Australian Air Force Cadets facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Australian Air Force Cadets
Founded	February 1941; 84 years ago (1941-02)
Country	Australia
Allegiance	Royal Australian Air Force
Role	Volunteer youth organisation
Size	Cadets: 9,000+ (April 2024) Number of squadrons: ~144 Adult Volunteers: ~1,200
Part of	Australian Defence Force Cadets
Headquarters	Headquarters Australian Air Force Cadets - Building F4, level 2 28 Scherger Drive Fairbairn ACT 2610
Motto(s)	Inspiring today, leading tomorrow
Commanders
Director General Cadets – Air Force	Air Commodore Craig Heap
Commander – Australian Air Force Cadets	Group Captain (AAFC) Stephen Johns

The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is a youth group funded by the Australian Government. It's like a junior version of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The AAFC helps young people learn about the Air Force and develop important life skills. It is part of the Australian Defence Force Cadets, which also includes the Australian Army Cadets and the Australian Navy Cadets.

History of the AAFC

How the Cadets Started

The AAFC began as the Air Training Corps (ATC) in February 1941. This was during World War II, and the goal was to train young men aged 16 to 18 to join the RAAF. It also helped them learn more about aviation and the Air Force. In 1943, over 12,000 cadets were part of the program.

Changes After the War

After World War II ended, fewer pilots were needed. So, the ATC changed its focus to training cadets for the peacetime RAAF. In 1975, the cadet groups were briefly closed down. However, they were restarted in May 1976, and the Air Training Corps was renamed AIRTC.

Becoming the Modern AAFC

In May 1982, girls were allowed to join the AIRTC for the first time. In 2001, the AIRTC officially changed its name to the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC). This change helped to create a more consistent training program across all states. In 2005, the AAFC was further organised into different "wings" to improve how it delivered its programs.

What the AAFC Aims For

Australian Air Force Cadets wearing their service uniform at a memorial service.

The main goal of the Australian Air Force Cadets is to help young people become better members of their community. It teaches them to be leaders, to take initiative, to be disciplined, and to be loyal. The training program also helps cadets learn about the Royal Australian Air Force and aviation.

Here are some of the key things the AAFC wants to achieve:

• To teach cadets about the Air Force and its rules.
• To help cadets become good leaders and be self-reliant.
• To encourage good character and citizenship.
• To spark an interest in the Royal Australian Air Force and flying.
• To teach about the history of aviation.
• To encourage cadets to stay interested in aviation as adults.

AAFC Uniforms

AAFC uniforms look very similar to the uniforms worn by the RAAF. Cadets wear the RAAF General Purpose Uniform (GPU) and the Service Dress (SD). Before the GPU, they wore a camouflage uniform called DPCU.

The main differences between AAFC and RAAF uniforms are the badges and rank slides. AAFC rank slides have a blue and white band with "AAFC" written on them. The Service Dress uniform is worn for special events and ceremonies. Cadets and staff wear a khaki hat, while some senior cadets and staff may wear a RAAF peaked cap.

Since early 2021, the AAFC has been using the GPU, which is the same uniform the RAAF uses now. AAFC members also wear a squadron patch, which usually has a blue background and symbols representing their local area.

Training Activities

Training at Your Squadron

Cadets usually move through different training stages. Early training focuses on basic military drill, learning about aerospace, and field skills. As cadets progress, they take advanced training courses that teach them leadership skills.

Special Training Camps

Cadets also get to attend special training camps, often at RAAF bases or other outdoor locations. These activities include:

• General Service Training (GST): Cadets learn about the Defence Force and what happens on a RAAF airbase.
• Cadet Flying Training (CST): Cadets get to learn how to pilot different aircraft.
• Fieldcraft Camps: These camps teach important outdoor survival and teamwork skills.

Drill and Ceremonies

A big part of AAFC training is "Drill and Ceremonial." This involves learning military movements, from basic standing drills to more advanced banner, rifle, and sword drills for senior cadets.

AAFC squadrons often take part in important events like Anzac Day and Remembrance Day parades. They might form special guards or carry banners. Graduation parades for promotion courses are also very important and require a lot of practice. These parades are often reviewed by a senior RAAF officer. Sometimes, ceremonial firearms or swords are used during these events.

AAFC Ranks

The ranks in the Australian Air Force Cadets are based on the ranks of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). To tell the difference, AAFC cadets wear rank slides that are Air Force Blue with a light blue ribbon and "AAFC" written on them. Adult AAFC members have a white bar with "AAFC" on their rank slides. When written, adult ranks are followed by "(AAFC)" to show they are not RAAF members. Cadet ranks are usually prefixed with "C" (e.g., CPL for Cadet Corporal).

