Editing Royal Australian Air Force (section)

==History==
{{Main|History of the Royal Australian Air Force}}

===Formation===
The RAAF traces its history back to the [[1911 Imperial Conference]] that was held in London, where it was decided aviation should be developed within the armed forces of the [[British Empire]]. Australia implemented this decision, the first dominion to do so, by approving the establishment of the "Australian Aviation Corps". This initially consisted of the [[Central Flying School RAAF|Central Flying School]] at [[Point Cook, Victoria]], opening on 22 October 1912.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raaf.gov.au/history/ww1.aspx |title=Australian Military Aviation and World War One |publisher=Royal Australian Air Force |access-date=26 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623132435/http://www.raaf.gov.au/History/ww1.aspx |archive-date=23 June 2010 }}</ref> By 1914 the corps was known as the "Australian Flying Corps".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_10831.asp |publisher=Australian War Memorial |title=Australian Flying Corps |access-date=24 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926121034/http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_10831.asp |archive-date=26 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===First World War===
[[File:McCaughey Battleplane slnsw.jpg|thumb|Australian Flying Corps Bristol [[Bristol F.2 Fighter|Fighter F-2B]] (McCaughey Battleplane), Palestine, 1918]]
{{Main|Australian Flying Corps}}
{{See also|Military history of Australia during World War I}}
Soon after the outbreak of war in 1914, the Australian Flying Corps sent aircraft to assist in capturing [[German New Guinea|German colonies]] in what is now north-east [[New Guinea]]. However, these colonies surrendered quickly, before the planes were even unpacked. The first operational flights did not occur until 27 May 1915, when the [[Mesopotamian Half Flight]] was called upon to assist the [[British Indian Army|Indian Army]] in providing air support during the [[Mesopotamian Campaign]] against the [[Ottoman Empire]], in what is now [[Iraq]].<ref>Dennis et al. 2008, pp. 61–62.</ref>

The corps later saw action in [[Egypt]], [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] and on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] throughout the remainder of the First World War. By the end of the war, four squadrons—[[No. 1 Squadron RAAF|Nos. 1]], [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|2]], [[No. 3 Squadron RAAF|3]] and [[No. 4 Squadron RAAF|4]]—had seen operational service, while another four training squadrons—[[No. 5 Squadron RAAF|Nos. 5]], [[No. 6 Squadron RAAF|6]], [[No. 7 Squadron RAAF|7]] and [[No. 8 Squadron RAAF|8]]—had also been established. A total of 460 officers and 2,234 other ranks served in the AFC, whilst another 200 men served as aircrew in the British flying services.<ref>Grey 1999, pp. 114–115.</ref> Casualties included 175 dead, 111 wounded, 6 gassed and 40 captured.<ref>Beaumont 2001, p. 214.</ref>

===Inter-war period===
The Australian Flying Corps remained part of the [[Australian Army]] until 1919, when it was disbanded along with the [[First Australian Imperial Force]] (AIF). Although the Central Flying School continued to operate at Point Cook, military flying virtually ceased until 1920, when the interim Australian Air Corps (AAC), with a wing each for the Army and the Navy,<ref name=mhhv /> was formed as a unit of the Army.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://airforce2021.airforce.gov.au/journey |title=Our Journey |website= [[RAAF]] |access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref> The AAC was succeeded by the Australian Air Force which was formed on 31 March 1921.<ref name=Oxford>{{cite book|title= Australian Air Corps|via= The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History|year= 2008|publisher= [[Oxford Reference]]|isbn= 978-0-19-551784-2|access-date= 26 January 2018|url= http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195517842.001.0001/acref-9780195517842-e-92|url-access= subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/about-us/history |title=History of the Air Force |website=[[RAAF]] |date=3 November 2017 |access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="interwar" /> [[George V|King George V]] approved the prefix "Royal" in May 1921 and became effective on 13 August 1921.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Commonwealth of Australia |title=Order |journal=Gazette |date=18 August 1921 |issue=65}}</ref> The RAAF then became the second Royal air arm to be formed in the [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]], following the British [[Royal Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/| title=RAAF Museum Point Cook| publisher=Royal Australian Air Force| access-date=7 June 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622124440/http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/| archive-date=22 June 2012| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref> When formed the RAAF had more aircraft than personnel, with 21 officers and 128 other ranks and 153 aircraft.<ref name="interwar">{{cite web| url=http://www.airforce.gov.au/History/interwar.aspx| title=RAAF – The Inter-war years 1921 to 1939| publisher=Royal Australian Air Force| access-date=7 June 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612113132/http://www.airforce.gov.au/history/interwar.aspx| archive-date=12 June 2012| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref>

