A Concise History of the RAAF

Inter War period 1921 - 1939

Wartime experience and the technical development of aircraft made it obvious that airpower had become an essential element in any military equation. In Australia protracted negotiation between Army, Navy and Defence officials over the period 1917-1921 resulted in the Australian Air Force being formed on 31 March 1921. The Governor-General was notified of approval to use the 'Royal' prefix in May 1921, but the service's new name was not officially promulgated until 13 August 1921.

Initially the RAAF comprised of 21 Officers, 128 Airmen and 153 aircraft (which included 127 of 128 'gift' aircraft from the British Government). As at September 1939, the Service comprised 310 Officers, 3179 Airmen and a total of 246 aircraft. From the lone base at Point Cook, the facilities available to the RAAF had expanded with the acquisition of Laverton, Victoria (1921); Richmond, New South Wales (1923); Pearce, Western Australia (1934); Darwin, Northern Territory; Archerfield, Queensland; and Rathmines, New South Wales (1939).

The RAAF expansion was restricted by the governmental financial restraints during the Great Depression and the existence of the RAAF as an independent force came under pressure from the two other services. These attempts were successfully countered and the tactic of inviting a senior member of the Royal Air Force to report on the 'equipment, training, organisation, administration and development policy of the RAAF' proved of value. The subsequent report by Air Marshal Sir John Salmond that was presented to the Australian Government on 20 September 1928 became an important document for the future planning of the RAAF. Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Edward Ellington visited Australia in 1938 to report on the Air Force and his subsequent report proved controversial. A significant outcome was the replacement of Air Vice-Marshal Williams as Chief of the Air Staff after 17 years service in that appointment.

Despite these problems, the RAAF successfully undertook many epic flights and survey tasks. These commenced prior to the official establishment of the RAAF in 1921. Between 16 November-12 December 1919 Captain Henry Wrigley and Sergeant Arthur Murphy flew a BE2E from Point Cook to Darwin to meet Ross and Keith Smith. This was the first transcontinental flight. The Air Force also participated in surveying operations of national importance. Between 1926 and 1928 Seagull III aircraft were based at Bowen, Queensland, to survey the Great Barrier Reef, and another detachment of these aircraft surveyed Papua New Guinea to identify possible oil fields during 1927. Other survey flights were undertaken over outback Australia seeking potential oilfields. The Air Force also undertook land surveys of potential civilian landing grounds and surveyed civilian air routes. The RAAF supplied personnel to fly and maintain a Gipsy Moth during the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expeditions of 1929 and 1930. During January 1936 a Wapiti, Gipsy Moth and crew were embarked on the research vessel Discovery to rescue Lincoln Ellsworth and his pilot, who were reported missing after attempting to fly across the Antarctic continent.

Of more significance to the RAAF was the aerial circumnavigation of Australia by Wing Commander S.J. Goble and Flying Officer I. McIntyre in a Fairey IIID2 during 1924. Two years later Wing Commander Williams and McIntyre flew a DH50 aircraft on a survey flight to New Guinea, New Britain and the Solomon Islands.

In late 1934 the Australian Government announced that there would be increased funding for defence purposes. During 1935 attempts were made to formalise operational doctrine and the obvious obsolescence of much of the Air Force equipment was a cause for concern. With the volatility of the international situation (the Abyssinian crisis of 1935, the posturing of Germany in Europe, distrust of Japanese intentions in Manchuria, China and Indo-China and doubts regarding the British 'Main Fleet to Singapore' strategy) attempts were made to procure modern aircraft. The first of 48 Avro Anson general reconnaissance bombers were delivered in November 1936 and negotiations commenced for the acquisition of a more suitable aircraft. These discussions resulted in the decision to manufacture the Bristol Beaufort in Australia and the purchase of Lockheed Hudson aircraft from the United States. It was during the period that the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation was established to produce the Wirraway trainer for the RAAF; a decision that affected the selection of aircraft operated by the RAAF for over two decades.

In this period nine Permanent Air Force squadrons (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 14) and four Citizen Air Force squadrons (21, 22, 23 and 25) were either raised or re-raised. However, in most cases they were under strength and the RAAF was ill-prepared for war when it was declared in 1939.

