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.
1930-1939
Formation of the Wireless section
Proclamation of Cape Bruce, Antarctica
Introduction of the Wirraway aircraft
PM announces expeditionary forces to assist RAF
RAAF supports formal proclamation of Cape Bruce as a territorial possession of Australia
Hoisting of the Air Force Ensign during a ceremony conducted on Cape Bruce, Antarctica.
RAAF supports formal proclamation of Cape Bruce as a territorial possession of Australia
Flight Lieutenant Stuart Campbell, the senior Air Force pilot accompanying the second British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE), hoisted the Air Force Ensign during a ceremony conducted on Cape Bruce at which BANZARE’s discoveries were formally proclaimed as territorial possessions of Australia.
Video & Images
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.
Video & Images
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
C-17A Globemaster III trial flight to Antarctica
A RAAF C-17A Globemaster III undertook a trial flight to Antarctica on this day, as part of plans to explore the use of the aircraft in delivering cargo for the Australian Antarctic Division.
C-17A Globemaster III trial flight to Antarctica
A RAAF C-17A Globemaster III undertook a trial flight to Antarctica on this day, as part of plans to explore the use of the aircraft in delivering cargo for the Australian Antarctic Division. This led to a successful joint operational mission with the Australian Antarctic Division and Royal Australian Air Force to East Antarctica later in November, with a C-17A delivering heavy lift cargo to Wilkins Aerodrome in support of the Australian Antarctic programme. The C-17A flew the 3450km, landing at Wilkins Aerodrome near Casey station on 21 November 2015 where it unloaded cargo, including a brand new Hägglunds, a dual cab vehicle that operates over snow and infrastructure building materials.
Video & Images