As British aircraft manufacturers at the time were unable to meet Australian requirements, in addition to British production demands, the Australian government established the [[Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation]] in 1936 and purchased some American aircraft.<ref>Spencer 2020, pp. 206–207</ref>

===Second World War===
{{See also|Military history of Australia during World War II}}

====Europe and the Mediterranean====
In September 1939, the [[Air Board (Australia)|Australian Air Board]] directly controlled the Air Force via [[RAAF Station Laverton]], [[RAAF Base Richmond|RAAF Station Richmond]], [[RAAF Base Pearce|RAAF Station Pearce]], [[No. 1 Flying Training School RAAF]] at Point Cook, [[RAAF Base Rathmines|RAAF Station Rathmines]] and five smaller units.<ref>{{cite web |author=Dr. Leo Niehorster |url=http://niehorster.org/017_britain/39_raf/RAAF/_raaf.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810172949/http://www.niehorster.org/017_britain/39_raf/RAAF/_raaf.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 August 2015 |title=Royal Australian Air Force, 03.09.1939 |publisher=Orbat.com |access-date=28 April 2013 }}</ref>

In 1939, just after the outbreak of the Second World War, Australia joined the [[Australia and the Empire Air Training Scheme|Empire Air Training Scheme]], under which flight crews received basic training in Australia before travelling to Canada for advanced training. A total of 17 RAAF bomber, fighter, reconnaissance and other squadrons served initially in Britain and with the [[Desert Air Force]] located in North Africa and the [[Mediterranean]]. Thousands of Australians also served with other Commonwealth air forces in Europe during the Second World War.<ref name=Barnes3/> About nine percent of the personnel who served under British RAF commands in Europe and the Mediterranean were RAAF personnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ww2australia.gov.au/raaf/explore.html|title=Explore: 'The Angry Sky'|publisher=[[Department of Veterans' Affairs]]|access-date=24 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711010358/http://ww2australia.gov.au/raaf/explore.html|archive-date=11 July 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

With British manufacturing targeted by the German [[Luftwaffe]], in 1941 the Australian government created the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP; later known as the [[Government Aircraft Factories]]) to supply Commonwealth air forces,<ref>Dennis et al. 2008, p. 277.</ref> and the RAAF was eventually provided with large numbers of locally built versions of British designs such as the [[Bristol Beaufort|DAP Beaufort]] [[torpedo bomber]], [[Bristol Beaufighter|Beaufighters]] and [[De Havilland Mosquito|Mosquitos]], as well as other types such as [[CAC Wirraway|Wirraways]], [[CAC Boomerang|Boomerangs]], and [[North American P-51 Mustang|Mustangs]].<ref name=Barnes3>Barnes 2000, p. 3.</ref>

In the [[European theatre of World War II|European theatre]] of the war, RAAF personnel were especially notable in [[RAF Bomber Command]]: although they represented just two percent of all Australian enlistments during the war, they accounted for almost twenty percent of those killed in action. [[No. 460 Squadron RAAF]], mostly flying [[Avro Lancaster]]s from 1942, had an official establishment of about 200 aircrew and yet had 1,018 combat deaths of which about half were Australian.<ref>{{cite book |last=Barnes |first=Norman |title=The RAAF and the Flying Squadrons |publisher=Allen & Unwin |year=2000 |isbn=1-86508-130-2 |location=St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia |pages=299}}</ref> The squadron was therefore effectively wiped out five times over.<ref>Stephens 2006, p. 96.</ref> Total RAAF casualties in Europe were 5,488 killed or missing.<ref name=Barnes3/>

[[File:Kittyhawk IA RAAF.jpg|thumb|[[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk|Curtiss Kittyhawk]] Mk IA of 75 Squadron RAAF, which F/O Geoff Atherton flew over New Guinea in August 1942]]

====Pacific War====
[[File:BrewsterBuffalosMkIRAAFSingaporeOctober1941.jpg|thumb|The [[Brewster F2A Buffalo]] participated in air campaigns over [[Battle of Malaya|Malayan]], [[Battle of Singapore|Singapore]] and [[Netherlands East Indies|Dutch East Indies]].]]

