Royal Australian Air Force Archives

RAAF combat systems officer Flight Lieutenant Cameron McKinnon works at the C-130J Hercules aircraft's augmented crew station to capture imagery of the damage in Tonga. Story by Eamon Hamilton. Photo by Sergeant David Gibbs.

Hercules brings unique insight to Tonga response

25/01/202225/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 107 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, HQJOC, No. 37 Squadron, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

A specially-modified Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules transport aircraft has proven its value over Tonga following the underwater volcanic

Two F/A-18F Super Hornets from No. 1 Squadron A44-211 (left) and A44-218, depart RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Flying Officer Robert Hodgson. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Emma Schwenke.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

New Super Hornet crews graduate

25/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 86 Views 0 Comments F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

The Royal Australian Air Force’s latest F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews completed their operational conversion training late last year. CAPTION: Two

Pallets of humanitarian assistance and engineering equipment bound for Tonga, are loaded onto a RAAF C-17A Globemaster III, at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Eamon Hamilton. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Emma Schwenke.

New Zealand News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Relief arrives in Tonga

25/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 90 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, COVID-19, No. 36 Squadron, NZDF, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III has delivered urgently needed relief to Tonga following a volcanic eruption and

RAAF personnel unload humanitarian assistance and engineering equipment from a C-17A Globemaster III aircraft at Fua’amotu international airport in Tonga. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Emma Schwenke.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos

ADF supports Australia’s response to Tonga

25/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 89 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, COVID-19, HMAS Adelaide, Operation Tonga Assist 2022

The Australian Defence Force is supporting Tonga following the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano on January 15.

One of latest F-35A Lightning II aircraft (A35-040) arrives back to RAAF Base WIlliamtown after ferrying from the United States. Story by Alisha Welch. Photo by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry

Contract supports F-35A maintenance and supply

20/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 360 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, RAAF Tindal, RAAF Williamtown

Defence recently signed a five-year contract with BAE Systems Australia for the provision of support to Royal Australian Air Force

The first No. 37 Squadron C-130J Hercules with Block 8.1 upgrades taxis through the bird bath after returning to RAAF Base Richmond. Photo by Corporal David Said

News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry

New Hercules on the block

20/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 821 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, RAAF Richmond

The first Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules to be upgraded to Block 8.1 standard hardware and software has arrived

Armament Technicians from No. 3 Squadron, load a new Australian manufactured Bomb Live Unit (BLU 111) configured as a Guided Bomb Unit (GBU-12) onto F-35A Lightning II aircraft A35-040 at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Flying Officer Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology

Homemade warheads introduced into service

20/01/202223/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 528 Views 1 Comment F-35A Lightning II, MQ-9B Sky Guardian, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

Sovereign sustainability has taken a leap, with No. 81 Wing accepting and successfully expending the first Australian manufactured BLU-111(AUS)B/B. CAPTION:

A C-130J Hercules departs RAAF Base Richmond, NSW, to assist the Government of Tonga after the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano. Photo by Corporal Kylie Gibson.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos

ADF supports Australia’s response in Tonga

20/01/202223/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 328 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, HMAS Adelaide, P-8A Poseidon, Tongan volcano 2022

The Australian Defence Force is supporting the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) as it coordinates Australia’s support Tonga

Deputy Secretary Security and Estate Group Celia Perkins and Chief Joint Operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton conduct a sod-turning ceremony to mark the start of upgrade works at HQJOC. Photo by Nicole Mankowski.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Sovereign industry

Upgrades underway at Joint Operations Command

20/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 443 Views 0 Comments HQJOC

The first stage of work to modernise Headquarters Joint Operations Command’s (HQJOC) General John Baker Complex at Bungendore has begun.

Air Force imagery specialists, from No. 464 Squadron, take imagery on the RAAF Base Richmond flightline. Story by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello. Photo by Corporal Dan Pinhorn.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

A glimpse inside RAAF photography

08/01/202208/01/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1571 Views 7 Comments photography

Capturing the realities of war took a leap forward with the invention of photography in the 1800s. CAPTION: Royal Australian

Pilot Officer Rachel Ibbotson, Flight Lieutenant Felicity Shearer, ADF Director General Legal Air Commodore Patrick Keane, Squadron Leader Courtney Westphal, Pilot Officer Allisha Harvey and Pilot Officer Jarrad Salmon. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Aldred. Photo by Private Jacob Joseph.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF sets a legal record

21/12/202123/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 895 Views 0 Comments

When five new Royal Australian Air Force legal officers were admitted to the ACT Supreme Court, it was the highest

A Royal Australian Air Force officer receives a brief during Exercise Yama Sakura 81 in Japan. Story by Captain Michael Trainor.

