Structure of the Royal Australian Air Force
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
Formations
| 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 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 '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
- 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
| 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 | |||||
| HQAC | Headquarters Air Command | RAAF Base Glenbrook | |||
Air Combat Group | |||||
| 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 | |||||
| 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 | ||
| 38SQN | No. 38 Squadron | RAAF Base Townsville | King Air 350 | ||
Surveillance and Response Group | |||||
| 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 Radar Surveillance 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 | |||||
| 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 Amberley | |||
| 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 | |||||
| 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 | |||||
| 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 | |||
- Bullard 2017, p. 257.
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