ADFC Cadets	CDT 9 (Special Grade)		CDT 8	CDT 7		CDT 6		CDT 5	CDT 4	CDT 3	CDT 2	CDT 1	CDT (R)
Australian Air Force Cadets	No equivalent									No equivalent			No insignia
			Cadet Under Officer	Cadet Warrant Officer		Cadet Flight Sergeant		Cadet Sergeant	Cadet Corporal		Leading Cadet	Cadet	Cadet Recruit
			CUO	CWOFF		CFSGT		CSGT	CCPL		LCDT	CDT	CDTRCT

• Recruit (RCT) is not an official rank. It refers to new cadets who have just joined but haven't finished their first training stage.

Instructor Ranks of the AAFC (Instructor of Cadets – IOC)

Insignia
Rank	Warrant Officer (AAFC)	Flight Sergeant (AAFC)		Sergeant (AAFC)	Corporal (AAFC)		Leading Aircraftman Leading Aircraftwoman (AAFC)	Aircraftman Aircraftwoman (AAFC)
Abbreviation	WOFF(AAFC)	FSGT(AAFC)		SGT(AAFC)	CPL(AAFC)		LAC/W(AAFC)	AC/W(AAFC)

Officer Ranks of the AAFC (Officer of Cadets – OOC)

Insignia
Rank	Group Captain (AAFC)	Wing Commander (AAFC)	Squadron Leader (AAFC)	Flight Lieutenant (AAFC)	Flying Officer (AAFC)	Pilot Officer (AAFC)
Abbreviation	GPCAPT(AAFC)	WGCDR(AAFC)	SQNLDR(AAFC)	FLTLT(AAFC)	FLGOFF(AAFC)	PLTOFF(AAFC)

How Ranks are Given

The AAFC has rules about how many cadets can hold certain ranks in each squadron. This helps make sure there's a good balance of leaders and other members. For example, a squadron of 40 cadets might have a few senior leaders and more junior cadets. This system helps ensure everyone has a role and can learn to lead.

Awards and Badges

Cadets can earn various awards and badges for their achievements. These recognise their service, training, and skills.

How the AAFC is Organised

National Leadership

The entire AAFC organisation is led by Headquarters AAFC (HQAAFC). This headquarters doesn't have one physical building; its members are located all over Australia. The Commander of the Australian Air Force Cadets (CDR-AAFC) is the highest-ranking AAFC officer. This person reports to a RAAF officer, the Director General Cadets – Air Force.

Under HQAAFC, there are different "Operational Wings" and "Directorates." Each is led by a Wing Commander (AAFC) or a Director.

Different Departments (Directorates)

Directorates help support the Operational Wings. As of June 2020, there are four main Directorates:

RAAF Support for Cadets

The Cadets Branch – Air Force (CB-AF) is a part of the RAAF that works closely with the AAFC. They help manage and support cadet activities.

Cadets can join the AAFC when they are 12 years old, as long as they will turn 13 that year. They must leave at the end of the year they turn 18.

Regional Wings

The AAFC is divided into eight "Operational Wings" across Australia's states and territories. Queensland has two wings because it's a large state.

Each year, the RAAF gives an award called the "Australian Air Force Cadets – Air Force Trophy." The winning wing gets to keep the AAFC National Banner for a year.

Local Squadrons and Flights

Each Wing has many local units called squadrons (SQNs) and flights (FLTs). Each unit has a 3-digit number, where the first digit shows which wing it belongs to. For example, 101 SQN is part of No. 1 Wing.

Specialised Units

Each wing also has special units that focus on specific tasks. These include aviation training, logistics (managing supplies), firearms training, and music.

The Aviation Operations Wing focuses on flying activities. It has two types of flights: Gliding Training Schools (GTS) for glider experiences and Elementary Flying Training Schools (EFTS) for powered flights.

AAFC Activities

Cadets can take part in many exciting activities, including:

• Training at their local squadron
• Bivouacs (camping trips)
• Live firearm shooting
• Gliding and powered flight experiences
• General Service Training Camps
• Personal Development and Leadership Courses
• Parades and marches
• Learning about Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones)
• Rocketry
• Aeromodelling (building model aircraft)
• National Competitions
• International Air Cadet Exchange

National Competitions

HQAAFC organises three national competitions each year:

• National Fieldcraft Competition (NFCC): This is an annual outdoor skills competition held in different locations.
• National Rifle Competition (NRC): A shooting competition held in September each year.
• National Aviation Competition (NAC): This flying competition takes place in December at RAAF Bases around Australia. It includes both powered flight and gliding events.

