Home About us History Our Journey Our Journey Keywords Type - Any -Aircraft & technologyBase establishmentCapabililty development & researchHonours & recognitionHumanitarian Assistance and Disaster ReliefLeadershipOperations & missions-Korean War-Peacekeeping-Vietnam War-World War 2Public Engagement and CeremoniesRAAF Brand & uniformRAAF FirstsRAAF Formation Base - Any -RAAF Base AmberleyRAAF Base ButterworthRAAF Base CurtinRAAF Base DarwinRAAF Base East SaleRAAF Base EdinburghRAAF Base GlenbrookRAAF Base LearmonthRAAF Base PearceRAAF Base Point CookRAAF Base RichmondRAAF Base SchergerRAAF Base TindalRAAF Base TownsvilleRAAF Base WaggaRAAF Base WilliamsRAAF Base WilliamtownRussell Offices CanberraWoomera Range Complex 1920-1929 Establishment of Point Cook 31 March 1921 RAAF Point Cook is located on the shores of Port Phillip Bay, 20 kilometres south west of the Melbourne central… The Australian Air Force (AAF) is formed 31 March 1921 The formation of the Australian Air Force was announced in the Australian Government Gazette on 31 March 1921. Later… First Air Force non-technical training course graduates 10 January 1922 Around 240 Officers and Airmen complete three months of training. Aircraft production begins in Australia with the Avro 504K 15 June 1922 Avro 504K trainer became the first aircraft built in Australia for the RAAF. Opening of the RAAF Experimental Section 14 January 1924 Experimental aircraft design and testing section of the Royal Australian Air Force. First round Australia aerial survey flight 19 May 1924 First round Australia aerial survey flight by Air Force’s acting Chief of the Air Staff, Wing Commander S.J. (‘Jimmy… First RAAF air show 13 December 1924 The first Air Force air show was held in Melbourne on the 13 December 1924. Citizen Air Force becomes part of the RAAF 19 June 1925 The Citizen Air Force became part of the Air Force with the appointment of the first 18 pilots to the General Duties… Establishment of RAAF Base Richmond 1 July 1925 RAAF Base Richmond lies approximately 50 kilometres north-west of Sydney, and is situated between the towns of… Establishment of RAAF Base Williams - Laverton 1 March 1926 RAAF Base Williams - Laverton is located beside the Princes Highway next to the Laverton railway station, Victoria,… First freefall parachute jump in Australia 26 May 1926 The first freefall parachute in Australia. Air Force Cross awarded to Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm 15 June 1928 Charles Kingsford Smith crosses the Pacific Ocean. 1930-1939 First emergency parachute landing by the Air Force 15 May 1930 The first Air Force member to save their life in a mid-air emergency by using a parachute. Aerial surveying of New South Wales-Victoria border 15 September 1930 Aerial photography of the New South Wales-Victoria border area around Albury. RAAF supports formal proclamation of Cape Bruce as a territorial possession of Australia 18 February 1931 Hoisting of the Air Force Ensign during a ceremony conducted on Cape Bruce, Antarctica. Formation of the Wireless Section into the Air Force Reserve 1 August 1933 Wireless Section of the Air Force Reserve. Formation of Nos 21 and 22 Squadrons 20 April 1936 Formation of Nos 21 and 22 Squadrons. Introduction of the NA-16-1A aircraft 3 September 1937 Introduction of the NA-16-1A aircraft and its maiden flight in Australia at Laverton. Although only an advanced… Establishment of RAAF Base Pearce 10 March 1938 RAAF Base Pearce was officially granted station status on 6 February 1939 and is located in the suburb of Bullsbrook… Prime Minister announces expeditionary forces to assist RAF 20 September 1939 Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced to Parliament that Australia was offering the British Government an… Formal approval of the new Air Force Badge 20 October 1939 Formal approval of the new Air Force Badge. 