Structure of the Royal Australian Air Force

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The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.

Circa 1998, composite wings in the 95-97 series range were reported to be formed if necessary for operations overseas. In the event, No. 97 Wing RAAF was established on 24 October 1997 to command the RAAF elements deployed for drought relief purposes to Papua New Guinea during Operation Ples Drai. It was led by Wing Commander Chris Richards, who was also the commander of the Air Component of Joint Task Force 105 which had been established for this operation.[1]

## Air Force structure

[edit]

### Formations

[edit]

FORMATION    | COMMANDER    | RANK

|
|

Air Force  | Chief of Air Force (CAF) | Air Marshal
Air Force Headquarters/HQ Air Command  | DCAF/Air Commander  | Air Vice Marshal
Force Element Group/Branch  | Commander/Director General  | Air Commodore
Wing/Directorate  | Officer Commanding/Director  | Group Captain/EL2
Squadron/Unit/Department  | Commanding Officer/Deputy Director/Senior Manager  | Wing Commander/EL1
Flight  | Flight Commander/Manager  | Squadron Leader/APS6Flight Lieutenant/APS5*
Section  | Officer in Charge/Coordinator  | Junior Officer~/SNCO/APS1-4

Note: Only select formations as promulgated by CAF are designated as official command (Military) or directorial (APS) appointments

*Rank/Title depends on size/complexity/purpose of the formation
~A junior officer of the Air Force is a Pilot Officer(O1), Flying Officer (O2) or Flight Lieutenant (O3). Air Force Warrant Officers (WOFF/E9) hold similar standing to a Flying Officer or Flight Lieutenant - depending on time/experience in rank.

* ~Air Force public servant non-executive leaders, depending on roles, are designated as; Manager FLTLT(APS5)/SQNLDR(APS6) responsibility depending on size/complexity), Coordinators WOFF(APS4)/FLGOFF(APS4) responsibility), and Officer (APS4 - FSGT/PLTOFF responsibility)
* Air Force senior officers are Squadron Leader (APS6/O4), Wing Commander (EL1/O5), Group Captain (EL2/O6).
* ~Air Force executive public servant officers are designated Senior Managers or Deputy Directors (EL1/O5), Director (EL2) or Executive Director (EL2.1/O6) depending on role and level of responsibilities.

Air Force 'Air Officers' (Flag Rank (Navy), General Rank (Army) are Air Commodore (1*), Air Vice Marshal (2*), Air Marshal (3*) and Air Chief Marshal (4*).
Air Force public servants of equivalent air officer rank are; (1*) - SES Band-1/Assistant Secretary, (2*) - SES Band-2/First Assistant Secretary, Deputy Secretary (DEPSEC - 3*), and Secretary (SEC - 4*)

### Other appointments

[edit]

* Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) – Air Chief Marshal (when RAAF officer)
* Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) – Air Marshal (when RAAF officer)
* Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS) – Air Marshal (when RAAF officer)
* Chief Capability Development Group (CCDG) – Air Marshal (when RAAF officer)
* Deputy Chief of Air Force (DCAF) – Air Vice Marshal
* Commander Integrated Air Defence System (CDR IADS) – Air Vice Marshal
* Deputy Chief of Joint Operations (DCJOPS)/Chief of Staff Headquarters Joint Operations Command (COS HQJOC) – Air Vice Marshal (when RAAF officer)
* Chief Joint Logistics (CJLOG) – Air Vice Marshal (when RAAF officer)
* Chief Information Officer (CIO) – Air Vice Marshal (when RAAF officer)
* Commander Joint Health (CJHLTH)- Air Vice Marshal (when RAAF officer)

## Air Force Headquarters

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UNIT    | FULL NAME    | LOCATION    | AIRCRAFT

|
|
|

CAF  | Office of the Chief of Air Force  | Russell Offices |
WOFF-AF  | Warrant Officer of the Air Force  | Russell Offices  |
AFHQ  | Air Force Headquarters  | Russell Offices  |
28SQN  | No. 28 Squadron | HMAS Harman, Canberra |

## Air Command

[edit]

HQAC  | Headquarters Air Command  | RAAF Base Glenbrook |

### Air Combat Group

[edit]

