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.
1940-1949
Air Force Nursing service established
Formation of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force
Bombing of Darwin
Australia's first Indigenous fighter pilot
Introduction of helicopters to Air Force
Test flight from mainland Australian to edge of the Antarctic zone
A Lincoln A73-2 conducted a pioneering flight from RAAF Base Point Cook to the edge of the Antarctic zone.
Test flight from mainland Australian to edge of the Antarctic zone
Lincoln A73-2 from No 1 Air Performance Unit at Point Cook, Victoria, conducted a pioneering flight from mainland Australia to the edge of the Antarctic zone, collecting meteorological data and photographing Macquarie Island which lies 1466 kilometres south of Tasmania. The aircraft was airborne for 14 hours 35 minutes and completed the flight in deteriorating weather. This effort was seen as an essential precursor to the scientific voyages launched by the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) from December 1947.
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