10 Squadron first British Dominion Squadron on active service 27 November 1939 No 10 Squadron undertakes active service. Empire Air Training Scheme participation 17 December 1939 RAAF participates in Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) during World War II. 1940-1949 First Lockheed Hudson aircraft received by the RAAF from the United States 26 January 1940 The first Lockheed Hudson was received by the RAAF on 26th January 1940. The Hudson was an American civilian… Establishment of RAAF Base Darwin 1 June 1940 Formed in June 1940, RAAF Base Darwin was very rapidly at the front line of Australia's defences at the outbreak of… Establishment of RAAF Base Amberley 17 June 1940 RAAF Base Amberley commenced operations on 17 June 1940 with its initial role being a centre for flying training and… The Air Force Nursing Service established 26 July 1940 The Air Force Nursing Service is formed, giving RAAF its own nursing capability. Establishment of RAAF Base Wagga Wagga 31 July 1940 The origins of the Base are traced back to May 1939 when Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced that Forest Hill… Battle of Britain ace P.C. Hughes killed in action 7 September 1940 Roughly halfway through the four-month period designated as the Battle of Britain, Flight Lieutenant P.C. (‘Pat’)… Establishment of RAAF Base Townsville 15 October 1940 In 1939, Townsville City Council transferred the city airport to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). RAAF Base… No 3 Squadron’s first combat role of WWII 19 November 1940 Air Force’s No 3 Squadron had its first taste of combat. The War Cabinet approved the Cadet Corps formation as part of the RAAF Reserve 1 February 1941 The War Cabinet approved the formation of the Cadet Corps as part of the RAAF Reserve on 1 February 1941. Commanded… Establishment of RAAF Base Williamtown 15 February 1941 RAAF Base Williamtown is strategically positioned to the North of Newcastle in the Port Stephens area. The history… Formation of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force 25 February 1941 The Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) is raised. Northern Territory Specialist Reconnaissance Unit established 11 June 1941 Flight Lieutenant Donald Thomson argued for utilising the Aboriginal population of the Northern Territory for defence… First Australian aircraft attack on Nazi Germany 29 August 1941 On this night, a single Handley Page Hampden bomber from No 455 Squadron, RAAF, took off from Swinderby in… Beginning of Japanese invasion of Malaya 8 December 1941 Japanese forces commenced an amphibious invasion of northern Malaya. Orders to raise the Volunteer Air Observers Corps issued 22 December 1941 Orders for raising the Volunteer Air Observers Corps (VAOC) were given by the Air Board today, with formal War… Longest WWII sea reconnaissance mission undertaken by RAAF land-based aircraft 9 January 1942 A Lockheed Hudson Mk IV bomber flew 2260 kilometres to carry out an armed photographic reconnaissance of Japanese… Bombing of Darwin 19 February 1942 In two attacks this day, Japanese aircraft caused widespread destruction to the port of Darwin, including the town’s… Arrival of No 75 Squadron at Port Moresby 21 March 1942 No 75 Squadron – formed at Townsville, Queensland, only 17 days earlier—arrived at Port Moresby. Japanese aircraft… Sydney under attack 29 May 1942 A Japanese ‘Glen’ single-engine floatplane was flown to reconnoitre the naval anchorages in Sydney prior to a midget… Bomber Command launches first thousand-bomber raid against Germany 30 May 1942 Eighteen Wellingtons from No 460 Squadron participate in the first thousand-bomber raid against Germany. End of the Battle for Milne Bay 7 September 1942 No 100 Squadron mounted the first RAAF torpedo bomber attack of World War II. Formation of No 1 Security Guards Unit (No 1 Security Forces Squadron) 1 October 1942 Motto: First to Defend No 1 Security Forces Squadron forms part of No 95 Wing of the Combat Support Group.… Enemy aircraft shot down on Australian soil at night 23 November 1942 Wing Commander Richard (‘Dick’) Cresswell, the 22-year-old Commanding Officer of No 77 Squadron shot down a Japanese… Flight Sergeant Rawdon (‘Ron’) Middleton VC 29 November 1942 First serving member of the Royal Australian Air Force to earn a Victoria Cross - Flight Sergeant Rawdon (‘Ron’)… No 44 (Radio) Wing was formed 14 December 1942 Motto: Steadfastness No 44 (Radio) Wing was formed at Adelaide River, Northern Territory on 14 December 1942. It… No 41 (Radio Direction Finding) Wing was formed 16 February 1943 Motto: Pass not Unseen Battle Honours: Moresby 1943, New Britain 1943, Pacific 1943-44, Markham Valley 1943-44,… Battle of the Bismarck Sea 3 March 1943 The Battle of the Bismarck Sea, took place on Australia’s doorstep from 2 to 4 March 1943. It was a defining battle… Flight Lieutenant William (‘Bill’) Newton VC 18 March 1943 Victoria Cross awarded to Flight