UNIT | FULL NAME | LOCATION | EQUIPMENT
HQACG  | Headquarters Air Combat Group  | RAAF Base Williamtown |
78 Wing
HQ78WG  | Headquarters No. 78 Wing  | RAAF Base Williamtown  |
76SQN  | No. 76 Squadron | RAAF Base Williamtown  | BAe Hawk 127
79SQN  | No. 79 Squadron | RAAF Base Pearce | BAe Hawk 127
278SQN  | No. 278 Squadron | RAAF Base Amberley  |  |
278SQN WLM  | No. 278 Squadron Williamtown TTF  | RAAF Base Williamtown |  |
81 Wing
HQ81WG  | Headquarters No. 81 Wing  | RAAF Base Williamtown  |
81WG CWKS  | 81 Wing Combined Workshops  | RAAF Base Williamtown  |
2OCU  | No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit | RAAF Base Williamtown  | F-35A Lightning II
2OCU  | No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit PTC det (61st Fighter Squadron USAF)  | Luke AFB | F-35A Lightning II
3SQN  | No. 3 Squadron | RAAF Base Williamtown  | F-35A Lightning II
75SQN  | No. 75 Squadron | RAAF Base Tindal  | F-35A Lightning II
77SQN  | No. 77 Squadron | RAAF Base Williamtown  | F-35A Lightning II
82 Wing |
HQ82WG  | Headquarters No. 82 Wing  | RAAF Base Amberley  |
1SQN  | No. 1 Squadron | RAAF Base Amberley  | F/A-18F Super Hornet
4SQN  | No. 4 Squadron | RAAF Base Williamtown  | PC-21
6SQN  | No. 6 Squadron | RAAF Base Amberley  | EA-18G Growler
6SQN  | No. 6 Squadron Training Det (VAQ-129)  | NAS Whidbey Island |

### Air Mobility Group

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UNIT | FULL NAME | LOCATION | AIRCRAFT
HQAMG  | Headquarters Air Mobility Group  | RAAF Base Richmond |
84 Wing
HQ84WG  | Headquarters No. 84 Wing  | RAAF Base Richmond  |
34SQN  | No. 34 Squadron | Defence Establishment Fairbairn | B737 BBJ / CL604
35SQN  | No. 35 Squadron | RAAF Base Amberley | C-27J Spartan
37SQN  | No. 37 Squadron | RAAF Base Richmond  | C-130J Hercules
285SQN  | No. 285 Squadron | RAAF Base Richmond
AMTDU  | Air Movements Training & Development Unit  | RAAF Base Richmond  |
86 Wing
HQ86G  | Headquarters No. 86 Wing  | RAAF Base Richmond
33SQN  | No. 33 Squadron | RAAF Base Amberley | KC-30A
36SQN  | No. 36 Squadron | RAAF Base Amberley | C-17 Globemaster III

### Surveillance and Response Group

[edit]