The beginning of the [[Pacific War]]—and the rapid advance of [[Empire of Japan|Japan]]ese forces—threatened the Australian mainland for the first time in its history. The RAAF was quite unprepared for the emergency, and initially had negligible forces available for service in the Pacific. In 1941 and early 1942, many RAAF airmen, including Nos. 1, 8, [[No. 21 Squadron RAAF|21]] and [[No. 453 Squadron RAAF|453 Squadron]]s, saw action with the [[Far East Air Force (Royal Air Force)|RAF Far East Command]] in the [[Battle of Malaya|Malayan]], [[Battle of Singapore|Singapore]] and [[Netherlands East Indies|Dutch East Indies campaigns]]. Equipped with aircraft such as the [[Brewster Buffalo]], and [[Lockheed Hudson]]s, the Australian squadrons suffered heavily against Japanese Zeros.<ref>Armstrong, p. 44.</ref>

During the [[Battle of Rabaul (1942)|fighting for Rabaul]] in early 1942, [[No. 24 Squadron RAAF]] fought a brief, but ultimately futile defence as the Japanese advanced south towards Australia.<ref name=Armstrong45>Armstrong, p. 45.</ref> The devastating [[Bombing of Darwin (February 1942)|air raids on Darwin]] on 19 February 1942 increased concerns about the direct threat facing Australia. In response, some RAAF squadrons were transferred from the [[northern hemisphere]]—although a substantial number remained there until the end of the war. Shortages of fighter and [[close air support|ground attack]] planes led to the acquisition of US-built [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk|Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks]] and the rapid design and manufacture of the first Australian fighter, the [[CAC Boomerang]]. RAAF Kittyhawks came to play a crucial role in the [[New Guinea]] and [[Solomon Islands]] campaigns, especially in operations like the [[Battle of Milne Bay]]. As a response to a possible Japanese chemical warfare threat the RAAF imported hundreds of thousands of chemical weapons into Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mustardgas.org|title=Chemical Warfare in Australia|publisher=Geoff Plunkett|access-date=24 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911232858/http://www.mustardgas.org/|archive-date=11 September 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[Battle of the Bismarck Sea]], imported [[Bristol Beaufighter]]s proved to be highly effective ground attack and maritime strike aircraft. Beaufighters were later made locally by the DAP from 1944.<ref>Dennis et al. 2008, p. 81.</ref> Although it was much bigger than Japanese fighters, the Beaufighter had the speed to outrun them.<ref>Taylor and Taylor 1978, p. 48.</ref> The RAAF [[Consolidated PBY Catalina in Royal Australian Air Force service|operated]] a number of [[Consolidated PBY Catalina]] as long-range bombers and scouts. The RAAF's [[heavy bomber]] force was predominantly made up of 287 [[B-24 Liberator]]s, equipping seven squadrons, which could bomb Japanese targets as far away as [[Borneo]] and the Philippines from airfields in Australia and New Guinea.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/subject_689.asp |title=Consolidated B24 Liberator |publisher=Australian War Memorial |access-date=10 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110103252/http://www.awm.gov.au/units/subject_689.asp |archive-date=10 November 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> By late 1945, the RAAF had received or ordered about 500 [[P-51 Mustang]]s, for fighter/ground attack purposes. The [[Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation]] initially assembled US-made Mustangs, but later manufactured most of those used.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/subject_709.asp |title=North American P51 Mustang |publisher=Australian War Memorial |access-date=10 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110103234/http://www.awm.gov.au/units/subject_709.asp |archive-date=10 November 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

By mid-1945, the RAAF's main operational formation in the Pacific, the [[Australian First Tactical Air Force|First Tactical Air Force]] (1st TAF), consisted of over 21,000 personnel, while the RAAF as a whole consisted of about 50 squadrons and 6,000 aircraft, of which over 3,000 were operational.<ref>Sandler 2001, pp. 21–22</ref> The 1st TAF's final campaigns were fought in support of Australian ground forces in [[Borneo Campaign (1945)|Borneo]],<ref name=Sandler22>Sandler 2001, p. 22.</ref> but had the war continued some of its personnel and equipment would likely have been allocated to the [[Operation Downfall|invasion of the Japanese mainland]], along with some of the RAAF bomber squadrons in Europe, which were to be grouped together with British and Canadian squadrons as part of the proposed [[Tiger Force (air)|Tiger Force]]. However, the war was brought to a sudden end by the US [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|nuclear attack]]s on Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11175.asp |publisher=Australian War Memorial |title=467 Squadron RAAF |work=Second World War, 1939–1945 units |access-date=22 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925091441/http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11175.asp |archive-date=25 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The RAAF's casualties in the Pacific were around 2,000 killed, wounded or captured.<ref name=Sandler22/>