Lieutenant William (‘Bill’) Newton, the only RAAF VC of the Pacific War. Establishment of RAAF Base East Sale 22 April 1943 RAAF Base East Sale, is located 220 kilometres south east of Melbourne in Victoria’s Gippsland region on the… Operation Chastise 17 May 1943 Operation Chastise was an attack on German dams carried out on 16–17 May 1943 by Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron,… Pilot Officer David Paul DFC 28 March 1944 Pilot Officer David Paul DFC, an Indigenous Australian pilot serving in North Africa, was awarded the Distinguished… D-Day 6 June 1944 When Allied forces invaded France under Operation Overlord, seven squadrons regarded as ‘Australian’ under Article XV… Australia's first Aboriginal fighter pilot 14 November 1944 Warrant Officer Len Waters, Australia's first Aboriginal fighter pilot. Air Force reaches its highest strength during World War II 29 November 1944 The Air Force attained its highest strength during World War II of almost 184,000 personnel (165,365 males in the… No 2 Airfield Defence Squadron was formed (No 2 Security Forces Squadron) 10 May 1945 Motto: Defend the Eyrie Battle Honours: Pacific 1945, Borneo 1945, Morotai, East Timor 1999-2000 No 2 Airfield… Surrender of Japan 2 September 1945 RAAF represented at Japanese surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri at Tokyo Bay. First test flight of a jet aircraft in Australia 5 June 1946 Squadron Leader Derek (‘Jell’) Cuming flies an ex-RAF Meteor F.3 at RAAF Base Laverton. Gloster Meteor brought on charge with the RAAF 7 June 1946 On 15 May 1941, the experimental Gloster E.28/39 made the first flight by a British jet-propelled aircraft. The… Test flight from mainland Australian to edge of the Antarctic zone 15 March 1947 A Lincoln A73-2 conducted a pioneering flight from RAAF Base Point Cook to the edge of the Antarctic zone. Introduction of helicopters into the Air Force 9 October 1947 The Air Force entered the helicopter age when its first rotary wing aircraft, a Sikorsky S-51 Dragonfly, was test-… Beginning of the Apprenticeship Scheme 2 February 1948 The first group of 53 youths selected for engineering training under the Air Force’s new apprenticeship scheme… Opening of RAAF College at RAAF Base Point Cook 25 February 1948 RAAF Point Cook is located on the shores of Port Phillip Bay, 20 kilometres south west of the Melbourne central… Air Force Ensign 13 July 1948 A new national Ensign for the Air Force was adopted. Ensign raised for the first time at Anglesea Barracks 12 September 1949 In 1811, Governor Macquarie ordered the construction of a barracks on a site subsequently called Barracks Hill in Van… 1950-1959 Establishment of RAAF Base Glenbrook 10 February 1950 RAAF Base Glenbrook is the home of Headquarters Air Command, approximately 60 kilometres west of Sydney in the lower… Beginning of Korean War 23 June 1950 Two Australians—Major Stuart Peach and Squadron Leader Ronald Rankin completed a two-week visit along the 38th… Air Force’s first operation of the Korean War 2 July 1950 Air Force’s No 77 Squadron, based at Iwakuni, Japan, was directed to join in the fighting as part of the response by… Commanding Officer of No 77 Squadron killed in action 9 September 1950 Wing Commander Lou Spence, Commanding Officer of No 77 Squadron, was killed in action during attack on storage… Women’s Royal Australian Air Force 30 January 1951 Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) commences recruit training. No 77 Squadron begins conversion to Gloster Meteor jets 7 April 1951 On 7 April 1951 No 77 Squadron was withdrawn from Korea to Iwakuni, Japan, to begin replacing its propeller-driven… No 77 Squadron enters into active operational duties equipped with jet aircraft 29 July 1951 When No 77 Squadron entered the Korean War, it was operating propeller-driven Mustang aircraft, which soon proved to… First use of Martin Baker ejector seat in combat 29 August 1951 When Warrant Officer Ron Guthrie was forced to abandon his Meteor jet fighter over Korea on this day, it was the… Only confirmed RAAF victory over MiG-15 in the Korean War 8 May 1952 Pilot Officer W.H. (‘Bill’) Simmonds scored the only fully confirmed RAAF victory over a Communist MiG-15 in the… Presentation of the Queen’s Colour 17 September 1952 The Queen’s Colour was presented to the Air Force by the Minister for Air, Mr William McMahon, at a special parade… Last air to air combat