UNIT | FULL NAME | LOCATION | EQUIPMENT
HQSRG  | Headquarters Surveillance and Response Group  | RAAF Base Williamtown |
41 Wing
HQ41WG  | Headquarters No. 41 Wing  | RAAF Base Williamtown  |
1RSU  | No. 1 Remote Sensor Unit | RAAF Base Edinburgh |
3CRU  | No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit | RAAF Base Williamtown  |
114MCRU  | No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit | RAAF Base Darwin |
114MCRU DET  | No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit Detachment  | RAAF Base Tindal |
SACTU  | Surveillance and Control Training Unit  | RAAF Base Williamtown  |
42 Wing
HQ42WG  | Headquarters No. 42 Wing  | RAAF Base Williamtown  |
2SQN  | No. 2 Squadron | RAAF Base Williamtown  | E-7A Wedgetail
44 Wing
HQ44WG  | Headquarters No. 44 Wing  | RAAF Base Williamtown  | ATC radars etc.
452SQN  | No. 452 Squadron | RAAF Base Darwin |
452SQN DET AMB  | No. 452 Squadron Detachment Amberley  | RAAF Base Amberley |
452SQN DET DAR  | No. 452 Squadron Detachment Darwin  | RAAF Base Darwin  |
452SQN DET OAK  | No. 452 Squadron Detachment Oakey  | Oakey Army Aviation Centre |
452SQN DET TDL  | No. 452 Squadron Detachment Tindal  | RAAF Base Tindal  |
452SQN DET TVL  | No. 452 Squadron Detachment Townsville  | RAAF Base Townsville |
453SQN  | No. 453 Squadron | RAAF Base Williamtown |
453SQN DET ESL  | No. 453 Squadron Detachment East Sale  | RAAF Base East Sale |
453SQN DET EDN  | No. 453 Squadron Detachment Edinburgh  | RAAF Base Edinburgh  |
453SQN DET NWA  | No. 453 Squadron Detachment Nowra  | HMAS Albatross |
453SQN DET PEA  | No. 453 Squadron Detachment Pearce  | RAAF Base Pearce |
453SQN DET RIC  | No. 453 Squadron Detachment Richmond  | RAAF Base Richmond |
453SQN DET WLM  | No. 453 Squadron Detachment Williamtown  | RAAF Base Williamtown  |
92 Wing
HQ92WG  | Headquarters No. 92 Wing  | RAAF Base Edinburgh  |
92WG DET A  | No. 92 Wing Detachment A  | RMAF Base Butterworth | P-8A Poseidon*
92WG DET B  | No. 92 Wing Detachment B  | RAAF Base Darwin  | P-8A Poseidon*
10SQN  | No. 10 Squadron | RAAF Base Edinburgh  | AP-3C Orion (ELINT) Future MC-55A
11SQN  | No. 11 Squadron | RAAF Base Edinburgh  | P-8A Poseidon/AP-3C Orion
292SQN  | No. 292 Squadron | RAAF Base Edinburgh  | P-8A Poseidon*

### Combat Support Group

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UNIT | FULL NAME | LOCATION | AIRCRAFT
HQCSG  | Headquarters Combat Support Group  | RAAF Base Amberley |
95 Wing RAAF
HQ395ECSW  | Headquarters 95 Expeditionary Wing  | RAAF Base Amberley |
381ECSS  | No. 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron | RAAF Base Williamtown |
382ECSS  | No. 382 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron | RAAF Base Amberley  |
321ECSS  | No. 321 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron  | RAAF Base Darwin  |
322ECSS  | No. 322 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron  | RAAF Base Tindal  |
| Bare Base Management Flight | RAAF Curtin |
| Bare Base Management Flight | RAAF Learmonth |
| Bare Base Management Flight | RAAF Scherger |
323ECSS  | No. 323 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron | RAAF Base Townsville  |
324CSS  | No. 324 Combat Support Squadron | RMAF Base Butterworth |
325ECSS  | No. 325 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron | RAAF Base Richmond  |
1AOSS  | No 1 Airfield Operations Support Squadron | RAAF Base Amberley |
1CCS  | No. 1 Combat Communications Squadron | RAAF Base Richmond  |
1AFDS  | No. 1 Airfield Defence Squadron | RAAF Base Williamtown |
2AFDS  | No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron | RAAF Base Amberley |
396 Combat Support Wing
HQ396CSW  | Headquarters No. 396 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing  | RAAF Base Darwin  |
13SQN  | No. 13 Squadron | RAAF Base Darwin  |
20SQN  | No. 20 Squadron | RAAF Base Woomera (With Effect 1 April 2015)  |
21SQN  | No. 21 Squadron | RAAF Williams |
22SQN  | No. 22 Squadron | RAAF Base Richmond  |
23SQN  | No. 23 Squadron | RAAF Base Amberley  |
24SQN  | No. 24 Squadron | RAAF Base Edinburgh  |
25SQN  | No. 25 Squadron | RAAF Base Pearce  |
26SQN  | No. 26 Squadron | RAAF Base Williamtown  |
27SQN  | No. 27 Squadron | RAAF Base Townsville  |
29SQN  | No. 29 Squadron | Anglesea Barracks, Hobart |
30SQN  | No. 30 Squadron | RAAF Base East Sale  |
31SQN  | No. 31 Squadron | RAAF Base Wagga  |
Health Services Wing
HQHSW  | Headquarters Health Services Wing  | RAAF Base Amberley  |
1ATHS  | No. 1 Air Transportable Health Squadron  | RAAF Base Amberley  |
2ATHS  | No. 2 Air Transportable Health Squadron  | RAAF Base Williamtown  |
3CSH  | No. 3 Combat Support Hospital  | RAAF Base Richmond  |