By the time the war ended, a total of 216,900 men and women served in the RAAF, of whom 10,562 were killed in action; a total of 76 squadrons were formed.<ref name="Eather 1995, p. 18">Eather 1995, p. 18.</ref> With over 152,000 personnel operating nearly 6,000 aircraft it was the world's fourth-largest air force.<ref>Eather 1996, p. xv.</ref>

===Cold War===

==== Postwar ====
[[File:Two Mirage III of the Royal Australian Air Force 1.JPEG|thumb|Two RAAF [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III]] fighters in 1980]]
During the [[Berlin Airlift]], in 1948–49, the [[RAAF Squadron Berlin Air Lift]] aided the international effort to fly in supplies to the stricken city; two RAF [[Avro York]] aircraft were also crewed by RAAF personnel. Although a small part of the operation, the RAAF contribution was significant, flying 2,062 sorties and carrying 7,030 tons of freight and 6,964 passengers.<ref>Eather 1996, p. 38.</ref>

In the [[Korean War]], from 1950 to 1953, North American Mustangs from [[No. 77 Squadron RAAF]], stationed in Japan with the [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]], were among the first United Nations aircraft to be deployed, in ground support, combat air patrol, and escort missions. When the UN planes were confronted by North Korean [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15]] jet fighters, 77 Sqn acquired [[Gloster Meteor]] jets, however the MiGs remained superior and the Meteors were relegated to ground support missions as the North Koreans gained experience. The air force also operated transport aircraft during the conflict. No. 77 Squadron flew 18,872 sorties, claiming the destruction of 3,700 buildings, 1,408 vehicles, 16 bridges, 98 railway carriages and an unknown number of enemy personnel. Three MiG-15s were confirmed destroyed, and two others probably destroyed. RAAF casualties included 41 killed and seven captured; 66 aircraft&nbsp;– 22 Mustangs and 44 Meteors&nbsp;– were lost.<ref>Eather 1996, p. 162.</ref>

In July 1952, [[No. 78 Wing RAAF]] was deployed to [[Malta]] in the Mediterranean where it formed part of a British force which sought to counter the Soviet Union's influence in the Middle East as part of Australia's Cold War commitments. Consisting of No. 75 and 76 Squadrons equipped with [[de Havilland Vampire]] jet fighters, the wing provided an air garrison for the island for the next two and half years, returning to Australia in late 1954.<ref>Eather 1996, pp. 172–183</ref>

In 1953, a [[Royal Air Force]] officer, Air Marshal Sir [[Donald Hardman]], was brought out to Australia to become Chief of the Air Staff.<ref>Millar 1969, pp. 114–115.</ref> He reorganised the RAAF into three commands: [[RAAF Home Command|Home Command]], [[RAAF Maintenance Command|Maintenance Command]], and [[RAAF Training Command|Training Command]]. Five years later, Home Command was renamed [[RAAF Operational Command|Operational Command]], and Training Command and Maintenance Command were amalgamated to form [[RAAF Support Command|Support Command]].<ref>Dennis et al. 2008, pp. 150–151.</ref>

==== South East Asia operations ====
[[File:AirForce over Iraq.jpg|thumb|An RAAF [[F/A-18]] with a [[USAF]] [[KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135]], two [[F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15E]]s, an [[F-117 Nighthawk|F-117]], two [[lockheed Martin F-16|F-16]]s and a [[RAF]] [[Panavia Tornado|Tornado]] over Iraq]]
In the [[Malayan Emergency]], from 1950 to 1960, six [[Avro Lincoln]]s heavy bombers from [[No. 1 Squadron RAAF]] and a flight of [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas Dakotas]] from [[No. 38 Squadron RAAF]] took part in operations against the communist guerrillas (labelled as "Communist Terrorists" by the British authorities) as part of the [[RAF Far East Air Force]]. The Dakotas were used on cargo runs, in troop movement and in paratrooper and leaflet drops within Malaya. The Lincolns, operating from bases in Singapore and from Kuala Lumpur, formed the backbone of the air war against the CTs, conducting bombing missions against their jungle bases. Although results were often difficult to assess, they allowed the government to harass CT forces, attack their base camps when identified and keep them on the move. Later, in 1958, Canberra bombers from [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF]] were deployed to Malaya and took part in bombing missions against the CTs.<ref>Eather 1996, pp. 40–77.</ref>

