Royal Australian Air Force facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Australian Air Force |
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| Active | 31 March 1921 – present |
| Country | Australia |
| Type | Air force |
| Size | 14,313 Active personnel 5,499 Reserve personnel 309 Aircraft |
| Part of | Australian Defence Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Russell Offices |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Per Ardua ad Astra "Through Adversity to the Stars" |
| March | Royal Australian Air Force March Past |
| Anniversaries | RAAF Anniversary Commemoration – 31 March |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-chief | David Hurley (As Governor-General of Australia) |
| Chief of Air Force | Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld |
| Deputy Chief of Air Force | Air Vice Marshal Stephen Meredith |
| Air Commander Australia | Air Vice Marshal Joe Iervasi |
| Warrant Officer of the Air Force | Warrant Officer Robert Swanwick |
| Insignia | |
| Logo |  |
| Roundel |   |
| Flag |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Electronic warfare |
Boeing EA-18G, E-7A Wedgetail, Gulfstream G550 |
| Fighter | F/A-18 Hornet (A and B), F/A-18F Super Hornet, F-35 |
| Helicopter | AgustaWestland AW139 |
| Patrol | AP-3C Orion, P8-A Poseidon |
| Trainer | PC-9, PC-21, Hawk 127, B300 |
| Transport | C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, Boeing 737, B300, Challenger 600, Airbus A330 MRTT, C-27J Spartan |
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is Australia's air force. It was started in March 1921. The RAAF is part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). It flies most of the ADF's planes. The Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy also have some aircraft.
The RAAF carries on the history of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC). The AFC began on October 22, 1912. The RAAF helps with many important tasks. These include controlling the sky, making accurate attacks, and gathering information. They also move people and supplies by air. The RAAF even helps with space surveillance and humanitarian aid.
The RAAF has been involved in many big conflicts. During the Second World War, RAAF squadrons served in Britain and North Africa. They also fought in the South West Pacific Area. Many Australians joined other air forces in Europe. By the end of the war, over 216,000 people had served in the RAAF. Sadly, 10,562 of them died.
After World War II, the RAAF helped in the Berlin Airlift. They also served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. More recently, the RAAF has helped in places like East Timor and the Iraq War. They also took part in the War in Afghanistan. The RAAF has also been involved in fighting against the Islamic State.
Today, the RAAF has 259 aircraft. About 110 of these are combat aircraft.
How the RAAF Started
The idea for an Australian air force came about in 1910. This plan was approved on October 22, 1912. Soon after, five planes were ordered.
A special flying school was built at Point Cook, Victoria. It was on a large piece of land, about 734 acres. The first students began their training there on August 17, 1914.
Images for kids
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A Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk IA from 75 Squadron RAAF. This plane was flown over New Guinea in August 1942.
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The Brewster F2A Buffalo planes fought in air battles over Malaya, Singapore, and the Dutch East Indies.
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Two RAAF Mirage III fighter jets in 1980.
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A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet landing at the 2013 Avalon Airshow.
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A RAAF pilot during RIMPAC 2022.
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An F-35 taking off at the Australian International Airshow in 2017.
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A C-17A Globemaster III transport plane.
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A BAe Hawk training jet on approach.
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A Paveway II laser-guided bomb.
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An AIM-9L Sidewinder missile.
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The first Australian F-35A takes off from Luke AFB for a test flight in 2015.
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See also
In Spanish: Real Fuerza Aérea Australiana para niños