### Air Warfare Centre

[edit]

UNIT | FULL NAME | LOCATION | EQUIPMENT/ROLE |
AWC  | RAAF Air Warfare Centre  | RAAF Base Edinburgh | Integrated Group Command Formation  |
AWC Integrated Mission Support Directorate |
IMSD  | AWC Integrated Mission Support Directorate | RAAF Base Edinburgh  | Development, coordination and delivery of integrated air warfare solutions  |
IMS-T  | AWC Integrated Mission Support Tasking Branch | RAAF Base Edinburgh  | Centralised tasking function for all AWC units  |
IMS-I  | AWC Integrated Mission Support Integrated Projects Branch | RAAF Base Edinburgh  | Coordination of AWC integrated air warfare projects  |
AWC Information Warfare Directorate |
JEWOSU  | Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit  | RAAF Base Edinburgh  | Joint service electronic warfare support  |
87SQN  | No. 87 Squadron | RAAF Base Edinburgh  | Air intelligence  |
460SQN  | No. 460 Squadron | Russell Offices Canberra  |
462SQN  | No. 462 Squadron | RAAF Base Edinburgh  | Information operations  |
AWC Tactics & Training Directorate |
TTD  | AWC Tactics & Training Directorate | RAAF Base Williamtown  | TTD operational capability management  |
AWC Test and Development Directorate |
ARDU  | Aircraft Research and Development Unit | RAAF Base Edinburgh with detachments at RAAF Bases Amberley and Williamtown  | Defence Aerospace Systems Test & Evaluation (Air Platforms Systems Testing)  |
AWESQN  | Air Warfare Engineering Squadron  | RAAF Base Edinburgh  | Aircraft Test and Evaluation Design & Engineering  | Aircraft Stores Compatibility Clearance  |
IAM  | RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine  | RAAF Base Edinburgh  | Defence Aviation Medicine Training and Systems Testing  |
AIS  | RAAF Aeronautical Information Service  | Victoria Barracks, Melbourne  | Australian aeronautical information services
AWC Air Force Ranges Directorate |
AFRD  | Air Force Ranges Directorate  | RAAF Base Edinburgh  | AFRD operational capability management  |
WTR SQN  | Woomera Test Range Squadron  | RAAF Base Edinburgh with a permanent detachment at RAAF Base Woomera  | Squadron-level formation responsible for the day to day conduct of Defence activities at the WTR  |
WRC  | Woomera Range Complex  | RAAF Woomera Test Range and RAAF Base Woomera  | Specialist defence systems test facility (122,000 sq km)  |

### Air Force Training Group

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UNIT | FULL NAME | LOCATION | AIRCRAFT
HQAFTG  | Headquarters Air Force Training Group  | RAAF Williams |
Air Training Wing
HQATW  | Headquarters Air Training Wing  | RAAF Base East Sale |
ADFBFTS  | Basic Flying Training School  | Tamworth, NSW | CT/4 Airtrainer
2FTS  | No. 2 Flying Training School | RAAF Base Pearce | Pilatus PC-9/PC-21
CFS  | Central Flying School | RAAF Base East Sale  | Pilatus PC-9/PC-21
1FTS  | No. 1 Flying Training School  | RAAF Base East Sale  |
SATC  | School of Air Traffic Control  | RAAF Base East Sale  |
32SQN  | No. 32 Squadron | RAAF Base East Sale  | King Air 350
100SQN  | No. 100 Squadron | RAAF Base Point Cook with a flight at Temora Aviation Museum | Historic aircraft display squadron
CSTS  | Combat Survival Training School  | RAAF Base Townsville |
Ground Training Wing
Ground Training Wing  | HQ Ground Training Wing  | RAAF Base Wagga |
ADFLANGS  | ADF School of Languages  | RAAF Williams  |
DITC  | Defence International Training Centre  | RAAF Williams  |
SALT  | RAAF School of Administration and Logistics Training  | RAAF Base Wagga  |
RAAFSTT  | RAAF School of Technical Training  | RAAF Base Wagga  |
RAAFSFS  | RAAF Security and Fire School  | RAAF Base Amberley |
EOTS  | RAAF Explosive Ordnance Training School  | Defence Establishment Orchard Hills |
RAAF College
RAAFCOL  | Headquarters RAAF College  | RAAF Base Wagga  |
1RTU  | 1 Recruit Training Unit  | RAAF Base Wagga  |
OTS  | Officer Training School | RAAF Base East Sale  |
SPS  | School of Postgraduate Studies  | RAAF Base Wagga  |
MUSEUM  | RAAF Museum  | RAAF Williams  |
RAAFBAND  | Royal Australian Air Force Band  | RAAF Williams  |