involving the RAAF 27 March 1953 Two Gloster Meteor Mk8 jets of No 77 Squadron engaged three enemy MiG-15 near Sinmak. The first Australian English Electric Canberra flew at Avalon (Vic) 29 May 1953 The Canberra formed part of the ‘golden era’ for Australian aviation manufacturing companies. Government Aircraft… An armistice was signed bringing an end to the Korean War 27 July 1953 “I wasn’t new to operational command nor to the ground attack role except this war in Korea was a very different, and… Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visits Australia 3 February 1954 On 3 February 1954, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Australia as part of their… Establishment of RAAF Base Edinburgh 22 March 1954 South Australia has a proud history with military aviation in Australia, dating back to its earliest days with many… Introduction of the Sabre Aircraft 30 August 1954 Rollout of the Sabre aircraft from the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation. Commencement of Butterworth airfield upgrades 8 July 1955 An advance part from No 2 Airfield Construction Squadron (2ACS) arrived at Butterworth, on the north-west coast of… Royal Australian Air Force Roundel Adopted 2 July 1956 The Minister for Air approved the adoption of a new Air Force roundel which featured the ‘kangaroo in motion’ in the… RAAF supports Olympic torch relay 9 November 1956 The flame for the Games of the XVI Olympiad in Melbourne was carried on board a RAAF Canberra jet bomber from Darwin… End of the biplane era 9 January 1957 The last ten De Havilland Tiger Moth biplane trainers in service with the RAAF were flown in a group from Point Cook… First around the world flight by the RAAF 4 April 1957 Three Neptune maritime patrol aircraft from No 11 Squadron arrived back at Richmond, New South Wales, after… First Squadron Standards awarded to RAAF units 15 January 1958 Three squadrons were presented with the first Squadron Standards awarded to any Royal Australian Air Force units. First RAAF jet bomber strike during the Malayan Emergency 3 September 1958 Canberra aircraft of No 2 Squadron made the RAAF’s first jet bomber strike on this day, carrying out an Operation… C-130A Hercules Touches Down at Richmond 13 December 1958 The first C-130A Hercules touched down at Richmond airbase on delivery from the United States, beginning a new era in… Final operational missions of the Malayan Emergency 13 August 1959 The RAAF’s two squadrons of Sabre jet fighters at Butterworth airbase in Malaya were both used on an Operation… 1960-1969 Department of Air – Russell Hill 17 October 1960 The Department of Air began to occupy permanent offices at the Russell Hill Defence precinct in Canberra. Establishment of RAAF Base Fairbairn 19 March 1962 Headquarters RAAF Station Canberra ceased to function on 31 May 1952 and Headquarters RAAF Canberra was formed the… First flight of the Mirage 1 March 1963 Selected to replace the Avon Sabre as the RAAF's fighter aircraft in 1960, the Mirage was the first aircraft in RAAF… Introduction of the Caribou 22 April 1964 Three DHC-4 Caribou Mk 1 light transports arrived at RAAF Base Richmond on delivery from the De Havilland Aircraft… RAAF arrives in Vietnam 8 August 1964 Three DHC-4 Caribou Mk 1 transports arrived at Vung Tau, marking the start of an Air Force presence during the… Sir Frederick Scherger appointed first Air Chief Marshal 25 March 1965 Air Marshal Sir Frederick Scherger became the first Australian airman appointed to Air Chief Marshal as Chairman of… Operation Trimdon 29 April 1965 When the Australian Government announced its decision to commit an infantry battalion for ground combat service in… No 1 Combat Communications Squadron was first formed as the Air Transportable Telecommunications Unit 20 September 1965 Motto: Adroit No 1 Combat Communications Squadron was first formed on 20 September 1965 as the Air Transportable… Arrival of No 9 Squadron in Vietnam 12 June 1966 On 12 June 1966 No 9 Squadron arrived at Vung Tau, Vietnam. The Squadron was equipped with UH-1 Iroquois helicopters… Base Support Facilities – Saigon, South Vietnam 12 June 1966 The main party of Base Support Flight departed from Sydney and proceeded to Saigon via Manila, to provide the… Battle of Long Tan 18 August 1966 Australian infantry heavily engaged in the Long Tan rubber plantation near the Australian base at Nui Dat, South… First medical