Asia Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

1 Div observers in Japan for major CP exercise

21/12/202121/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 412 Views 0 Comments Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF)

ADF personnel this month observed one of the largest joint, bilateral command post exercises undertaken in recent times. CAPTION: A Royal

Leading Aircraftwoman Chantelle Bradford and Nailsworth Primary School student Lachlan enjoy the interactive experience of the Science Alive! expo in Adelaide. Story by Leading Aircraftwoman Jasna McFeeters. Photo by Corporal Brenton Kwaterski.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology

RAAF inspires at Adelaide expo

16/12/202121/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 418 Views 0 Comments STEM

Fifth-generation cutting-edge air force technology inspired thousands of young minds and professionals alike at the two-day Science Alive! Expo at

Former Women's Royal Australian Air Force member Valarie Rappold is shown how to fly the P-8 Poseidon simulator by No. 11 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant Larissa Stephens at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nat Giles. Photo by Corporal Brenton Kwaterski.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Tales of the past surprise

16/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 619 Views 0 Comments No. 292 Squadron

The female members of the logistics’ section of Air Force’s No. 92 Wing hosted two special visitors on November 19.

Governor-General General (retd) David Hurley inspects the graduating officers of the RAAF Initial Officer Course 06/21, escorted by parade commander Pilot Officer David Darnell at RAAF Base Point Cook. Story by Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell. Photo by Leading Seaman James McDougall.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Back on parade at birthplace of Air Force

16/12/202119/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 490 Views 0 Comments RAAF Point Cook

The Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) commemorated the Royal Australian Air Force’s centenary by holding a graduation parade on

CEO of The Air Force Shop Stephen Davie, left, Director General Air Force 2021 Air Commodore Andrew Elfverson and General Manager TLA Merchandise Terry Wilson at the presentation of funds raised through Air Force centenary merchandise sales. Story by Squadron Leader Bruce Chalmers.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

History preserved through merchandise sales

16/12/202117/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 451 Views 0 Comments

Royal Australian Air Force centenary commemorations have also ensured history is preserved, with funds generated from merchandise sales donated to

An Air Force C-17A Globemaster III from No. 36 Squadron delivers a drill rig to to Wilkins Aerodrome in Antarctica as part of Operation Southern Discovery. Story by Eamon Hamilton.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Special delivery crucial to climate research

10/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 627 Views 0 Comments Australian Antarctic Division, C-17A Globemaster III, No. 36 Squadron, Operation Southern Discovery

An early Christmas present has been delivered to Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) scientists by an Air Force C-17A Globemaster III.

RAAF Dog Handlers Association members Ray Thomas, right, and Kim Hodgeo add another member's name to the RAAF Dog Handlers Association wall of remembrance at the RAAF Security and Fire School, RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Emma Schwenke.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Special bond: remembrance wall unveiled

10/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 548 Views 0 Comments Amberley, Remembrance

The Royal Australian Air Force Security and Fire School (RAAFSFS) has unveiled its remembrance wall for military dog handlers at

Flying Officer Johnathan Gough, a Combat Systems Officer with No. 37 Squadron, stands in front of a C-130J Hercules aircraft which is fitted with a Litening sensor pod on its wing. Story by Eamon Hamilton. Photo by Corporal Kylie Gibson.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology Videos

Demonstration flight became real mission mid air

07/12/202109/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2223 Views 0 Comments C-130J Hercules, No. 37 Squadron

A demonstration flight for an upgraded RAAF Hercules transport aircraft became a mission to support flood-affected communities in regional NSW.

Since their arrival in 1985, the Classic Hornets have made an extraordinary contribution to Australia’s air power, including in theatres of operations such as Operations Slipper, Falconer and Okra. After more than 30 years of dedicated service, and nearly 408,000 total flying hours, the F/A-18A/B Hornet fleet will transition to the advanced lethality, survivability, and supportability delivered by the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

End of Era F/A-18A/B ‘classic’ Hornet video montage

03/12/202108/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 446 Views 0 Comments F/A-18A/B Hornets

F/A-18A and F/A-18B ‘classic’ Hornets formally retired from service on Monday 29 November 2021, as the Royal Australian Air Force

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