## References

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### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ Bullard 2017, p. 257.

### Bibliography

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* Bullard, Steven (2017). In their Time of Need: Australia's Overseas Emergency Relief Operations 1918-2006. Official History of Australian Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and Post-Cold War Operations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-02634-6.

* v
* t
* e

Royal Australian Air Force

Australian Defence Force

leadership|

* Air and Space Interoperability Council
* Chief of Air Force
* Deputy Chief of Air Force
* Defence Space Commander
* Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force
* Air Chief Marshal
* List of Royal Australian Air Force air marshals
* Warrant Officer of the Air Force

personnel|

* Ranks
* Aircrew brevet
* Recipients of the Air Force Medal
* List of personnel

structure|

* Units and Formations
* Defence Space Command
* Groups
* Wings
* Squadrons
* Ground Support Squadrons
* Flights
* Musterings
* Air Force Reserve
* Australian Air Force Cadets
* Airfield Defence Guards
* Air Traffic Control

| Air
Command
groups
and
wings|

| Air Combat|

* No. 78 Wing
* No. 81 Wing
* No. 82 Wing

|

Air Mobility|

* No. 84 Wing
* No. 86 Wing

Surveillance
& Response|

* No. 41 Wing
* No. 42 Wing
* No. 44 Wing
* No. 92 Wing

Combat
Support|

* No. 95 Wing
* No. 396 Combat Support Wing
* Health Services Wing

Air
Warfare|

* Integrated Mission Support Directorate
* Information Warfare Directorate
* Tactics and Training Directorate
* Test and Development Directorate
* Aircraft Research and Development Unit
* Aircraft Systems Engineering Squadron
* Aircraft Stores Compatibility Engineering Squadron
* RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine
* Air Force Ranges Directorate

Training|

* Air Training Wing
* Basic Flying Training School
* Central Flying School
* Ground Training Wing
* Combat Survival Training School
* Reserve Training Wing
* RAAF College
* Officers' Training School

operations|

* Operation Resolute
* Operation Okra

equipment|

* List of aircraft
* VIP aircraft
* Weaponry

installations
& airbases|

* Russell Offices
* RMAF Butterworth
* Al Minhad Air Base
* RAAF Base Amberley
* RAAF Scherger
* RAAF Base Townsville
* RAAF Base Glenbrook
* Defence Establishment Orchard Hills
* RAAF Base Richmond
* RAAF Base Wagga
* RAAF Base Williamtown
* RAAF Base East Sale
* RAAF Williams
* RAAF Base Edinburgh
* RAAF Base Woomera
* RAAF Curtin
* RAAF Gingin
* RAAF Learmonth
* RAAF Base Pearce
* RAAF Base Darwin
* RAAF Base Tindal

history|

* Battle honours
* Royal Australian Air Force Memorial, Canberra
* RAAF Museum
* RAAF Wagga Heritage Centre
* Western Australian Aviation Heritage Museum
* Avro Anson Memorial
* Queens Gardens, Brisbane
* Tiger Force
* Operation Pig Bristle
* Australian First Tactical Air Force
* RAAF Overseas Headquarters
* RAAF University Squadrons
* RAAF Area Commands
* Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service
* Volunteer Air Observers Corps

culture|

* Royal Australian Air Force Ensign
* Air Force newspaper
* Roulettes Aerobatic Display Team
* Gunnie (slang)

Category: Royal Australian Air Force
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