Royal Australian Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC), which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts including World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. More recently the RAAF participated in the 2008 against India and Pakistan and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2006). The motto on the RAAF's coat of arms is the Latin phrase Per ardua ad astra, which means "Through Struggle to the Stars".

Force Structure

Statistics

• Active Duty Personnel: 43,500
• Reserve Personnel: 28,000
• Active Bases: 11 (Amberly, Darwin, East Sale, Edinburgh, Glenbrook, Pearce, Richmond, Tindal, Townsville, Wagga, Williamtown)
• Active Installations: 9 (Bundaberg, Camden, Curtin, Gingin, Learmonth, Scherger, Williams, Woomera Airfield)
• Combat Aircraft: 152
• Special Mission Aircraft: 10
• Transport Aircraft: 53
• Trainers: 106
• Chief of the Air Force: Air Chief Marshal Geoff Brown AO
• Deputy Chief of the Air Force: Air Marshal Gavin Davies CSC
• Air Commander Australia: Air Marshal Melvin Hupfeld DSC
• Warrant Officer of the Air Force: Warrant Officer Mark Pentreath CSM

Aircraft of the RAAF

Combat Aircraft

• McDonnell-Douglas F-15C/D Eagle x 36 (Air Superiority Fighter)
• Bombardier F-19C Crossbow x 30 (Strike Fighter)
• Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II x 82 (Multirole Fighter) - 18 more on order

AWACS Aircraft

• Boeing E-7A Wedgetail x 8 (AWACS Aircraft)

Electronic Warfare Aircraft

• Boeing EA-18G Growler x 12 (Radar Jamming/SEAD)
• Gulfstream MC-55A Peregrine x 6 (SIGINT/ELINT Aircraft)

Reconnaissance Aircraft

• Beechcraft Super King Air 350 x 4 (ISTAR)

Transport Aircraft

• Airbus KC-30A Voyager x 14 (Aerial Tanker/Strategic Transport)
• Alenia C-27J Spartan x 12 (Utility Transport)
• Beechcraft Super King Air 350 x 8 (Utility/Transport)
• Boeing BBJ1 x 2 (VIP Transport)
• Bombardier C-17A Globemaster III x 8 (Strategic Transport)
• Dassault Falcon 7X x 4 (VIP Transport)
• Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules x 12 (Transport Aircraft) - to be replaced by 24 new C-130J-30 Super Hercules transports

Helicopters

• AgustaWestland AW139 x 6 (SAR Helicopter)

Training Aircraft

• BAe Systems Hawk Mk.127 x 34 (Advanced Trainer)
• Beechcraft Super King Air 350 x 8 (Multi-Engine Trainer)
• Diamond DA40NG Diamond Star x 8 (Basic Trainer)
• Pilatus PC-21 x 50 (Primary Trainer)

UAVs

• Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat x 1 (UCAV)
• General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian x 0 (UCAV) - 16 aircraft on order