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When war against Germany was declared, personnel from 10 Squadron were either in, or en-route to, the United Kingdom to take delivery of nine Short Sunderland flying boats. This squadron remained in Britain for the duration of the war and gained a reputation second-to-none while operating with Royal Air Force Coastal Command. When disbanded in 1945, the squadron had been credited with the destruction of six German submarines. Another Permanent Air Force (PAF) squadron to serve overseas was 3 Squadron. This unit arrived in Egypt on 23 August 1940 and claimed 194 and one-half victories (this figure has been a matter of intense debate) during all the Western Desert, Syrian, Sicilian and Italian campaigns. The final PAF unit in the Middle East was No.1 Air Ambulance Unit. This unit flew three DH-86 aircraft from Laverton and operated in the Middle East until returning to Australia in February 1944.

Australian-born aircrew, after completing flying training in Australia, had accepted Short Service Commissions with the RAF and were serving when war broke out. These men saw action during the German invasion of France and during the Battle of Britain. The calibre of these men is exemplified by the deeds of Flying Officer L.R. Clisby DFC, who is credited with 17 and one-half victories in France and Flight Lieutenant P.C. Hughes DFC, the top Australian 'ace' of the Battle of Britain with 14 individual and four shared victories. Other Australians who served with distinction as members of the RAF were Air Commodore 'Hughie' Edwards VC and Air Vice-Marshal D. Bennett, the founder of the famous Bomber Command 'Pathfinder' Force and Richard Hillary, the author of the classic book on the Battle of Britain, The Last Enemy.

Representatives of Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand reached agreement at Ottawa, Canada, on 27 November 1939 to participate in the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS). This scheme was to train aircrew for service with the Royal Air Force. Basic training was to be completed in Australia before undertaking advanced training in Canada (674 personnel also received training in Rhodesia) before service with the RAF. The first 34 Australians graduated from RAAF Service Flying Training Schools on 18 November 1940, but, as the scheme developed, a further 37,000 aircrew would eventually be trained in Australia. To meet this commitment, the RAAF established two Air Navigation Schools, three Air Observers Schools, three Bombing and Gunnery Schools, 12 Elementary Flying Training Schools, six Initial Flying Training Schools and eight Service Flying Training Schools. In addition, seven Schools of Technical Training and other specialised technical schools were established to train ground crews in the maintenance of aircraft and equipment. War grave sites give an idea of the widespread theatres in which EATS-trained Australians served, ranging from the United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East, India, Burma, Brazil and even Arlington National Cemetery and Vicksburg in the United States of America.

Under Article XV of the Agreement, provision was made for the Dominions to retain their own identity. This would manifest itself in the gathering of nationals in Dominion squadrons with equipment and facilities being supplied by the RAF. Australian squadrons in the RAF were numbered from 450 to 467. (No.465 was not allocated). Of these, seven operated fighters in the Far East, Middle East and Fighter Command, five were associated with Bomber Command, two in Coastal Command and the remaining three served in the Middle East. Yet, while these 17 squadrons were designated as Australian squadrons, the reality was that Australians who were trained under the EATS actually served in more than 200 RAF squadrons.

The Australian squadrons had distinguished records, as the following random examples illustrate. 452 Squadron spawned such fighter pilots as Keith 'Bluey' Truscott, 'Bardie' Wawn and R.E. Thorold-Smith. 460 was formed in England on 15 November 1941 and flew operations until 25 April 1945. A typical 'main force' bomber unit, the squadron flew 6234 operational sorties, dropped 24,856 tonnes of bombs, and lost 169 aircraft and 1018 aircrew. 461 was raised from a flight of 10 Squadron and also flew Sunderland flying boats. It is best known for one of the strange coincidences of the war. On 30 July 1943 Sunderland U/461 sank U-Boat U-461. Previously, on 2 June, Flight Lieutenant Walker and crew had successfully defended his aircraft from a force of JU-88 fighters over the Bay of Biscay. The Australian crew shot down two, claimed three 'probables' and damaged a further three. 455 commenced flying with Bomber Command before being transferred to Coastal Command, flying Hampden torpedo bombers and finally Beaufighter strike fighters to attack shipping over the North Sea and Norwegian fiords. In summary, the Australian Article XV Squadrons undertook a wide range of operations including day fighting, night fighter and intruder missions, day bombing, maritime strikes and reconnaissance, anti-submarine, night bombing and electronic countermeasures. They were also involved in many famous operations such as (among others) the breaching of the Amien prison wall and the destruction of the Gestapo headquarters building in Copenhagen. When the war in Europe concluded, 451 and 453 Spitfire squadrons were selected as part of the British Army of Occupation in Germany; the latter unit was the first British squadron to operate from Berlin.