evacuation direct to Australia from Vietnam 27 February 1967 First medical evacuation flight direct to Australia from Vietnam. Aermacchi MB-326H brought on charge with the RAAF 3 October 1967 The RAAF received its first Aermacchi MB-326H (Macchi) in October 1967. The aircraft were selected by the RAAF as… Conspicuous Gallantry Medal recipient – Corporal John Coughlan 3 October 1967 A crewman with No 9 Squadron in Vietnam, Corporal John Coughlan, volunteered to be winched down to provide assistance… Siege of Khe Sanh 21 January 1968 On the morning of 21 January 1968 People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) forces made their first attacks on the United Sates… Introduction of P-3B Orion Aircraft 13 May 1968 Australia’s initial order for ten P-3B Orions to equip No 11 Squadron for maritime patrol duties was delayed in 1968… Final Telstars public performance 18 May 1968 The ‘Telstars’ gave their final public performance of formation flying after five years as an official Air Force… Handover of Sabre Mk 32 aircraft 1 October 1969 Ten Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Sabre Mk 32s were officially handed over to the Royal Malaysian Air Force. 1970-1979 First Military Medal awarded to RAAF member since World War II 11 February 1970 In the early hours of 11 February, an eight-man section of RAAF Airfield Defence Guards on listening patrol outside… No 4 Forward Air Control Flight formed 1 April 1970 On this day No 4 Forward Air Control Flight was formed as an independent unit at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South… Air Force takes delivery of F-4E Phantom Aircraft 14 September 1970 The first five of 24 F-4E Phantom aircraft, arrived at RAAF Base Amberley. Integrated Air Defence System formed 11 February 1971 The Headquarters of the Integrated Air Defence System (IADS) was formed at Butterworth, Malaysia, to provide for the… Surface to Air missile downs RAAF aircraft 14 May 1971 Canberra bomber A84-228 belonging to the RAAF’s No 2 Squadron was preparing to bomb a target 80 kilometres west of… Last Bombing Mission of Vietnam War 31 May 1971 No 2 Squadron flew its final Canberra bombing missions of the Vietnam War before withdrawing from its base at Phan… Air Force Memorial 15 March 1973 The Air Force Memorial constructed on Anzac Parade in Canberra was unveiled by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of… Arrival of the first F-111C aircraft 1 June 1973 The first six F-111Cs arrived at RAAF Base Amberley, ten years after 24 of these aircraft were ordered by the… Cyclone Tracy’s destruction of Darwin 25 December 1974 After Darwin was devastated by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve of 1974, the RAAF led the effort to go to the city’s… Humanitarian relief in Vietnam 30 March 1975 A C-130 (A97-160) took off from RAAF Base Butterworth, Malaysia, bound for Saigon to join an international relief… Evacuation of Saigon 25 April 1975 Three Hercules transports that were previously used to fly humanitarian relief missions around South Vietnam, to… United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in Sinai 10 June 1976 A 16-man forward party left Canberra to prepare for the arrival at Ismailia, Egypt, of the air unit committed by… Hijacking of an Air Force DHC-4 Caribou 4 September 1976 After civil war erupted in Portuguese Timor (East Timor) in August 1975, a DHC-4 Caribou (A4-140) was sent from No 38… Women’s Royal Australian Air Force disbanded 1 May 1977 The disbanding the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) as a separate entity saw its personnel transferred to… United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt 26 July 1979 A unit known as AUSTAIR, which Australia contributed to the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in Egypt, flew its… 1980-1989 Death of the “Father of the Air Force” 7 February 1980 Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams KBE, CB, DSO, “Father of the Air Force” died, at the age of 89. His 25 year career… Air Force Ensign 23 November 1981 The first example of a new ensign featuring the Air Forces ‘leaping kangaroo’ roundel in place of the RAF cockade… Operation Gateway 21 February 1982 The crew of a RAAF P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft from No 10 Squadron commenced the first ‘prosecution’ of a… RAAF Helicopters in the Sinai as the Rotary Wing Aviation Unit (RWAU) 24 March 