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.
1950-1959
War in Korea
Air Force introduces the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force replacing the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force
Introduction of the Sabre
RAAF Roundel adopted
End of the biplane era
RAAF's first C-130 Hercules

Establishment of RAAF Base Edinburgh
South Australia has a proud history with military aviation in Australia, dating back to its earliest days with many South Australians playing key roles in the Australian Flying Corps in World War 1 and the development of the RAAF between the wars. Sir Richard Williams KBE CB DSO, the first military-trained pilot in Australia and the Air Force’s first Chief of the Air Staff (widely regarded as the ‘Father’ of the RAAF), was born and raised in Moonta SA. During World War II, South Australian RAAF bases at Port Pirie, Mt Gambier, Mallala and Victor Harbor trained thousands of airmen.
Establishment of RAAF Base Edinburgh
RAAF Base Edinburgh (Inc Woomera), South Australia
South Australia has a proud history with military aviation in Australia, dating back to its earliest days with many South Australians playing key roles in the Australian Flying Corps in World War 1 and the development of the RAAF between the wars. Sir Richard Williams KBE CB DSO, the first military-trained pilot in Australia and the Air Force’s first Chief of the Air Staff (widely regarded as the ‘Father’ of the RAAF), was born and raised in Moonta SA. During World War II, South Australian RAAF bases at Port Pirie, Mt Gambier, Mallala and Victor Harbor trained thousands of airmen.
The presence at Edinburgh dates back to World War II when the largest munitions plant in the Southern Hemisphere was established at Penfield, a small village to the south of the current base. From 1946 to the mid-1960s, several thousand Australians and British nationals were based at Penfield, Woomera and Mallala supporting weapons research and testing. In the early 1950s it was recognised that a more capable air base was required to support these activities and on 22 March 1954, RAAF Base Edinburgh was formally opened by His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
With the British concluding their research activities in the 1960s, 11 Squadron moved to RAAF Base Edinburgh from RAAF Townsville with its new P-3B Orion aircraft, starting a long relationship with South Australia. In 1975, 92 Wing was established, comprising both 11 Squadron and 10 Squadron, which relocated from RAAF Richmond to RAAF Edinburgh with its new P-3C Orion aircraft, 292 Training Squadron and 492 Maintenance Squadron. Since then, a variety of RAAF units have called Edinburgh home including intelligence, radar, electronic warfare, security, air operations support and flight test. From 1964 to 2008, RAAF Edinburgh was the home to Air Force recruit training with No 1 Recruit Training School.
Today, RAAF Base Edinburgh, along with Defence Science Technology Group, Edinburgh Parks and the Woomera Range Complex, is part of the Edinburgh Defence Precinct. Over 6,500 RAAF and Army personnel from 1Bde, Defence civilians and contractors work across the operationally focused joint Defence establishment, which has also become the Australian Defence Force’s major intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, and electronic warfare hub.
Over the next five years, RAAF Base Edinburgh will undergo continued development highlighting its ongoing importance. With infrastructure to support the recently-acquired P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft now completed, major construction projects will continue well into the next decade to support Army armoured fighting vehicles and planned Air Force capabilities including the MC-55A electronic warfare aircraft, MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft, and MQ-9 unmanned aircraft which will soon call Edinburgh home.
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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

Arrival of the P-8A Poseidon
The first P-8A Poseidon aircraft arrived in Canberra on this day.
Arrival of the P-8A Poseidon
The first P-8A Poseidon aircraft, an important part of Australia's future maritime patrol and response strategy, arrived in Canberra on this day. Based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, the P-8A aircraft has advanced sensors and mission systems, including a state-of-the-art multi-role radar, high definition cameras, and an acoustic system with four times the processing capacity of the AP-3C Orions.
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.
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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