The honour of taking the first aerial offensive action by the Allies in the Pacific War belongs to 1 Squadron. Hudsons from this squadron attacked the transports of a Japanese invasion force at Kota Bharu, East Malaya, on the morning of 8 December 1941. The unit, combined with the Hudson aircraft of 8 Squadron, the Wirraway aircraft of 21 Squadron and Brewster Buffalos of 453 Squadron were the Australian contribution to the defence of Singapore. Their valiant efforts were in vain. Singapore fell on 15 February 1942. 1, 8 and 21 Squadrons withdrew through Sumatra and Java; 453 arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia, on 15 March via Java and Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

The loss of Singapore was only the first of a series of defeats. Rabaul, protected by the Wirraway and Hudson aircraft of 24 Squadron, was attacked on 20 January 1942 as a precursor to full-scale invasion two days later. Five Wirraways were destroyed and three badly damaged when the squadron attempted to intercept the raid. The survivors withdrew. It was at this time that the famous signal was sent to the Air Board: Nos morituri te salutamus (we who are about to die salute you). Japanese aircraft raided the port of Darwin on 19 February, and enemy pressure was to lead to the withdrawal of the Catalina aircraft of 11 and 20 Squadrons and the Hudsons of 32 Squadron from Port Moresby.

Japanese forces had simultaneously attacked the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbour, the Philippines and Malaya. Prior to the outbreak of war, arrangements had been made between American and Australian authorities to develop airfields to enable aircraft to be ferried to the Philippines. United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) units were present in Australia during February and participated in the defence of Darwin on 19 February. On 17 March 1942, General Douglas MacArthur assumed command of the South West Pacific Area. This appointment had a significant effect on RAAF operations. On 17 April the Australian War Cabinet assigned all Australian operational units to MacArthur's control. His air commander, General George C. Kenney, reorganised local USAAF elements into the USAAF 5th Air Force and established RAAF Command to control Australian units assigned to his command. RAAF Command was part of the Allied Air Forces Headquarters.

On 21 March the Kittyhawks of 75 Squadron deployed to Port Moresby to commence an epic 44-day defence of the area. When the final aircraft was withdrawn on 7 May they had destroyed 18, probably destroyed another four, and damaged 29 enemy aircraft in aerial combat for the loss of 21 aircraft and 12 pilots. The unit was withdrawn as the US Navy fought and won the Battle of the Coral Sea. The combination of 75 and 76 Squadrons were a 'decisive factor' in the defeat of a Japanese invasion at Milne Bay between 25 August-7 September 1942. This battle, when combined with the repulse of the Japanese along the Kokoda trail and the US Marines landing at Guadalcanal, marked the change from the defensive to the offensive in the South West Pacific Area.

1943 was to prove the most active period for the RAAF in Papua New Guinea. Beauforts of 9 Operational Group attacked Rabaul, and Port Moresby-based units supported Army operations at Buna, Gona and Sanananda. It was during these operations that the Flight Lieutenant 'Bill' Newton was awarded the VC. His award was for sustained valour during strikes on Lae and Salamaua, specifically for action on 16 March 1943. Next day he was shot down, captured by the Japanese and executed. Newton's posthumous award was gazetted on 21 October 1943.

The RAAF was involved in the landings at Cape Gloucester in New Britain, Aitape on the Northern coast of New Guinea, Hollandia, Biak, Noemfoor and Morotai. From the latter bases Australian fighters interdicted enemy communications in the Halmahera Island and Celebes. These advances were supported by long-range strikes by Liberator aircraft based in the Northern Territory. RAAF Airfield Construction Squadrons (ACS) were in the vanguard, often landing with the assault troops to prepare airfields for further aerial operations. In addition, Australian Wireless Units were an integral part of the Allied Signal Intelligence gathering organisation. Significantly, these two types of units were the only RAAF units involved in the landings in the Philippines. The reputation of Australian Catalina flying boat crews was enhanced by the long-range mining of ports at Hong Kong, along the Chinese coast, at Balikpapan and at Surabaya. These mines restricted Japanese maritime commerce to a significant degree. The final campaigns undertaken by the RAAF were in support of the landings at Tarakan, Labuan and Balikpapan in Borneo.