1982 The MFO (Multinational Force & Observers Sinai) was formed to monitor arrangements for the return of Egyptian… Arrival of first F/A-18 Hornet Aircraft 17 May 1985 The first two F/A-18 Hornets landed at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, on completion of their delivery flight… Queen's Colour 5 March 1986 Her Majesty, The Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, presented a new Queens Colour for the Royal Australian Air Force. RAAF Security and Fire School was renamed from the Defence and Security Training School 1 January 1987 Motto: Security through training The RAAF Security and Fire School, formerly known as the Defence and Security… End of permanent presence of RAAF fighter units at Butterworth 16 April 1988 The 30-year permanent presence of RAAF fighter units based at Butterworth, Malaysia, ended with a special ceremony. Opening of RAAF Base Curtin 11 June 1988 RAAF Base Curtin is a joint use military air base and civil airport located on the north coast of Western Australia… First Female Pilots 30 June 1988 Flight Lieutenant Robyn Williams and Officer Cadet Deborah Hicks became the Air Force’s first female pilots. Establishment of RAAF Base Tindal 31 March 1989 RAAF Base Tindal is located 15 kilometres outside Katherine in the Northern Territory and 320 kilometres by road… Withdrawal of the CH-47C Chinook 30 June 1989 The Air Force’s No 12 Squadron at Amberley was disbanded, and the fleet of Boeing CH-47C Chinook medium lift… 1990-1999 Hot Air Balloons Introduced 5 March 1990 The Air Force’s first hot-air balloon made its maiden flight over Canberra. Crew for the balloon is drawn from… Gulf War Hostage Relief 6 September 1990 A Dassault Falcon 900 tri-jet VIP transport from No 34 Squadron was used to fly home Australians who had become… United Nations Transitional Authority - Cambodia 11 May 1992 A 30-strong Movement Control Group (MCG) from the Australian Defence Force, including seven Air Force members, joined… Peacekeeping – Mogadishu, Somalia 28 October 1992 The first 11 personnel of a 30-strong Movement Control Unit supplied from the Australian Defence Force (including… Female Combat Roles 18 December 1992 The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Gordon Bilney, announced in Parliament that the Government had… Warrant Officer of the Air Force 15 February 1993 The position of ‘Warrant Officer of the Air Force’ was instituted with the appointment of Warrant Officer Richard (‘… Cessna A-37B Dragonfly VH-XVA was first registered in Australia 15 June 1994 The Cessna A-37B Dragonfly is an American built aircraft. The initial use of the Dragonfly was for training, however… Evacuation of Australians from Phnom Penh 11 July 1997 After a coup in Cambodia created a volatile and uncertain security situation, C-130 Hercules transports from No 36… Bougainville Conflict 29 September 1997 An Air Force C-130 Hercules transport landed at Buka, on the first step towards bringing together the opposing… Persian Gulf Conflict 23 February 1998 Air Commodore Alan Titheridge announced as commander of an ADF contingent deployed to Kuwait in anticipation of… Establishment of RAAF Base Scherger 5 August 1998 RAAF Base Scherger opened near Weipa, Queensland. Built on the 'bare base' principle it was the latest addition to a… Air Force Blue Uniform 2 December 1998 The Chief of Air Force Advisory Committee approved the introduction of a new-look Service Dress uniform for Air Force… East Timor Independence 6 September 1999 The Air Force responded to a United Nations request and began evacuating non-essential UN personnel and foreign… A97-464 is the first C-130J-30 to be handed over to the RAAF 7 September 1999 The introduction of the C-130 Hercules into the RAAF greatly increased the capability to transport cargo and people… 2000-2009 Maiden test flight of the RAAF’s Hawk 127 at RAAF Base Williamtown 12 May 2000 In the early 1970s the RAAF began its search for an aircraft type to replace the Macchi MB326H jet trainer. The BAE… Sydney Olympics 1 October 2000 During the closing night ceremony for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, F-111s from No 6 Squadron ‘stole the show’ with… No 96 Wing first formed as No 396 Combat Support Wing 20 November 2000 Motto: Steadfast in Support No 96 Wing was first formed as No 396 Combat Support Wing on 20 November 2000 at RAAF… Combat Air Patrol 9 November 2001 Four F/A-18 