Worlds MOST FEARED Royal Australian Air Force F-18 Aircraft
A great video of
Royal Australian Air Force F-18 aircraft arriving at
US Air force for the annual red flag exercise.
The Royal Australian Air Force (
RAAF), formed March
1921, is the aerial warfare branch of the
Australian Defence Force. It directly continues the traditions of the second oldest
Air Force in the world, the
Australian Flying Corps (
AFC), formed on
22 October 1912.[2] The RAAF provides support across a spectrum of operations such as air superiority, precision strikes, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, air mobility, and humanitarian support.
The RAAF has taken part in many of the
20th century's major conflicts. During the
Second World War a number of RAAF bomber, fighter, reconnaissance and other squadrons served initially in
Britain, and/or with the
Desert Air Force located in
North Africa and the
Mediterranean, while the majority were later primarily deployed in the
South West Pacific Area. Thousands of
Australians also served with other
Commonwealth air forces in
Europe.[3] 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.[4]
Later the RAAF served in the
Berlin Airlift,
Korean War,
Malayan Emergency,
Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation and
Vietnam War. More recently, the RAAF has participated in operations in
East Timor, the
Iraq War, the
War in Afghanistan, and the military intervention against
ISIL.
History[edit]
An
Australian F-35A arriving at
Luke AFB to begin pilot training
A Royal Australian Air Force
B-737 taxies at
Sydney Airport
A RAAF
C-130J departing
Point Cook
A
BAE Hawk 127 arriving at
Avalon Airport
Main article: History of the Royal Australian Air Force
Formation, 1912[edit]
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 first dominion to do so, by approving the establishment of the "
Australian Aviation Corps", which initially consisted of the
Central Flying School at
Point Cook, Victoria, on 22 October 1912.[5] By
1914 the corps was known as the "Australian Flying Corps".[6]
First World War[edit]
Main article: Australian Flying Corps
See also:
Military history of Australia during
World War I
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 was called upon to assist the
Indian Army in protecting
British oil interests in what is now
Iraq.[7]
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 the AFC, whilst another
200 men served as aircrew in the British flying services.[8]
Casualties included
175 dead,
111 wounded, 6 gassed and 40 captured.[9]
Inter-war period[edit]
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 the
Australian Air Corps (
AAC) 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.[10] When formed the RAAF had more aircraft than personnel, with 21 officers and 128 other ranks and 153 aircraft.[11]
Second World War[edit]
See also: Military history of Australia during
World War II
Europe and the Mediterranean[edit]
In September 1939, the RAAF's 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.[12]
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/or with 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.[3]