In 2023 and 2024, the AAFC also joined the Chief of Army Cadets Team Challenge.

Wing Competitions

Individual Wings also hold their own competitions. These can include drill competitions, drone competitions, and shooting competitions.

International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE)

The IACE program started in 1947. It allows cadets from different countries to visit each other. The AAFC exchanges cadets with countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

Other Activities

• Airshows: Cadets sometimes get to attend local airshows and military events.
• Charity Work: Cadets help their local communities by assisting with charity events, such as Relay for Life. They also support military organisations like Legacy.
• Bivouacs: These are camping activities where cadets learn outdoor skills, leadership, and teamwork. They can last from a weekend to a week.

Memorials to the AAFC

There are two main memorials in Australia dedicated to the Australian Air Force Cadets. One is located at St John's Ashfield and was opened in 1946. A memorial service is held there every year.

The second memorial is a plaque unveiled in 1981. It marks the 40th anniversary of the Air Training Corps, the AAFC's earlier name. This plaque is found near the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Victoria.

Many AAFC squadrons also work with local Returned and Services League (RSL) branches. They participate in local ceremonies like Anzac Day and Remembrance Day marches.

Firearms Used

Currently in Use

• Cz452
• Cz453
• Cz455
• ZKM 452
• F88 (Used for ceremonies and special training)

Formerly Used

• Lee Enfield (retired 2011, still used for drill)
• Martini Cadet (retired in the 1970s)
• L1a1 (retired 2013, still used for drill)

Aircraft and Gliders

A Piper PA-38 Tomahawk aircraft used by the Australian Air Force Cadets.

Powered Aircraft

Aircraft	Variants	Origin	Role	Period of service
Diamond DA40 Diamond Star	DA-40NG	Austria	Four-seat light aircraft	2019–present
Piper PA-25 Pawnee	PA-25-235, PA-25-235A1	United States	Single-seat glider tug aircraft	2007–2017

A PZL Krosno KR-03A Puchatek glider in Australian Air Force Cadets colours.

Past Powered Aircraft

Aircraft	Variants	Origin	Role	Period of service
Cessna 172 Skyhawk	172D Skyhawk	United States	Four-seat light utility aircraft	1981–?
Zlín Z 42	242L	Czechoslovakia	Two-seat pilot trainer aircraft	2002–2018
Beechcraft Baron	58 Baron	United States	Ground-based instructional airframe and simulator	2003–?
Grob G 109	G 109	Germany	Two-seat motor-glider aircraft	2006–?
Piper PA-38 Tomahawk	PA-38-112	United States	Two-seat pilot trainer, utility aircraft	2006–?
Scheibe Falke	SF-25C Falke	Germany	Two-seat motor-glider aircraft	2006–?

Gliders Used

Aircraft	Variants	Origin	Period of service
DG Flugzeugbau DG-1000	DG-1000S	Germany	2013–present

Past Gliders Used

Aircraft	Variants	Origin	Period of service
Grob G 103 Twin Astir	G.103	Germany	2018–
Grob G103a Twin II	G.103a Twin II	Germany	2010–2018
LET L-13 Blanik	L-13, L-13A1	Czechoslovakia	2010–2018
PZL Krosno KR-03 Puchatek	KR-03A	Poland	2006–2018
Schleicher ASK 13	ASK-13	Germany	2006–2018
Schleicher ASK-21	ASK-21, ASK-21Mi	Germany	2014–2018
Schleicher K7	K.7	Germany
Schleicher Ka 6	Ka.6CR	Germany	2010–2018
SZD-51 Junior	51-1 Junior	Poland

Important Events

The Ellie Tibble Award

In November 2000, a 15-year-old cadet named Ellie Tibble passed away. Her death led to changes in how the AAFC handles certain situations. The "Ellie Tibble Award" was created in her memory. It is given to cadets who show excellent values and performance.

Review of Cadet Programs

In 2017, a special review looked into how different institutions, including the ADF Cadets, handled past issues. This review helped to make sure that cadet programs are safe and supportive for all young people.

See also

• Australian Defence Force Cadets
  • Australian Army Cadets
  • Australian Navy Cadets
• Australian Air League
• Air Training Corps (United Kingdom)
• Civil Air Patrol (United States)
• New Zealand Air Training Corps
• Royal Canadian Air Cadets