Hornets and 70 personnel from No 77 Squadron departed Williamtown, NSW, for the tiny Indian Ocean island… Health Services Wing was formed 21 December 2001 Motto: Compassion Skill Courage The Health Services Wing was formed under the command of GPCAPT Amanda Dines on 21… RAAF personnel deployed to international coalition based in Kyrgyzstan 27 March 2002 The first detachment of about 70 personnel from No 84 Wing arrived at Manas airport outside Bishkek as part of the… Bali Bombing 13 October 2002 A day after terrorists detonated bombs in two tourist bars on the Indonesian island of Bali, Air Force was at the… Last Combat Mission of Iraq War 27 April 2003 No 75 Squadron, which the Air Force contributed to the operation to overthrow Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, flew its… Baghdad International Airport 3 May 2003 An air traffic control detachment of nearly 60 Air Force personnel provides air traffic services at Baghdad… First Female Two-Star Ranking Air Force Officer 11 August 2003 When Air Commodore Julie Hammer was promoted to Air Vice-Marshal, she became the first woman to achieve two-star rank… Australia’s first Wedgetail (A30-001) completed its maiden flight in the United States (US civil registration N378BC) 20 May 2004 The Boeing E-7A Wedgetail was Australia’s solution for an Airborne Early Warning and Control system. It provides an… The Australian Government signed a contract to convert five Airbus A330 airframes for the RAAF 20 December 2004 The RAAF’s first air-to-air refuelling aircraft, the converted Boeing 707s transport aircraft, were scheduled to be… Indonesian Tsunami 28 December 2004 Indian Ocean countries devastated by a tsunami. Air Force C-130H transports from No 36 Squadron touch down at Medan… Air Chief Marshal A.G. Houston appointed Chief of Defence 4 June 2005 Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal A.G. (Angus) Houston was promoted to Air Chief Marshal and appointed Chief of the… Transfer of C-130H Hercules transport aircraft 17 November 2006 Transfer of C-130H Hercules transport aircraft operated by No 36 Squadron. Australia’s first C-17A Globemaster arrived at RAAF Base Amberley 6 December 2006 In 2005 the Defence White Paper highlighted the need for a heavy lift transport option for the RAAF. In 2006 the… Construction of Bradshaw Field Training Area 29 May 2007 New airfield officially opened on the Bradshaw Field Training Area in the Northern Territory. Air Force Control and Reporting Centre - Kandahar 5 August 2007 A Control and Reporting Centre established at Kandahar Airfield took over the management of an assigned area of… Farewell of Boeing 707 30 June 2008 The last of the Air Force’s fleet of six Boeing 707 transports made its farewell flight over Sydney. New Age of Unmanned Aerial System 9 August 2009 The Air Force became an operator of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) when a detachment at Kandahar, Afghanistan,… Introduction of the Wedgetail 26 November 2009 No 2 Squadron took delivery of the first two Boeing Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft… Farewell to the DHC-4 Caribou 27 November 2009 The Air Force flew its last operation involving the DHC-4 Caribou light transport aircraft, 45 years after this type… 2010-2019 First of the F/A-18 Super Hornet – Rhino’s Arrival 26 March 2010 The first five of 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet (Rhino) aircraft on order for the Air Force arrived at the RAAF Base… Operation Pakistan Assist II 24 August 2010 The first contingent of the 92 Air Force personnel deploying under Operation Pakistan Assist II flew into Multan in… Farewell to the F-111 3 December 2010 The Air Force’s fleet of F-111 bombers was retired after 37 years as the mainstay of Australia’s long-range strike… RAAF assistance following 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami 14 March 2011 A C-17A Globemaster from No 36 Squadron arrived in Japan to help with urban search and rescue work following a… Delivery of KC-30A 1 June 2011 The Air Force took delivery of the first of a planned total of five Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport… Minister for Defence, the Honourable Stephen Smith, announced the acquisition of ten C-27J Spartans 10 May 2012 In 2012 the Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan was announced as the next Australian ‘battlefield airlifter’. The first… Air Force’s