When the armistice with Japan was signed on 15 August 1945, the RAAF in the Pacific had a total strength of 131,662 personnel and 3187 front line aircraft. First Tactical Air Force, the major operational formation, had grown to 18,894 men in April 1945 and contained 20 operational squadrons. In addition to its execution of numerous air operations, the RAAF had also joined in the development and operation of radar and operated its own shipping in the South West Pacific Area. The RAAF legacy of World War II is a proud one.

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Volunteers were called from members of the RAAF to participate with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) in the occupation of Japan. The aerial component of BCOF, British Commonwealth Air Group (BCAir) comprised RAAF 81 (Fighter) Wing and units from Britain, India and New Zealand. 81 (Fighter) Wing arrived at Kure, Japan, on 21 February 1946. The Mustang aircraft were ferried from Labuan. Tragically three 82 Squadron aircraft and their escorting Mosquito crashed near Shikoku on 19 March 1946. The Wing consisted of 76, 77 and 82 Squadrons (Fighter), 381 (Base) Squadron and 481 (Maintenance) Squadron. 5ACS was utilised to refurbish the main operational airfields, Iwakuni, Miho and Bofu. The Wing flew surveillance patrols to monitor the movements of vessels in the Inland Sea and undertook an effective training program. The British Government withdrew national forces from BCAir in 1948, making the RAAF the sole aerial representative of the Commonwealth in Japan. The Australian commitment also decreased with the disbandment of 76 and 82 Squadrons leaving 77 Squadron to serve in Japan until it was ordered back to Australia in 1950. But this order was not to be actioned.

At the end of World War II, Germany was divided into Allied Occupied Zones. While Berlin was geographically located in the Russian Zone, authority over the city was divided between British, French, Russian and United States authorities. During the first six months of 1948, the Russian authorities progressively restricted ground access to the city of Berlin, cutting off the Allied zones from basic commodities. The Allied solution to the problem was to supply Berlin by air. To meet a shortfall of RAF aircrew for this major commitment, ten RAAF crews were sent to fly British RAF Dakotas from Lubeck to Gatow. The RAAF aircrew transported 7968 tonnes of freight and 6964 passengers during 2062 sorties and 6041 flying hours. The last flight was made on 26 August 1949. An Australian Dakota (A65-69) was presented for display at the Gatow Berlin Airlift Museum on 20 June 1980.

During the period of the Berlin Airlift, the Communist Party of Malaya commenced terrorist activities aimed at gaining independence for the Malayan people. The RAAF contribution to the subsequent anti-guerilla operations (RAF Operation Firedog) was the deployment of 1 Squadron and its Lincoln bombers and the Dakotas of 38 Squadron. The latter operated from Changi on Singapore Island from June 1950 (with a detachment at Kuala Lumpur in April-July 1951) until November 1952. The squadron moved supplies, passengers and cargo on scheduled services, resupplied army patrols and dropped propaganda leaflets. The Lincolns of 1 Squadron were based at Tengah, Singapore. In the period 1950 to 1958 the squadron dropped 85 per cent of the total tonnage of bombs expended during Operation Firedog.

In August 1955, 2ACS deployed to Butterworth to rehabilitate the airfield prior to the movement of the Canberra bombers of 2 Squadron and the Sabres of 3 and 77 Squadrons in 1958. In 1971 a detachment of Mirage fighters was based at Tengah, Singapore, after the withdrawal of RAF Lightning fighters. The RAAF took a leading operational role in Five Power Defence Arrangements announced after the withdrawal of British armed forces in the same year. There were moments of tension. Between January 1963 and August 1966 the Indonesian policy of 'confrontation' against the nascent Malaysian nation involved the RAAF. Units were placed at readiness at Butterworth to meet possible enemy incursions and Sabre fighters from 3 and 77 Squadrons flew border patrols over Borneo from the airfield at Labuan. The RAAF also committed a single squadron of Sabres (79 Squadron) to meet South-East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) commitments to the air defence of Thailand from June 1962 until July 1968. The RAAF retained a Mirage squadron at Butterworth until 1988, and the Orion aircraft of 92 Wing (together with an administrative unit) currently maintain the Air Force presence in Malaysia.

