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Royal Australian Air Force

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"RAAF" redirects here. For other uses, see RAAF (disambiguation).
Royal Australian Air Force
The RAAF Ensign
Founded31 March 1921
CountryAustralia
BranchAir Force
Size15,430 personnel (2006)
Part ofAustralian Defence Force
Air Force HeadquartersCanberra
Motto(s)Per Ardua ad Astra ('Through Struggle to the Stars')
Mascot(s)Kangaroo
Commanders
Chief of Air ForceAir Marshal Mark Binskin
Deputy Chief of Air ForceAir Vice Marshal Geoff Brown
Air Commander AustraliaAir Vice Marshal Mark Skidmore
Warrant Officer of the Air ForceWarrant Officer of the Air Force Ray Woolnough
Insignia
RAAF badgeRoyal Australian Air Force Badge
RAAF low visibility roundelThe Low visibility Roundel.
Aircraft flown
BomberF-111
Electronic
warfare		Boeing 737 AEW&C
FighterF/A-18 Hornet
PatrolAP-3C Orion
ReconnaissanceRF-111
TrainerPC-9, Hawk 127, B300
TransportC-130 Hercules, DHC-Caribou, C-17 Globemaster III, Boeing 737, Challenger 600

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF began in March 1912 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. 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";[1] the Royal Air Force uses the same motto but translates it as "Through Adversity to the Stars".

History

Main article: History of the Royal Australian Air Force

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-west 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.

AFC World War I flying aces include the following pilots:

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"."

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. [1]

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. [2].

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 comprised of 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, an RAAF squadron 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.[2]

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.[3]

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. [4]

Boeing 707 of the RAAF

During the Vietnam War, from 1966-72, the RAAF contributed squadrons of Caribou STOL transport aircraft (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, 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.[5] 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.[6]

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.

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. [7]

Ranks and uniform

Main article: Ranks of the RAAF

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 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

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 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. 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.[1]

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 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. 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. [3]

Current strength

Aircraft

See also: Current RAAF Aircraft

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

Template:Standard table ! 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[8][9][10] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |----- | BAE Systems Hawk |  United Kingdom | Lead-in fighter trainer | Hawk 127 | 33 | fighter jet conversion trainer. |----- | Beechcraft Super King Air |  United States | Navigational trainer | B300 | 8 | |----- | Boeing Business Jet |  United States | VIP transport | 737-700 BBJ | 2 | Long term lease, transport for government leaders and senior executives travelling on official business[11]. |----- | Boeing C-17 Globemaster III |  United States | Transport | C-17 | 4 | All aircraft were delivered by January 2008[12]. |----- | Bombardier Challenger 600 |  Canada | VIP transport | CL 604 | 3 | |----- | de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou |  Canada | Transport | DHC-4 | 14 | The DHC-4 will be retired in 2009.[13] |----- | General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark |  United States | 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 has been selected as an interim replacement. All F-111G Aircraft were retired in September 2007. |----- | Lockheed C-130 Hercules |  United States | Transport | C-130 total
C-130H
C-130J-30 | 20
8
12 | |----- | Lockheed P-3 Orion |  United States | Maritime patrol/strike | P-3 total
AP-3C | 19
18 | All aircraft to be withdrawn by 2018. Will probably be replaced by Boeing P-8 Poseidon |----- | McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet |  United States
 Australia | Fighter/attack | F/A-18 total
F/A-18A
F/A-18B | 71
54
17 | 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[citation needed]. They are expected to be replaced by 100 F-35 Lightning II. |----- | Pilatus PC-9 |  Switzerland
 Australia | Advanced trainer | PC-9 | 65 | Produced under licence in Australia by de Havilland Australia. |----- | | |Total |Fighters/ Attack Aircraft

Trainers

Transport(Inc. VIP |111

130

43 |Trainers includes the 24 PAC CT/4 basic trainers |} In addition, 24 PAC CT/4 basic trainers, better known as the "Plastic Parrot", are owned and operated by BAE Systems for primary training.

