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.
1970-1979
F-4E Phantom arrives
F-111C arrives at Amberley
Cyclone Tracy
Caribou hijacked
WRAAF disbanded - personnel join RAAF
Arrival of the first F-111C aircraft
The first six F-111Cs arrived at RAAF Base Amberley, ten years after 24 of these aircraft were ordered by the Australian Government to replace the Air Force’s ageing Canberra bombers.
Arrival of the first F-111C aircraft
The first six F-111Cs arrived at Air Force Base Amberley, ten years after 24 of these aircraft were ordered by the Australian Government to replace the Air Force’s ageing Canberra bombers. The Air Force now possessed what has been widely regarded as one of the world’s outstanding strike aircraft.
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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
Farewell to the F-111
The Air Force’s fleet of F-111 bombers was retired after 37 years as the mainstay of Australia’s long-range strike capability.
Farewell to the F-111
The Air Force’s fleet of General Dynamic's F-111 bombers was retired after 37 years as the mainstay of Australia’s long-range strike capability. A six ship formation overflew Brisbane and the Gold Coast before returning to mount a display over Amberley, while a solo aircraft performed a 'dump and burn' routine. A8-125 fittingly marked the end of the F-111 era as the last to touch down.
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