With the deployment to Malaya in 1950 there was a probability of action. For the men of 77 Squadron who were due to return to Australia from Japan in 1950, action became a reality. On 25 June 1950, North Korean troops invaded South Korea. 77 Squadron was offered to the United Nations force established to counter the invasion and commenced operations from Iwakuni on 2 July. The squadron flew close support, tactical reconnaissance and interdiction missions in support of the retreat of the United Nations and Republic of Korea forces to the Pusan perimeter. Operations were staged through the base at Taegu and the squadron deployed to Pohang and then Hamhung on the Korean peninsula in December 1950. It covered the retreat of the US 1st Marine Division from the Chosin Reservoir after the intervention of Chinese Communist forces. 77 Squadron withdrew to Pusan. During April 1951 the squadron moved to Iwakuni to convert to Meteor Mk 8 fighters. The first RAAF jet fighter operation was flown on 29 July 1951, but it was not until 25 August that the first Meteor-v-Mig-15 combat took place. 77 Squadron was credited with its first victory on 1 December, but it was obvious that the English fighter was no match for the more modern Russian jet. Despite the inferior performance of the Meteor, the Australians still maintained a creditable 'kill' ratio. Mig-15's succeeded in destroying four and damaging nine Meteors. The Australians claimed to have destroyed five and damaged another five of the enemy fighters. From February 1952 until the end of the war, 77 Squadron flew mainly ground support missions, combat air patrols and escort missions. A total of 30 pilots were killed in action, including the first commander - Wing Commander Spence - on 9 September 1950.

The Dakotas of No.30 Communications Unit (renamed 36 Squadron in March 1953) operated from Iwakuni during the Korean War, flying freight to Korea and evacuating wounded soldiers to hospitals in Japan.

Another aspect of the 'Cold War' involving the RAAF was the deployment of 78 Wing to Malta from July 1952 until February 1954. Like the Berlin Airlift, Australia supplied aircrew; unlike that commitment, families, technical and administrative personnel from 75 and 76 (Fighter) Squadrons, 378 Base Squadron and 478 (Maintenance) Squadron travelled to Malta. The Wing flew Vampire FB-9 aircraft leased from the RAF and contributed to the air defence of the Middle East. The pilots participated in NATO exercises, Army and Navy cooperation tasks and regular air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons practices. The highlight of the deployment was the Wing's participation in the royal review in England to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the subsequent NATO Exercise 'Coronet' staged in Germany. For the members of the Wing it was a unique experience. None had experienced an exercise of this magnitude - over 2000 aircraft and 40,000 personnel.

RAAF units were an important element in the Australian military commitment to the Vietnam War. The initial involvement was the Caribou aircraft of the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam (renamed 35 Squadron on 1 June 1966) that arrived at Vung Tau on 8 August 1964. The unit operated 'in country' until 26 February 1972. 'Wallaby Airlines', as the unit was affectionately called, operated a variety of missions ranging from daily freight runs to Saigon to the support (sometimes under enemy fire) of Special Force units. Three Caribous were destroyed (one to enemy mortar fire at That Son on 29 March 1970) and another two had to be returned to Australia for major repairs. The second RAAF unit to deploy was 9 Squadron, which arrived at Vung Tau in May 1966. Operations included troop insertions and extractions, 'dust off' of wounded soldiers, reconnaissance, fire support missions and aerial spraying. In 1968 Squadron Leader Brian Dirou and the armament personnel modified UH-1H Iroquois helicopters to gunships carrying a forward mounted 7.62 mm mini-gun, a rocket launcher and two M60 door-mounted machine guns. 9 Squadron departed from Vung Tau in December 1971 and returned to RAAF Base Amberley. Overall 9 Squadron suffered six fatal casualties and lost six helicopters during operations in South Vietnam.

The final operational squadron to deploy to Vietnam was No.2. It flew Canberra bombers out of Phan Rang air base from April 1967 until June 1971. During its service with the USAF 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, the squadron accounted for 16 per cent of the Wing's assessed bomb damage. Missions were radar directed (Skyspot) and low-level visual bombing; the latter proved most effective. There was a price. Canberra A84-231 and crew (Flying Officer M.P.J. Herbert and Pilot Officer R.C. Carver) went missing on 3 November 1970 while flying a Skyspot mission. Wing Commander F.J.L. Downing and Flight Lieutenant A.J. Pinches were shot down by a surface-to-air missile on 14 March 1971. Both were rescued.

Logistic support and medical evacuations were supplied by the Hercules from Richmond, New South Wales. Air Defence Guards secured RAAF facilites at Vung Tau and Phan Rang that had been developed by detachments from 2ACS. The RAAF in Vietnam accepted 333 bravery awards. Two are of special note. Sergeant Gordon Buttriss was awarded a George Medal on 18 October 1966 and Corporal J.D. Coughlan a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal on 3 October 1967 for bravery while extracting crewmen from crashed helicopters.

