bombardier Challenger 604
• 1 Squadron of Beech King Air 300 (8 aircraft in total)
  • 32SQN

The Roulettes

• 2 Units of Pilatus PC-9/A
  • Central Flying School
    • The Roulettes (RAAF Flight Display Team)
  • No. 2 Flying Training School

Markings

Standard RAAF Roundel for non-tactical aircraft

Grey RAAF Roundel for tactical aircraft
N.B. Kangaroo always faces aircraft nose

Ensign

The RAAF Ensign is the flag of the Royal Australian Air Force. It is flown on all RAAF establishments, RAAF units on ceremonial occasions march under it, and is worn by all RAAF personnel on Working Dress, Disruptive Pattern Combat Uniform, and Disruptive Pattern Desert Uniform inside Australia (outside Australia, the Australian National Flag is worn) on the right arm with the Union Flag facing forward.