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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 second in the world). 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". In the late 1970's the RAAF adopted a new force structure for tactical aircraft:

2 Strike/Reconnaissance Squadrons (F-111C/F-111G/RF-111C)
2 Air Defence Squadrons (F-4E Phantom II until 1981, F-14A Tomcat 1978-2007, now F/A-22 Raptor)
3 Tactical Fighter Squadrons (Mirage III until 1988, F/A-18 Hornet 1985-2005, now Dassault Rafale)

In 1989, it formally incorporated the Royal New Zealand Air Force, incorporating the two RNZAF fighter squadrons (2SQN RNZAF, and 75SQN RNZAF as 30SQN RAAF, and 82SQN RAAF, though the RNZAF crests remain out of respect).

Incorporation of RNZAF fighters led to a new interim force structure:

2 Strike/Reconnaissance Squadrons (F-111C/F-111G/RF-111C)
2 Air Defence Squadrons (F-4E Phantom II until 1981, F-14A Tomcat 1978-2007, now F/A-22 Raptor)
3 Tactical Fighter Squadrons (Mirage III until 1988, F/A-18 Hornet 1985-2005, now Dassault Rafale)
2 Ground Attack Squadrons (A-4K Skyhawk)

Finally, in 1993, the A-4K's were retired, and the RAAF adopted its present force stucture:

2 Strike/Reconnaissance Squadrons (F-111C/F-111G/RF-111C)
3 Air Defence Squadrons (F/A-22 Raptor)
4 Tactical Fighter Squadrons (Dassault Rafale)

The maritime patrol squadron (its P-3K Orions being upgraded to Australian standards, and added to the two Australian squadrons), and its C-130 Hercules used to form an additional RAAF Squadron. The 9 of the Aermacchi MB-339 aircraft were retained for testing duties with ARDU, and 6 in RNZAF markings as a display team.

The current Chief of the Air Staff is Air Marshal Sir Geoff Shepherd, AK. The RAAF operates over 500 aircraft, and is the most powerful airforcec in South East Asia.

Structure

Air Combat Group

A RAAF F-111C

A RAAF F-111C doing a 'dump and burn'

A RAAF F/A-22 Raptor of 3SQN

A RAAF F/A-22 of 3SQN

3 RAAF Hawk Mk.127s

A RAAF C-17 Globemaster III over Canberra

A RAAF C-17 Globemaster III

A RAAF C-130H kicks up the dust

A RAAF DHC-4 Caribou

A RAAF Boeing Business Jet

Wedgetail AEW&C

AP-3C Orion

The Roulettes

1SQN (Strike, Reconnaissance) (RAAF Amberley)
- 15 General Dynamics F-111C
- 4 General Dynamics RF-111C
6SQN (Strike, Conversion Training) (RAAF Amberley)
- 15 General Dynamics F-111G
- 5 General Dynamics F-111C
3SQN (Air Defence, Strike) (RAAF Williamtown)
- 16 Lockheed Martin F/A-22A Raptor
- 2 Lockheed Martin F/A-22B Raptor
80SQN (Air Defence, Strike) (RAAF Tindal)
- 16 Lockheed Martin F/A-22A Raptor
- 2 Lockheed Martin F/A-22B Raptor
82SQN (Air Defence, Strike) (RAAF Amberley)
- 16 Lockheed Martin F/A-22A Raptor
- 2 Lockheed Martin F/A-22B Raptor
30SQN (Air Defence, Strike, Close Support) (RAAF Ohakea)
- 10 Dassault Rafale C
- 8 Dassault Rafale B
75SQN (Air Defence, Strike, Close Support) (RAAF Tindal)
- 10 Dassault Rafale C
- 8 Dassault Rafale B
77SQN (Air Defence, Strike, Close Support) (RAAF Williamtown)
- 10 Dassault Rafale C
- 8 Dassault Rafale B
78SQN (Air Defence, Strike, Close Support) (RAAF Pearce)
- 10 Dassault Rafale C
- 8 Dassault Rafale B
2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU) (RAAF Williamtown)
- 15 Dassault Rafale B
- 5 Dassault Rafale C
3 Operational Conversion Unit (3OCU) (RAAF Williamtown)
- 10 Lockheed Martin F/A-22B Raptor
- 4 Lockheed Martin F/A-22A Raptor
76SQN (Lead in fighter training) (RAAF Williamtown)
- 15 BAE Systems Hawk 127
79SQN (Fast jet flying training) (RAAF Pearce)
- 18 BAE Systems Hawk 127
Forward Air Control Development Unit (RAAF Williamtown)
- 4 Pilatus PC-9/A