During the [[Vietnam War]], from 1964 to 1972, the RAAF contributed Caribou [[STOL]] transport aircraft as part of the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam, later redesignated [[No. 35 Squadron RAAF]], [[UH-1 Iroquois]] helicopters from [[No. 9 Squadron RAAF]], and [[English Electric Canberra]] bombers from [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF]]. The Canberras flew 11,963 bombing [[sortie]]s, and two aircraft were lost. One went missing during a bombing raid. The wreckage of the aircraft was recovered in April 2009, and the remains of the crew were found in late July 2009. The other was shot down by a [[surface-to-air missile]], although both crew were rescued. They dropped 76,389 bombs and were credited with 786 enemy personnel confirmed killed and a further 3,390 estimated killed, 8,637 structures, 15,568 bunkers, 1,267 sampans and 74 bridges destroyed.<ref>Coulthard-Clark 1995, p. 215.</ref> RAAF transport aircraft also supported [[anti-communist]] ground forces. The UH-1 helicopters were used in many roles including [[medical evacuation]] and close air support. RAAF casualties in Vietnam included six killed in action, eight non-battle fatalities, 30 wounded in action and 30 injured.<ref>Coulthard-Clark 1995, p. 351.</ref> A small number of RAAF pilots also served in United States Air Force units, flying [[F-4 Phantom]] fighter-bombers or serving as forward air controllers.<ref name=Barnes5>Barnes 2000, p. 5.</ref>

In September 1975, a group of 44 civilians, including armed supporters of the [[Timorese Democratic Union]] (UDT), commandeered an RAAF Caribou, ''A4-140'', on the ground at [[Baucau Airport]] in the then [[Portuguese Timor]], which was in the middle of a civil war. The Caribou had landed at Baucau on a humanitarian mission for the [[International Committee of the Red Cross]]. The civilians demanded that the RAAF crew members fly them to [[Darwin International Airport|Darwin Airport]] (also [[RAAF Base Darwin]]) in Australia, which they did. After the Caribou arrived there, the Australian government detained the civilians for a short period, and then granted refugee visas to all of them. ''[[The Guardian]]'' later described ''A4-140'' as "the only RAAF plane ever hijacked", and the incident as "one of the more remarkable stories in Australia's military and immigration history".<ref name="tg 2021-01-16">{{cite news |last1=Henriques-Gomes |first1=Luke |title='It was life or death': the plane-hijacking refugees Australia embraced |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/16/it-was-life-or-death-the-plane-hijacking-refugees-australia-embraced |access-date=17 January 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=16 January 2021}}</ref>