During the Gulf War of 1991, the RAAF supported the RAN deployment to the Persian Gulf and were on standby at Cyprus to evacuate Australian nationals. Boeing 707 Tanker aircraft from 33 Squadron flew to the Gulf during March/May 1998 to support Allied air operations in the region.

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United Nations Commitments

RAAF forces have been involved in numerous United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. These include the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan from March 1975 until January 1979. 38 Squadron operated a Caribou and 12 crew members on a six-month tour of duty. The aircraft was based on rotation at Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and Srinigar, Kashmir. The aircraft flew resupply and border patrols. The Caribou, with a fully loaded ceiling of 21,000 feet was operating in an area where 33 mountains topped 25,000 feet and weather conditions varied from dust to snow.

The Second UN Emergency Force was established to supervise the cease-fire in the Sinai following the Yom Kippur War. The RAAF contributed four Iroquois helicopters and 46 personnel at Ismailia on a six-monthly rotational basis from 1976 until 1979. Later, based at El Gorah, the RAAF provided helicopter transport for observers conducting verification and reconnaissance missions in the four treaty zones established as a result of the Camp David Accords of September 1978. The Iroquois helicopters were painted white and bore UN markings.

Individual RAAF members have participated in UN-sponsored peacekeeping activities in Korea, Indonesia, Persian Gulf, Namibia, Cambodia and Somalia. In the majority of cases where Australian troops have been involved in UN peacekeeping operations they have been supported by the long range C-130 Hercules and Boeing 707 fleets.

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Women In The Service

During World War Two over 27,000 women enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF). There were also 632 Nursing Sisters.

Authority was given to raise the WAAAF with a strength of 320 on 4 February 1941. The initial intake was designed to meet a deficiency in the number of male wireless telegraphists but it was soon evident that young women were keen and capable of undertaking other technical tasks. At the end of the war, women were employed in 73 trades as diverse as fabric workers, photographers, engine fitters,1 clerks, cooks and meteorological assistants. Over 700 young women were commissioned and employed in administrative and professional tasks. It has been recorded that women commanded at least two RAAF Radar Units for short periods.

Miss Clare Stevenson (later Group Officer) was appointed Director of the WAAAF in June 1941, and her inspiration and dedication were the basis for the success of the organisation.

The WAAAF was demobilised in 1947. However, the value of women to the Service could not be denied and the Women's Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) was raised in 1950. The first recruits commenced training at Laverton on 30 January 1951 and joined a Service in which there were differing conditions of service for male and female members. It was not until 1972 that female and male pay rates reached equilibrium. In 1975 many non-traditional areas were opened to female recruits with female cadets being accepted as engineering cadets.

During 1977 all members of the WRAAF were transferred to the RAAF, and women could contest promotion and training without discrimination. Today women are employed in most musterings with restrictions having been placed on ground combat related tasks. The first women pilots were enlisted in 1987 with Robyn Williams and Deborah Hicks being the first to graduate. The first female to attain air rank was Air Commodore Julie Hammer CSC, a graduate in electronics engineering from the University of Queensland, who was appointed in December 1999 and has subsequently been promoted to Air Vice-Marshal.

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Prior to 1938, the RAAF enlisted technical tradesmen with ex-AFC/RAF experience or from appropriate civilian technical organisations. However, with the expansion of the RAAF in the late 1930's, it became essential to train technicians using RAAF resources. During December 1939, No.1 School of Technical Training was established at Laverton, Victoria. This was the first of seven such schools established to train RAAF men and women in all the 'aircraft' technical trades during World War II. At the end of the conflict approximately 70,000 trainees had graduated from these seven units. In addition, specialised training had been given at Air Armament Schools, Radar School, School of Photography, School of Radio and the Works Training Unit.

Since 1948 the major site for technical training within the Air Force has been located at RAAF Base Forrest Hill, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. No.1 Technical Training School became the RAAF School of Technical Training which undertook all 'aircraft' trade training. The school trained technicians in Airframe, Electrical, Armament, Instrument, Engines, Electronics and Motor Transport trades, as well as non-technical trades for cooks, clerks and logistics professionals. Technical training is currently undertaken by the New South Wales Technical and Further Education organisation under contract.

An important innovation instigated by the RAAF to train technicians was the Apprentice Training Scheme for boys between 15 and 17 years of age. The first intake was in 1948 and when the scheme ceased in 1993 a total of 5478 engineer and radio apprentices had graduated.

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