Airlift Group

36SQN (Strategic Transport) (RAAF Amberley)
- 6 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
35SQN (Tactical Transport) (RAAF Richmond)
- 12 Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules
37SQN (Strategic Transport) (RAAF Richmond)
- 12 Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules
104SQN (Tactical Transport) (RAAF Auckland)
- 12 Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules
38SQN (Tactical Transport) (RAAF Amberley)
- 12 de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou
33SQN (Air Refueling and Strategic Transport)
- 18 Airbus KC-30 MRTT (RAAF Amberley)
34SQN (VIP transport) (Defence Establishment Fairbairn)
- 3 Boeing Business Jets
- 4 Bombardier Challenger 604
5SQN (Special Operations Support, Rotary Wing) (RAAF Amberley)
- Detachment A (RAAF Amberley)
  - 6 Sikorsky MH-60K Black Hawk
- Detachment B (RAAF Auckland)
  - 6 Sikorsky MH-60K Black Hawk
9SQN (Special Operations Support, Rotary Wing) (RAAF Pearce)
- Detachment A (RAAF Pearce)
  - 6 Sikorsky MH-60K Black Hawk
- Detachment B (Holsworthy Barracks)
  - 6 Sikorsky MH-60K Black Hawk
41SQN (Special Operations Support, Fixed Wing) (RAAF Richmond)
- 6 Lockheed Martin MC-130W Combat Spear

Surveillence and Response Group

2SQN (Airborne Early Warning and Control) (RAAF Williamtown)
- 8 Boeing 737 Wedgetail AEW&C
10SQN (Maritime Patrol) (RAAF Edinburgh)
- 12 Lockheed AP-3C Orion
11SQN (Maritime Patrol) (RAAF Auckland)
- 12 Lockheed AP-3C Orion
292SQN (Conversion Training) (RAAF Edinburgh)
- 6 Lockheed TAP-3 Orion
66SQN (Unmanned Ocean Surveillance) (RAAF Edinburgh)
- 18 Raytheon RQ-4 Global Hawk
100SQN (Unmanned Surveillance/Strike) (RAAF Tindal)
- 18 General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper
107SQN (Unmanned Surveillance/Strike) (RAAF Amberley)
- 18 General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper
41WG
- Ground based radar surveillence and control
- 1RSU No. 1 Radar Surveillance Unit
- 3CRU No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit
- 114MCRU No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit
- 114MCRU DET No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit Detachment
- SACTU Surveillance and Control Training Unit
44WG
- Air traffic control services for all Australian Defence Force airfields.

Aerospace Operational Support Group

Aircraft Research and Development Unit (RAAF Edinburgh)
- 1 Dassault Rafale B
- 1 Dassault Rafale C
- 3 Aermacchi MB-339
- 3 Pilatus PC-9/A
- 2 Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk
- 1 Beech King Air 200
- Other aircraft from RAAF, AAAvn, and FAA units as required
- Civilian contract aircraft as required
87SQN
- Air Intelligence Squadron
462SQN
- Information Warfare Squadron
JEWOSU (Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit)
ASCENG (Aircraft Stores Compatibility Engineering Agency)

Air Force Training Group

Air Training Wing
- 32SQN (RAAF East Sale)
  - 8 Beech King Air 300
- Central Flying School (RAAF East Sale)
  - 28 Pilatus PC-9/A
  - The Roulettes (RAAF Flight Display Team)
    - 6 Pilatus PC-9/A
  - The Royal New Zealand Air Force Red Checkers
    - 6 Aermacchi MB-339¹
- No. 2 Flying Training School (RAAF Pearce)
  - 28 Pilatus PC-9/A
- BAE Systems Flight Training Australia (Tamworth Airport)
  - CT/4 (on contract)
Ground Training Wing
RAAF College
Combat Support Unit - Williams
Combat Support Force - Pearce

¹The RNZAF Red Checkers is the only New Zealand titled unit in the RAAF, and their aircraft still fly with the Red Kiwi roundel of the RNZAF, rather than the Red Kangaroo of the RAAF.

Combat Support Group

HQCSG Headquarters Combat Support Group
CSU-GLN Combat Support Unit - Glenbrook
ACBAND Air Command Band
395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing
396 Combat Support Wing
Airfield Defence Wing
Health Services Wing
Combat Reserve Wing

Aircraft Inventory

39 General Dynamics F-111C/G/RF-111C
- 20 General Dynamics F-111C
- 15 General Dynamics F-111G
- 4 General Dynamics RF-111C
68 Lockheed Martin F/A-22A/B Raptor
- 52 Lockheed Martin F/A-22A
- 16 Lockheed Martin F/A-22B
94 Dassault Rafale
- 41 Dassault Rafale C
- 53 Dassault Rafale B
33 BAe Systems Hawk 127
6 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
42 Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules
- 24 Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules
- 12 Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules
- 6 Lockheed Martin MC-130W Combat Spear
12 de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou
18 Airbus KC-30 MRTT
3 Boeing Business Jets
4 Bombardier Challenger 604
24 Sikorsky MH-60K Black Hawk
2 Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk
8 Boeing 737 Wedgetail AEW&C
30 Lockheed AP-3C Orion
18 Raytheon RQ-4 Global Hawk
36 General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper
8 Beech King Air 300
1 Beech King Air 200
9 Aermacchi MB-339
69 Pilatus PC-9/A

Aerial Weapons

These aerial weapons are used not only by the RAAF, but also by the Fleet Air Arm, and Australian Army Aviation.

