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  • 1920-1929
  • 1950-1959
  • 1960-1969
  • 1970-1979
  • 1980-1989
  • 1990-1999
  • 2000-2009
  • 2010-2019
  • 2020 - Present day

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.

1920-1929

Formation of the Australian Air Force

First Air Force Non Technical Training course 

First around Australia aerial survey flight

Aircraft production begins in Australia

 

Vickers Vimy leaving Point Cook
Display Date
13 Dec 1924

First RAAF air show

The first Air Force air show was held in Melbourne on the 13 December 1924.

Poster to promote Air Force’s first Air Show which was held at Flemington Race Course Melbourne Victoria
13 Dec 1924

First RAAF air show

The first Air Force air show, organised on instructions from the Minister for Defence, was held at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne for a paying crowd of 7000 people (and many more who watched from outside the ground). All the Air Force’s current types, except the Fairey IIID seaplane, were involved in displays of landing in confined areas, picking up and dropping messages, low-level bombing, formation flying, air drill, mock air combat, ammunition dropping, aerobatics and races.

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Poster to promote Air Force’s first Air Show which was held at Flemington Race Course Melbourne Victoria
First RAAF air show

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 

Sergeant Hale with his Meteor 'Halestorm'
Display Date
17 Sep 1952

Presentation of the Queen’s Colour

The Queen’s Colour was presented to the Air Force by the Minister for Air, Mr William McMahon, at a special parade held at Laverton

Queens Colour for the RAAF
17 Sep 1952

Presentation of the Queen’s Colour

The Queen’s Colour was presented to the Air Force by the Minister for Air, Mr William McMahon, at a special parade held at Laverton. The Royal Colour had not been presented in Australia before.  Although known as the “Queen’s” Colour, the colour actually bore the monogram of King George VI. This was because the colour was originally to have been presented during a royal visit to Australia that was planned for 1952, before the King died in February. It was the wish of Queen Elizabeth that her father’s colour should be presented in her name.

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Queens Colour for the RAAF
Queens Colour for the RAAF
Display Date
22 Mar 1954

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.

RAAF Base Edinburgh
22 Mar 1954

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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https://youtu.be/Z1pKG6aeJ3A
RAAF Base Edinburgh
RAAF Base Edinburgh
Display Date
09 Nov 1956

RAAF supports Olympic torch relay

The flame for the Games of the XVI Olympiad in Melbourne was carried on board a RAAF Canberra jet bomber from Darwin to Cairns, Queensland, which was the start point for a torch relay down the eastern coast of Australia.

The flame for the Games of the XVI Olympiad in Melbourne was carried on board a RAAF Canberra jet bomber from Darwin to Cairns, Queensland, which was the start point for a torch relay down the eastern coast of Australia.
09 Nov 1956

RAAF supports Olympic torch relay

The flame for the Games of the XVI Olympiad in Melbourne was carried on board a RAAF Canberra jet bomber from Darwin to Cairns, Queensland, which was the start point for a torch relay down the eastern coast of Australia. The flame, carried in two miners’ safety lamps (one a spare), had arrived from Greece on a Qantas airliner on the evening of 6 November and was handed to the Commanding Officer of the RAAF Station at Darwin for custody. After a civic reception next day, the flame was placed in a Canberra aircraft and flown nearly 1500 kilometres to Cairns, where it began a 4500-kilometre torch relay to Melbourne.

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The flame for the Games of the XVI Olympiad in Melbourne was carried on board a RAAF Canberra jet bomber from Darwin to Cairns, Queensland, which was the start point for a torch relay down the eastern coast of Australia.
The flame for the Games of the XVI Olympiad in Melbourne was carried on board a RAAF Canberra jet bomber from Darwin to Cairns, Queensland, which was the start point for a torch relay down the eastern coast of Australia.

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
18 May 1968

Final Telstars public performance

The ‘Telstars’ gave their final public performance of formation flying after five years as an official Air Force aerobatic team.

A Vampire four ship formation of Telsatar’s aerobatic team
18 May 1968

Final Telstars public performance

The ‘Telstars’ gave their final public performance of formation flying over Yallourn, Victoria, after five years as an official Air Force aerobatic team using Vampire Mk 35A jet trainers. Over the period December 1967 to January 1968, the team converted their sequences onto the Aermacchi MB-326H with which the Central Flying School was then re-equipping.

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A Vampire four ship formation of Telsatar’s aerobatic team
A Vampire four ship formation of Telsatar’s aerobatic team

1970-1979

 

F-4E Phantom arrives

F-111C arrives at Amberley

Cyclone Tracy

Caribou hijacked

WRAAF disbanded - personnel join RAAF

 

Caribou in Red Cross markings for service in Portugese Timor, 1975
Display Date
15 Mar 1973

Air Force Memorial

The Air Force Memorial constructed on Anzac Parade in Canberra was unveiled by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in his official role as Marshal of the Air Force.

Unveilling of the Air Force Memorial on ANZAC Parade Canberra
15 Mar 1973

Air Force Memorial

The Air Force Memorial, constructed on Anzac Parade in Canberra, was unveiled by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in his official role as Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force. The memorial pays tribute to the Air Force's history and was designed by Mrs Inge King and consists of stainless steel vertical wing shapes, symbolic of flight.

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Unveilling of the Air Force Memorial on ANZAC Parade Canberra
Unveilling of the Air Force Memorial on ANZAC Parade Canberra

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
05 Mar 1986

Queen's Colour

Her Majesty, The Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, presented a new Queens Colour for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Presentation of the Queen's colours
05 Mar 1986

Queen's Colour

Her Majesty, The Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, presented a new Queen's Colour for the Royal Australian Air Force during a parade at RAAF Base Richmond involving more than 900 members wearing the new pattern Air Force uniform. All the Colours, Standards and Banners of the Air Force were also paraded during the ceremony.