Small arms

Current flying squadrons

Main article: Structure of the RAAF

Future equipment

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

Procurement Review

The new Labor government made a pledge to review the procurement of both the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and the F/A-18F Super Hornet as part of a review of overall defence procurement. The new defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon made clear that "no option would be ruled out". This includes the possibility of purchasing the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor[16]. On 17 March 2008 defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon confirmed that Australia would purchase 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets. [17]

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 electronic warfare aircraft to compliment the new F model purchase.[citation needed] Up to 6 Growlers are being considered.

  • F/A-18 Hornets of the Royal Australian Air Force.
    F/A-18 Hornets of the Royal Australian Air Force.
  • An Australian F-111
    An Australian F-111
  • BAe Hawk Mk.127 lead-in fighter of No. 76 Squadron RAAF in special colour-scheme with "panther" motif.
    BAe Hawk Mk.127 lead-in fighter of No. 76 Squadron RAAF in special colour-scheme with "panther" motif.
  • An AP-3C Orion
    An AP-3C Orion
  • One of the RAAF's C-17 Globemasters
    One of the RAAF's C-17 Globemasters
  • A RAAF C-130J Hercules
    A RAAF C-130J Hercules
  • One of the RAAF's Boeing Business Jets
    One of the RAAF's Boeing Business Jets
  • RAAF PC-9 from No.2 FTS, on approach to Rottnest Island
    RAAF PC-9 from No.2 FTS, on approach to Rottnest Island

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Australian Air Force.

References

  1. ^ a b "RAAF Badge and Roundel". Australian Department of Defence. Retrieved 2007-03-15.
  2. ^ Eather, Steve (1996) Odd Jobs: RAAF Operations in Japan, the Berlin Airlift, Korea, Malaya and Malta 1946-1960. Point Cook: RAAF Museum, Page 38.
  3. ^ Eather, Steve (1996) Odd Jobs: RAAF Operations in Japan, the Berlin Airlift, Korea, Malaya and Malta 1946-1960. Point Cook: RAAF Museum, Page 162.
  4. ^ Eather, Steve (1996) Odd Jobs: RAAF Operations in Japan, the Berlin Airlift, Korea, Malaya and Malta 1946-1960. Point Cook: RAAF Museum, Pages 40 - 77.
  5. ^ Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1995) The RAAF in Vietnam: Australian Air Involvement in the Vietnam War 1962-1975, The Official History of Australia's Involvement in the Vietnam War. St Leonards: Allen & Unwin, Page 215.
  6. ^ Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1995) The RAAF in Vietnam: Australian Air Involvement in the Vietnam War 1962-1975, The Official History of Australia's Involvement in the Vietnam War. St Leonards: Allen & Unwin, Page 351.
  7. ^ www.smh.com.au/news/National/Aussies-to-take-Afghan-plane-control/2007/07/19/1184559952513.html
  8. ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, 15 January 2007.
  9. ^ 2005-06 Defence Annual Report Page 134
  10. ^ RAAF A97 Lockheed C-130A/E/H/J Hercules- list retrieved 2007-08-30.
  11. ^ RAAF Museum
  12. ^ Australian military aviation OrBat
  13. ^ "Australian Aviation Express. Issue 241". Phantom Media. 2008-09-29. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  14. ^ RAAF Airfield Defence Guard webpage Retrieved: 27 June 2008.
  15. ^ $6 billion to maintain Australia's regional air superiority. Australian Government, Department of Defence, 6 Mar 2007
  16. ^ Govindasamy, Siva. "Australia to weigh Lockheed Martin F-22 against Russian fighters." Reed Business Information, Flightglobal.com, 10 January 2008. Retrieved: 28 February 2008.
  17. ^ Kerr, Julian. "Australian government commits to Super Hornet acquisition." Janes Information Group, janes.com, 18 March 2008. Retrieved: 1 April 2008.

Video clips

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