First Indigenous Elder 3 August 2012 Former Air Force Warrant Officer Harold Allie accepted an invitation from Air Marshal Geoff Brown to become the first… Introduction of the General Purpose Uniform 1 March 2014 The new uniform known as the General Purpose Uniform, was worn for the first time in public replacing the Disruptive… Search for MH370 18 March 2014 On 18 March RAAF Base Pearce was notified it would provide basing and support to a multi-national search. Humanitarian air drop in Northern Iraq 13 August 2014 A C-130J Hercules aircraft of No 37 Squadron completed one of the most complex humanitarian air drop mission… Operation OKRA 21 September 2014 Deployment of F/A-18F Super Hornets, KC-30A, E-7A Wedgetail and Air Force personnel to Middle East to form the Air… Cyclone Pam disaster relief 15 March 2015 In response to Cyclone Pam striking Vanuatu over 13-14 March 2015, RAAF C-17 and C-130J aircraft from Nos 36 and 37… A new era in flying technology 17 March 2015 Air Force’s first F-35A Joint Strike Fighter pilot, Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson, made his maiden flight in the… Operation Nepal Assist 28 April 2015 Following a devastating earthquake on April 25th 2015, the Australian Defence Force delivered over 13 tonnes of… No 65 Squadron was formed 1 July 2015 Motto: Without Impediment No 65 Squadron was formed on 1 July 2015 under the command of WGCDR Justin Cockroft. It… C-17A Globemaster III trial flight to Antarctica 5 November 2015 A RAAF C-17A Globemaster III undertook a trial flight to Antarctica on this day, as part of plans to explore the use… Arrival of the P-8A Poseidon 16 November 2016 The first P-8A Poseidon aircraft arrived in Canberra on this day. Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies, welcomed the arrival of the Growler at the 2017 Avalon International Airshow 28 February 2017 The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an ‘Airborne Electronic Attack’ aircraft. In this role, the Growler has systems to… Pilatus PC-21 Pilot Training Aircraft displayed at Avalon 4 March 2017 The Pilatus PC-21 is the world's most advanced pilot training aircraft and was displayed on this day at the… First six RAAF PC-21 were welcomed at East Sale 11 August 2017 The first six Pilatus PC-21 aircraft for the RAAF were welcomed at East Sale on 11 August 2017. The last of the forty… Return of Aircraft from Operation Okra 22 December 2017 The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, announced the return of Australia’s six F/A-18F Super Hornets… Arrival of the first two Lockheed Martin Lightning II aircraft to RAAF Base Williamtown 10 December 2018 The RAAF’s first 5th generation fighter is the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. The type began operational use in… Heading to retirement of the AP-3C after 50 years of service 1 November 2019 The Air Force began the draw down of the AP-3C Orion following the arrival of the P-8A Poseidon, after serving… Exercise Christmas Drop 19 December 2019 From 2-4 December 2019 Exercise Christmas Drop was conducted for the first time in Australia, when around a… 2020-Present day Air Force 100 – Centenary of Air Force 31 March 2021 On 31 March 2021, the Royal Australian Air Force marked 100 years of service to Australia. During 2021 and early 2022… Keywords Type - Any -Aircraft & technologyBase establishmentCapabililty development & researchHonours & recognitionHumanitarian Assistance and Disaster ReliefLeadershipOperations & missions-Korean War-Peacekeeping-Vietnam War-World War 2Public Engagement and CeremoniesRAAF Brand & uniformRAAF FirstsRAAF Formation Base - Any -RAAF Base AmberleyRAAF Base ButterworthRAAF Base CurtinRAAF Base DarwinRAAF Base East SaleRAAF Base EdinburghRAAF Base GlenbrookRAAF Base LearmonthRAAF Base PearceRAAF Base Point CookRAAF Base RichmondRAAF Base SchergerRAAF Base TindalRAAF Base TownsvilleRAAF Base WaggaRAAF Base WilliamsRAAF Base WilliamtownRussell Offices CanberraWoomera Range Complex Our Journey 1920-1929 1930-1939 1940-1949 1950-1959 1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-2009 2010-2019 2020-Present day
![Neptune aircraft. [Source: RAAF]](/sites/default/files/styles/our_journey_thumbnail/public/2022-11/Neptune.jpg?itok=NJUUCrc7)
![Siege of Khe Sanh [Source: Royal Australian Air Force]](/sites/default/files/styles/our_journey_thumbnail/public/2022-11/F-100%20Khe%20Sanh.jpg?itok=LxpVH4OJ)