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Presentation of the Queen's colours
Presentation of the Queen's colours
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

1990-1999

.  

Air Force launches its first Hot Air Balloon

Peacekeeping Somalia

Introduction of the Warrant Officer of the Air Force

Bougainville conflict

East Timor independence

A Dassault Falcon 900 tri-jet
Display Date
05 Mar 1990

Hot Air Balloons Introduced

The Air Force’s first hot-air balloon made its maiden flight over Canberra.  Crew for the balloon is drawn from Reservists of No 28 Squadron (City of Canberra).

Air Force Balloon in flight over Parliament house, Canberra
05 Mar 1990

Hot Air Balloons Introduced

The Air Force’s first hot-air balloon made its maiden flight over Canberra.  Obtained in response to a growing number of requests for Air Force participation in public events, it allows members of the public to learn about the principles of flight. This balloon had an envelope capacity of 77,000 cubic feet. It was dark and light blue in four vertical sections with the Air Force Roundel on one side and the Air Force Crest on the other.

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Air Force Balloon in flight over Parliament house, Canberra
Air Force Balloon in flight over Parliament house, Canberra

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

tallil-return.png
Display Date
01 Oct 2000

Sydney Olympics

During the closing night ceremony for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, F-111s from No 6 Squadron ‘stole the show’ with a spectacular ‘dump and burn’ routine.

F-111 fly over during the Sydney Harbour Bridge during closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympics games in Sydney
01 Oct 2000

Sydney Olympics

During the closing night ceremony for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, held in Stadium Australia at Olympic Park, Homebush Bay, F-111s from No 6 Squadron ‘stole the show’ with a spectacular ‘dump and burn’ routine. This presented the illusion of the Olympic flame transcending the skies like a comet, to be reborn at the Games’ next location in Greece, in 2004.

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F-111 fly over during the Sydney Harbour Bridge during closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympics games in Sydney
F-111 fly over during the Sydney Harbour Bridge during closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympics games in Sydney
Display Date
17 Nov 2006

Transfer of C-130H Hercules transport aircraft

Transfer of C-130H Hercules transport aircraft operated by No 36 Squadron.

36SQN Badge
17 Nov 2006

Transfer of C-130H Hercules transport aircraft

A parade held at RAAF Base Richmond marked the transfer of C-130H Hercules transport aircraft operated by No 36 Squadron to No 37 Squadron operating the later J model variants of the C-130. The squadron was divesting itself of the Hercules in preparation for moving to RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland the next month and re-equipping with the first of four Boeing C-17A Globemaster transport aircraft. The occasion also saw Wing Commander Linda Corbould take over as Commanding Officer of 36 Squadron, making her the first female commander of any RAAF flying unit. She had specialised in transport operations since gaining her wings in 1990, and was now given the important task of overseeing the introduction into service of a new heavy lift capability not previously possessed by the RAAF.

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36SQN Badge
36SQN Badge

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
03 Dec 2010

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.

F-111 in flight conducting a “dump and burn”
03 Dec 2010

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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F-111 in flight conducting a “dump and burn”
F-111 in flight conducting a “dump and burn”
Display Date
04 Mar 2017

Pilatus PC-21 Pilot Training Aircraft displayed at Avalon

The Pilatus PC-21 is the world's most advanced pilot training aircraft and was displayed on this day at the Australian International Airshow, Avalon.

The Air Force Roulettes perform an aerial display in the Pilatus PC-21.
04 Mar 2017

Pilatus PC-21 Pilot Training Aircraft displayed at Avalon

The Pilatus PC-21 is the world's most advanced pilot training aircraft.

As part of the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System project, the PC-21 replaced Air Force's PC-9/A. It is based at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria and RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia.

Although the PC-21 is a key element of the AIR 5428 project, it is only one part of the story. The new Pilot Training System is able to train more people faster and to a higher standard, with an:

  • advanced aircraft
  • state of the art simulation, and
  • an electronic learning environment.

The system ensures undergraduate pilots develop the necessary knowledge and skills prior to progressing onto advanced military aircraft such as the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, and MRH-90 helicopter.

It is capable of sustained low-level speeds over 320 knots, and hydraulically assisted ailerons and roll spoilers can produce fighter-like rates of roll in excess of 200 degrees per second.

The capabilities of the PC-21 make it ideally suited to a very wide training scope. It can be used from day one in the training system, eliminating the need for an elementary flying training fleet, but also bridges the performance gap between traditional turboprop trainers and lead-in fighters.

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The Air Force Roulettes perform an aerial display in the Pilatus PC-21.
The Air Force Roulettes perform an aerial display in the Pilatus PC-21.

2020 - Present day

Display Date
31 Mar 2021

The Royal Australian Air Force Turns 100

This day marks the centenary of the formation of the Royal Australian Air Force. During the remaining months of 2021, events and initiatives will be undertaken to honour the sacrifices and service of the last 100 years, show today’s highly capable force, and foreshadow our future evolution. Air Force members will pause momentarily to reflect and commemorate this milestone before renewing their focus on delivering today’s Air Force and planning for the future.

Mosiac
31 Mar 2021

The Royal Australian Air Force Turns 100

This day marks the centenary of the formation of the Royal Australian Air Force. During the remaining months of 2021, events and initiatives will be undertaken to honour the sacrifices and service of the last 100 years, show today’s highly capable force, and foreshadow our future evolution. Air Force members will pause momentarily to reflect and commemorate this milestone before renewing their focus to deliver an agile and capable Air Force that is an integral element of the Australian Defence Force’s Joint Force. 

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Mosiac
Mosiac
Air Force 2021
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