=== Recent history (1990–present) ===
[[File:RAAF (A44-222) FA 18F Super Hornet landing.jpg|thumb|left|A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet at the [[Australian International Airshow|2013 Avalon Airshow]]]]
Military airlifts were conducted for a number of purposes in subsequent decades, such as the peacekeeping operations in [[East Timor]] from 1999. Australia's combat aircraft were not used again in combat until the [[Operation Falconer|Iraq War]] in 2003, when 14 F/A-18s from [[No. 75 Squadron RAAF]] operated in the escort and ground attack roles, flying a total of 350 sorties and dropping 122 laser-guided bombs.<ref>Tony Holmes, 'RAAF Hornets at War' in ''Australian Aviation'', January/February 2006, No. 224. pp. 38–39.</ref> A detachment of [[Lockheed AP-3C Orion|AP-3C Orion]] maritime patrol aircraft were deployed in the Middle East between 2003 and 2012. These aircraft conducted maritime surveillance patrols over the Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea in support of Coalition warships and boarding parties, as well as conducting extensive overland flights of Iraq and Afghanistan on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and supporting counter-piracy operations in Somalia.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mission complete on wings of a dream craft|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/orion-crews-end-10-year-middle-east-mission-with-last-plane-touching-down-at-edinburgh-raaf-base/story-e6frea6u-1226526827264|access-date=10 March 2013|newspaper=Adelaide Now|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101233300/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/orion-crews-end-10-year-middle-east-mission-with-last-plane-touching-down-at-edinburgh-raaf-base/story-e6frea6u-1226526827264|archive-date=1 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
From 2007 to 2009, a detachment of [[No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit RAAF]] was on active service at [[Kandahar Airfield]] in southern [[Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite speech |title=Address by Her Honour the Honourable Sally Thomas AM |first=Sally |last=Thomas |author-link=Sally Thomas |event=Parade for Number 114 Mobile Control Reporting Unit |location=RAAF Base, Darwin |date=23 May 2013 |url=http://www.govhouse.nt.gov.au/ViceRegalProgram/SelectedSpeeches/Documents/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20052313%20Parade%20RAAF.pdf |access-date=15 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924023235/http://www.govhouse.nt.gov.au/ViceRegalProgram/SelectedSpeeches/Documents/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20052313%20Parade%20RAAF.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 }}</ref>
Approximately 75 personnel deployed with the [[AN/TPS-77]] radar assigned the responsibility to co-ordinate coalition air operations.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Aussies-to-take-Afghan-plane-control/2007/07/19/1184559952513.html| title=Aussies to take Afghan plane control| newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald| date=19 July 2007| access-date=25 February 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605064450/http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Aussies-to-take-Afghan-plane-control/2007/07/19/1184559952513.html| archive-date=5 June 2011| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref> A detachment of IAI Heron unmanned aerial vehicles was deployed in Afghanistan from January 2010 until November 2014.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2013/dec/1211e.htm|title=Australia extends Heron mission in southern Afghanistan|date=11 December 2013|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=25 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212124230/http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2013/dec/1211e.htm|archive-date=12 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated -->|url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2014/12/raaf-heron-detachment-completes-afghan-mission/|title=RAAF Heron Detachment Completes Afghan Mission|date=3 December 2014|website=Australian Aviation|access-date=20 March 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

In late September 2014, an Air Task Group consisting of up to eight [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18F Super Hornet]]s, a [[Airbus A330 MRTT|KC-30A]] Multi Role Tanker Transport, an [[Boeing 737 AEW&C|E-7A Wedgetail]] Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft and 400 personnel was deployed to [[Al Minhad Air Base]] in the [[United Arab Emirates]] as part of the [[2014 American intervention in Iraq|coalition]] to combat [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] forces in Iraq.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/24/raaf-air-task-group-arrives-in-middle-east/|title=RAAF Air Task Group Arrives in Middle East|publisher=Department of Defence|date=24 September 2014|access-date=25 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928011432/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/24/raaf-air-task-group-arrives-in-middle-east/|archive-date=28 September 2014}}</ref> Operations began on 1 October.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/10/02/australian-air-task-group-commences-operational-missions-over-iraq/|title=Australian Air Task Group commences operational missions over Iraq|publisher=Department of Defence|date=2 October 2014|access-date=2 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006120200/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/10/02/australian-air-task-group-commences-operational-missions-over-iraq/|archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> A number of [[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III|C-17]] and [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130J Super Hercules]] transport aircraft based in the Middle East have also been used to conduct airdrops of humanitarian aid and to airlift arms and munitions since August.<ref>{{cite news|editor=Katharine Murphy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/14/australian-troops-complete-first-humanitarian-mission-in-northern-iraq|title=Australian troops complete first humanitarian mission in northern Iraq|newspaper=The Guardian|date=14 August 2014|access-date=18 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814184409/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/14/australian-troops-complete-first-humanitarian-mission-in-northern-iraq|archive-date=14 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wroe|first=David|title=SAS to Protect Crews on Arms Drops in Iraq|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/sas-to-protect-crews-on-arms-drops-in-iraq-20140831-10aoyl.html#ixzz3Cz1PIUPK|date=31 August 2014|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|location=Sydney|issn=0312-6315|access-date=17 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904010511/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/sas-to-protect-crews-on-arms-drops-in-iraq-20140831-10aoyl.html#ixzz3Cz1PIUPK|archive-date=4 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/17/adf-delivers-fourth-arms-shipment-to-iraq/|title=ADF delivers fourth arms shipment to Iraq|date=17 September 2014|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=17 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101103/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/17/adf-delivers-fourth-arms-shipment-to-iraq/|archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/26/adf-delivers-fifth-shipment-to-iraq/|title=ADF delivers fifth shipment to Iraq|date=26 September 2014|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101559/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/26/adf-delivers-fifth-shipment-to-iraq/|archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>

