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On Boxing Day 2004, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) sprang into action to join a global humanitarian effort following a 9.2 Richter scale earthquake which caused a series of tsunamis that devastated the Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing 230,…

On 31 March 2021, the Royal Australian Air Force marked 100 years of service to Australia. During 2021 and early 2022, RAAF conducted a series of commemorations and initiatives to: honour the service and sacrifice of past and present Air Force…

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.

Defence supports the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic through the COVID-19 Taskforce.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) continued its support of Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20 initially announced on 11 November 2019.

From 2-4 December 2019 Exercise Christmas Drop was conducted for the first time in Australia, when around a tonne of donations were airdropped to an Indigenous community at Lockhart River, Qld. This was followed by additional drops to Kowanyama…

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.

The RAAF’s first 5th generation fighter is the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. The type began operational use in Australia in December 2018. However, the first appearance by the aircraft in Australia was at the 2017 Australian International…

The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, announced the return of Australia’s six F/A-18F Super Hornets marking the end of Australia’s successful air strike operations in Iraq and Syria.

The first six Pilatus PC-21 aircraft for the RAAF were welcomed at East Sale on 11 August 2017. The last of the forty-nine ordered by the RAAF was delivered in December 2019. The PC-21 replaced the Pilatus PC-9 in the RAAF pilot training role. The…

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 Boeing EA-18G Growler is an ‘Airborne Electronic Attack’ aircraft. In this role, the Growler has systems to enable its crew to disrupt other aircraft and military electronic systems. Then Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown, accepted the…

The first P-8A Poseidon aircraft arrived in Canberra on this day.

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.

Motto: Without Impediment No 65 Squadron was formed on 1 July 2015 under the command of WGCDR Justin Cockroft. It forms part of No 95 Wing of the Combat Support Group. The Squadron's headquarters are located at RAAF Base Townsville in Queensland…

Following a devastating earthquake on April 25th 2015, the Australian Defence Force delivered over 13 tonnes of Australian Aid to Nepal and evacuated 106 Australian and other foreign nationals.

Air Force’s first F-35A Joint Strike Fighter pilot, Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson, made his maiden flight in the aircraft at Elgin Air Force Base, Florida, USA.

In response to Cyclone Pam striking Vanuatu over 13-14 March 2015, RAAF C-17 and C-130J aircraft from Nos 36 and 37 Squadrons arrived with relief and medical supplies on this day.

Deployment of F/A-18F Super Hornets, KC-30A, E-7A Wedgetail and Air Force personnel to Middle East to form the Air Task Group on Operation OKRA.

A C-130J Hercules aircraft of No 37 Squadron completed one of the most complex humanitarian air drop mission conducted by the Air Force in more than a decade.

On 18 March RAAF Base Pearce was notified it would provide basing and support to a multi-national search.

The new uniform known as the General Purpose Uniform, was worn for the first time in public replacing the Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU) being worn.

Former Air Force Warrant Officer Harold Allie accepted an invitation from Air Marshal Geoff Brown to become the first Air Force Indigenous Elder.

In 2012 the Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan was announced as the next Australian ‘battlefield airlifter’. The first Australian Spartan was accepted by No 35 Squadron in November 2014. The first pilots were trained on the aircraft in Texas, USA, in…

The Air Force took delivery of the first of a planned total of five Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, designated the KC-30A.

A C-17A Globemaster from No 36 Squadron arrived in Japan to help with urban search and rescue work following a powerful earthquake and devastating tsunami on 11 March.

The Air Force’s fleet of F-111 bombers was retired after 37 years as the mainstay of Australia’s long-range strike capability.

The first contingent of the 92 Air Force personnel deploying under Operation Pakistan Assist II flew into Multan in the Punjab.

The first five of 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet (Rhino) aircraft on order for the Air Force arrived at the RAAF Base Amberley, becoming the Air Force’s first new air combat aircraft in 25 years.

The Air Force flew its last operation involving the DHC-4 Caribou light transport aircraft, 45 years after this type first entered service in Australia.