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Facts About the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

• The Air Force began in 1914 as the 'Australian Flying Corps'. Although it is one of the oldest air forces in the world, it is actually the youngest of the three armed services in the Australian Defence Force (Navy, Army, Air Force).
• On 31 March, 1921 the Australian Flying Corps became known as the 'Royal Australian Air Force' and at this time had only 21 officers, 128 airmen and 152 aircraft.
• By September, 1939 (the beginning of World War II) the Air Force had 310 officers, 3,179 airmen and 246 aircraft. This grew to an incredible 182,000 personnel and 6,200 aircraft by the end of the war!
• Today, the Air Force employs about 13,500 men and women. They are supported by 2,800 Air Force Reservists and 900 public servants at 11 major bases and many offices across Australia.
• The primary role of Australia's Air Force is to defend Australia's people, security and interests.
• The Air Force motto, 'Per Ardua ad Astra' (in Latin), which appears at the bottom of the official RAAF badge, means 'Through Struggle to the Stars'.
• When the Air Force was formed in 1921, it adopted the existing red, white and blue roundel of the (British) Royal Air Force to identify its aircraft. However, during World War II, the inner red circle was removed after a No. 11 Squadron Catalina was mistaken for a Japanese aircraft.
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  On 2 July, 1956 the hopping Red Kangaroo was chosen for the centre of the circle of the Air Force Roundel. It is still proudly displayed on aircraft and promotional materials. The kangaroo always faces left, except if used on aircraft or vehicles, when it faces to the front.
• The blue RAAF uniform is generally worn when working in an office, or for special occassions. Aircrew wear green flying suits, while people on special exercises or operations wear camouflage uniforms.
• The Air Force has an elite flying display team called the Roulettes which performs thrilling aerobatic manoeuvres at public events throughout Australia.
• The Australian Air Force Cadets is a fantastic organisation that gives kids aged between 13 and 18 years a taste of Air Force life while they are still at school.
• The Air Force has a fun website especially for kids, called Air Force Multimedia Site (Multimedia.AirForce.gov.au).

To discover more about any of these facts, go to www.airforce.gov.au