Guns

M61 Vulcan 20mm Cannon
ADEN 30mm Cannon
GIAT 791B 30mm Cannon
GAU-12 Equaliser 25mm Cannon (Fleet Air Arm only)
M2 QCHB 0.50 cal Heavy Machine Gun
GAU-15/A 0.50 cal Heavy Machine Gun
GAU-19 0.50 cal Heavy Machine Gun
M134 7.62mm Minigun
MAG 58 7.62mm GPMG

Air to Air Missiles

AIM-132 ASRAAM
AIM-120 AMRAAM

Air to Ground Missiles

AGM-65 Maverick
AGM-84 Harpoon
AGM-84E SLAM
AGM-84H SLAM-ER
ALARM
BGM-109 Tomahawk
AGM-114 Hellfire
AGM-119 Pengiun (FAA only)
AGM-142 Have Nap
AGM-154 JSOW
AGM-158 JASSM

Bombs

Mk 82 500lb GP Bomb
Mk 83 1000lb GP Bomb
Mk 84 2000lb GP Bomb
GBU-12 Paveway II 500lb Laser Guided Bomb
GBU-10 Paveway II 2000lb Laser Guided Bomb
GBU-22 Paveway III 500lb Laser Guided Bomb
GBU-24 Paveway III 2000lb Laser Guided Bomb
GBU-27 Paveway III 2000lb Penetrating Laser Guided Bomb
GBU-28 Paveway III 4500lb Penetrating Laser Guided Bomb
GBU-15/B 2000lb EO/IIR Guided Bomb
GBU-38/B 500lb JDAM
GBU-31C(V)1/B 2000lb JDAM
GBU-31C(V)3/B 2000lb Penetrating JDAM
GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb

Cluster Bombs

CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon
CBU-100 Cluster Bomb
CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon

Rockets

CRV7

Torpedoes

Mk 46
MU90

Markings

Standard RAAF Roundel for non-tactical aircraft

Fin flash for non-tactical aircraft

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

Roundel used by the RNZAF Red Checkers

Uniforms

The RAAF has two basic uniforms, an all weather Service Dress uniform, and Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform. There are also specialist uniforms, and specialist variations on uniforms. A blue cotton Combined Working Dress is also on issue, but is being withdrawn in favour of DPCU.

The Service Dress uniform is based on the uniform of the Royal Air Force. The main distinctions are the colour (Air Force Blue, or Midnight Blue), and the shoulder title "AUSTRALIA". The Cool Weather version uses either a Jacket over shirt and tie. Warm Weather discards the jacket, and Hot Weather uses a short sleeved shirt. With medals, and arms, the SD uniform becomes Ceremonial Dress. Service Dress is the primary working dress for anyone working in an "office" environment. With a vest, it is used by aircrew on VIP flights (on all other flights, the aircrew wear flying dress). Ground Defence Officers, and Airfield Defence Guards wear a blue grey beret. Tropical Dress is a short khaki uniform worn as a substitute for Service Dress in hot environments.

RAAF Service Dress Uniform

RAAF Tropical Dress Uniform

DPCU (or DPDU where appropriate) is the primary working dress of all ground musterings not in an office role.

Rank Insignia

Officers

Airmen

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 Flying Dress, 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.

The Future

The 1990's and early 2000's saw the RAAF in an effort to "future proof" itself. It embarked on plans to renew its tactical transport force, tanker force, tactical and air defence fighter forces, and training force. The RAAF also created new capabilities including UAV's, special operations aviation, and strategic heavy airlift. The RAAF is now in a position that is respectable. It is the most powerful air force in the Southern Hemisphere, except for Brazil, however it still needs new aircraft, including a new maritime patrol aircraft, and a replacement for the F-111. The RAAF may opt for further upgrades of the F-111 to extend it to 2030 and beyond.

Australian Defence Force
Australian Army \| Royal Australian Air Force \| Royal Australian Navy

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 *2 Strike/Reconnaissance Squadrons (F-111C/F-111G/RF-111C)
-*2 Air Defence Squadrons (F-4E Phantom II until 1987, F-15A+ Eagle 1978-2007, now F/A-22 Raptor)
+*2 Air Defence Squadrons (F-4E Phantom II until 1981, F-14A Tomcat 1978-2007, now F/A-22 Raptor)
 *3 Tactical Fighter Squadrons (Mirage III until 1988, F/A-18 Hornet 1985-2005, now Dassault Rafale)
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 *2 Strike/Reconnaissance Squadrons (F-111C/F-111G/RF-111C)
-*2 Air Defence Squadrons (F-4E Phantom II until 1981, F-15A+ Eagle 1978-2007, now F/A-22 Raptor)
+*2 Air Defence Squadrons (F-4E Phantom II until 1981, F-14A Tomcat 1978-2007, now F/A-22 Raptor)
 *3 Tactical Fighter Squadrons (Mirage III until 1988, F/A-18 Hornet 1985-2005, now Dassault Rafale)
 *2 Ground Attack Squadrons (A-4K Skyhawk)

Royal Australian Air Force