The origins of the Royal Australian Air Force extend back to the early days of aviation, and we have made important contributions to defence and peacekeeping initiatives across the globe ever since.
1960-1969
Introduction of the Caribou
Farewell Air Force’s Telstars
Introduction of the P-3B Orion
RAAF arrives in Vietnam
Introduction of the Caribou
Three DHC-4 Caribou Mk 1 light transports arrived at RAAF Base Richmond on delivery from the De Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada.
Introduction of the Caribou
Three DHC-4 Caribou Mk 1 light transports arrived at RAAF Base Richmond on delivery from the De Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada factory at Downsview in Toronto, Ontario. The Australian Government had placed an order for 18 of these aircraft in May 1963, the intention being to completely re-equip No 38 Squadron (then operating C-47/DC-3 Dakotas) by December 1964. A second consignment of three Caribous was similarly received in June, following a route across the Atlantic to Europe and through the Red Sea, but then the third and fourth batches were diverted to Vietnam instead. In September, seven more Caribous were ordered––six to enable the re-equipment program to continue, plus another to replace one wrecked in a landing accident in July. Eventually a total of 29 airframes of this type joined the RAAF.
Video & Images
RAAF arrives in Vietnam
Three DHC-4 Caribou Mk 1 transports arrived at Vung Tau, marking the start of an Air Force presence during the Vietnam War which would last until February 1972.
RAAF arrives in Vietnam
Three DHC-4 Caribou Mk 1 transports arrived at Vung Tau, a coastal city 60 kilometres south-east of the South Vietnamese capital, Saigon, marking the start of an Air Force presence during the Vietnam War which would last until February 1972. The aircraft were on their delivery flight from Canada when they were diverted at Butterworth, Malaysia, to equip RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam, a new unit brought into existence at Butterworth on 20 July.
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2000-2009
Air Force begins commitment to the Middle East Area of Operations
Major role in support of the aftermath of the Bali bombings and tsunamis
Operation SLIPPER
Air Vice-Marshal Julie Hammer - first female two star for Australian Defence Force
Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston, AK, AC, AFC, serves as the Chief of Defence Force
Farewell to the DHC-4 Caribou
The Air Force flew its last operation involving the DHC-4 Caribou light transport aircraft, 45 years after this type first entered service in Australia.
Farewell to the DHC-4 Caribou
The Air Force flew its last operation involving the DHC-4 Caribou light transport aircraft, 45 years after this type first entered service in Australia. The final flight was carried out by Caribou A4-140 from Richmond into Canberra, where the aircraft was handed over to the Australian War Memorial for preservation.
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