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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

Missing Dakota A65-81 is found
Display Date
13 May 1968

Introduction of P-3B Orion Aircraft

Australia’s initial order for ten P-3B Orions to equip No 11 Squadron for maritime patrol duties was delayed in 1968, not arriving until this day.

The RAAF's first Orion, shown here at the then annual RAAF Open Day, was handed over on 10 January 1968
13 May 1968

Introduction of P-3B Orion Aircraft

A new P-3B Orion awaiting delivery to the RAAF following acceptance from the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation factory was destroyed by fire after the undercarriage failed on landing at Moffett Naval Air Station. The aircraft was one of the first three of this type due to arrive in April, but the arrival date was deferred until 13 May. Australia’s order was initially for ten P-3B Orions to equip No 11 Squadron for maritime patrol duties. A second order for ten AP-3Cs re-equipped No 10 Squadron in 1978.

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The RAAF's first Orion, shown here at the then annual RAAF Open Day, was handed over on 10 January 1968
The RAAF's first Orion, shown here at the then annual RAAF Open Day, was handed over on 10 January 1968

1980-1989

New Air Force Ensign adopted

The first of our F/A-18 aircraft arrive

Helicopter operations handed to the Army 

Death of the Father of the Air Force – Sir Richard Williams KBE, CB, DSO

First female pilots

Paradrop during Exercise Distant Bridge
Display Date
21 Feb 1982

Operation Gateway

The crew of a RAAF P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft from No 10 Squadron commenced the first ‘prosecution’ of a Soviet Echo II class submarine transiting from the South China Sea through the Straits of Malacca to the Indian Ocean.

A Soviet Echo II submarine
21 Feb 1982

Operation Gateway

The crew of a RAAF P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft from No 10 Squadron commenced the first ‘prosecution’ of a Soviet Echo II class submarine transiting from the South China Sea through the Straits of Malacca to the Indian Ocean. Over the next five days Orion crews used radar and sonobuoys to detect, identify and track the submarine. The episode was the first of many conducted under Operation Gateway during the Cold War. In response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Detachment A of No 92 Wing (comprising up to three Orions with support staff) was stationed at Butterworth, Malaysia, from February 1981. The detachment began the regular monitoring of Soviet ships and submarines passing through the region, before moving into the more aggressive prosecution phase a year later. These patrols ended with the Cold War in 1989, whereupon Operation Gateway focused on maritime security.

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A Soviet Echo II submarine
A Soviet Echo II submarine
Display Date
16 Apr 1988

End of permanent presence of RAAF fighter units at Butterworth

The 30-year permanent presence of RAAF fighter units based at Butterworth, Malaysia, ended with a special ceremony.

1988 Butterworth farewell of permanent fighter aircraft
16 Apr 1988

End of permanent presence of RAAF fighter units at Butterworth

The 30-year permanent presence of RAAF fighter units based at Butterworth, Malaysia, ended with a special ceremony. In future, the Australian presence would comprise a detachment of P-3C Orions, an Army rifle company (changed over at three-month intervals), and regular rotational detachments of F/A-18 Hornets sent from Australia. The parade to mark the new arrangements was attended by Australia’s Defence Minister and the Secretary of the Department of Defence, along with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Ray Funnell; Malaysia was also represented by its Defence Minister and the Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. As RAAF and RMAF airmen paraded with their respective bands, there was a symbolic flypast of Mirages leading F/A-18, F-111 and P-3C aircraft. Spectators included six former Commanding Officers of Butterworth, from when it was a RAAF base before 1970, who were flown from Australia especially for the occasion. 

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1988 Butterworth farewell of permanent fighter aircraft
1988 Butterworth farewell of permanent fighter aircraft

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

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Display Date
28 Jan 2003

First mission under Operation Slipper

Air Force detachment of two AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft sent to the Middle East Area of Operations flies first mission of Operation Slipper.

An Airman marshalling in a P3-C Orion aircraft during Operation Slipper
28 Jan 2003

First mission under Operation Slipper

The Air Force detachment of two AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft sent to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) flew its first mission under Operation Slipper. Patrolling day and night ahead of the coalition invasion of Iraq , the aircraft contributed to the overall objective of achieving and maintaining sea control in the northern Persian Gulf. The superior intelligence from the Orions’ sensors provided coalition commanders with an accurate surveillance picture of surface activity, enabling potentially hostile shipping to be identified and challenged well away from allied warships. This marked the start of a commitment that flowed on into Operation Catalyst (the rehabilitation of Iraq following the overthrow of dictator Saddam Hussein) and would last for more than five years. In that time, the detachment also undertook overland reconnaissance as well as maritime patrols and oil terminal protection sorties.
 

 

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An Airman marshalling in a P3-C Orion aircraft during Operation Slipper
An Airman marshalling in a P3-C Orion aircraft during Operation Slipper

2010-2019

Air Force introduced new aircraft to the fleet to enhance capability  

Goodbye F-111 

First Indigenous elder of the RAAF 

General purpose uniforms (GPU)

Extensive humanitarian assistance by Air Force through disasters such as floods in Pakistan, MRH370 search, Bushfires and COVID-19 response

KC-30A MRTT and E-7A Wedgetail conduct Air to Air refuelling testing in the airspace near RAAF Williamtown
Display Date
01 Nov 2019

Heading to retirement of the AP-3C after 50 years of service

The Air Force began the draw down of the AP-3C Orion following the arrival of the P-8A Poseidon, after serving as Australia's primary Maritime Patrol aircraft.

Final washdown for the AP-3C before retirement
01 Nov 2019

Heading to retirement of the AP-3C after 50 years of service

The Air Force began the draw down of the  AP-3C Orion following the arrival of the P-8A Poseidon, after serving as Australia's primary Maritime Patrol aircraft. Initially P-3 patrols involved the regular monitoring of Soviet ship and submarine movements in South East Asia, however it soon involved the use of radar and sonar buoys to actively detect, identify and track submarines. After the Cold War, the P-3 patrols continued as new demands arose to stop piracy, smuggling and terrorists. 

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Final washdown for the AP-3C before retirement
Final washdown for the AP-3C before retirement
Air Force 2021
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