In June 2017, two RAAF [[Lockheed AP-3C Orion|AP-3C Orion]] maritime patrol aircraft were deployed to the southern Philippines in response to the [[Marawi crisis]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-23/australian-spy-planes-to-fly-over-philippines-in-is-fight/8645086|title=Australian spy planes to fly over Philippines in IS fight|date=23 June 2017|work=ABC News|access-date=26 June 2017|language=en-AU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626045555/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-23/australian-spy-planes-to-fly-over-philippines-in-is-fight/8645086|archive-date=26 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/23/world/asia/australia-philippines-planes-marawi.html|title=Australia to Send Spy Planes to Help Philippines Recapture Marawi|last1=Williams|first1=Jacqueline|date=23 June 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=26 June 2017|last2=Villamor|first2=Felipe|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627123801/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/23/world/asia/australia-philippines-planes-marawi.html|archive-date=27 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Valente, Catherine (24 June 2017). [http://www.manilatimes.net/australia-sending-spy-planes-marawi/334543/ "Australia sending spy planes to Marawi"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627041448/http://www.manilatimes.net/australia-sending-spy-planes-marawi/334543/ |date=27 June 2017 }}. ''The Manila Times''. Retrieved 25 June 2017. "As soon as the AFP and the Australian military finalize operational details, the AP-3C Orion aircraft [of Australia] "will immediately assist in the ongoing operations" in Marawi City, he added."</ref>

In 2021, the Royal Australian Air Force commemorated its 100th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/raaf-centenary-focus-of-anzac-day/ar-BB1g1dye?ocid=msedgntp |title=RAAF centenary focus of Anzac Day |publisher=AAP |date=25 April 2021 |access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref> Later that year, on 29 November, the Hornet was officially retired from RAAF service, with a ceremony to mark the occasion taking place that day at RAAF Base Williamtown.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Madeline |title=Tears and tributes flow as Classic Hornet leaves the nest |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-29/royal-australian-air-force-farewells-classic-hornets/100658448 |access-date=29 November 2021 |work=ABC News |date=29 November 2021 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In January 2022, two RAAF [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon|P-8A Poseidon]] maritime patrol aircraft and one [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130J Hercules]] departed [[RAAF Base Amberley|RAAF Amberley]] and [[RAAF Base Richmond|Richmond]] to conduct aerial reconnaissance of Tonga in the wake of the [[2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami]]. According to Australian Defence News, the flights were to "help determine the extent of the damage [to Tongan infrastructure]… and inform future disaster support requests."<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 January 2022|title=ADF supports Australia's response in Tonga|url=https://news.defence.gov.au/international/adf-supports-australias-response-tonga|access-date=19 January 2022|website=news.defence.gov.au|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=16 January 2022|title=Australia and New Zealand send flights to assess damage from Tonga volcano eruption|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-17/tonga-volcano-surveillance-flights-tsunami-warning-damage/100760394|access-date=19 January 2022}}</ref>

In October 2023, the Australian Government announced that, in addition to a further round of A$31.6 million for military assistance for Ukraine, it would be sending a single [[Boeing E-7 Wedgetail|E-7A Wedgetail]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNeil |first=Harry |date=2023-10-25 |title=Australia deploys E-7A Wedgetail to Germany in ongoing support for Ukraine |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/australia-deploys-e-7a-wedgetail-to-germany-in-ongoing-support-for-ukraine/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Airforce Technology |language=en-US}}</ref> This aircraft, and the associated 100 personnel - mainly from [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|2 Squadron]], would operate from [[Ramstein Air Base]] for a six month deployment under Operation Kudu.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Mike |date=2023-12-20 |title=RAAF Wedgetail at work on Ukraine-support mission |url=https://www.contactairlandandsea.com/2023/12/20/trusted-eyes-into-the-european-skies/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=CONTACT magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine conflict: Australian Wedgetail arrives in Europe to oversee Ukraine relief efforts |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ukraine-conflict-australian-wedgetail-arrives-in-europe-to-oversee-ukraine-relief-efforts |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Janes.com |language=en}}</ref> The stated objective of the deployment was to "help ensure that vital support flowing to Ukraine by the international community is protected."<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAAF to deploy E-7A Wedgetail to support Ukraine effort - Australian Defence Magazine |url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/defence/air/raaf-to-deploy-e-7a-wedgetail-to-support-ukraine-effort |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=www.australiandefence.com.au |language=en}}</ref>