The Royal Australian Air Force marks 100 years of service
2021 is an important time for the for the RAAF. From its modest beginnings in 1921, the last 100 years have the Air Force grow into a potent, world class operation which Australia has relied upon in both conflict and peace.
The RAAF traces its history back to the Imperial Conference held in London in 1911, 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 at Point Cook, Victoria, opening on 22 October 1912.
In 1912, the Australian Government purchased 734 acres from George Chirnside at the bayside of Point Cook for the establishment of a Central Flying School (CFS) to develop military skills in flying machines. The Australian Flying Corps (AFC) was formed at Point Cook in 1914 as part of the Australian Imperial Force. Point Cook Airfield was established in 1913 and was the home of Central Flying School (CFS) and the AFC from 1913 to 1921.
Soon after the outbreak of war in 1914, the Australian Flying Corps sent aircraft to assist in capturing 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 Indian Army in providing air support during the Mesopotamian Campaign against the Ottoman Empire, in what is now Iraq.
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 Australian Air Corps (AAC) was formed.
The Australian Air Force was formed on 31 March 1921. King George V approved the prefix “Royal” in June 1921 and became effective on 31 August 1921. The RAAF then became the second Royal air arm to be formed in the British Commonwealth, following the British Royal Air Force. When formed the RAAF had more aircraft than personnel, with 21 officers and 128 other ranks and 153 aircraft.
Point Cook was in continuous operation as a flying training base from 1914 until 1992. It is the oldest continually operating military airfield in the world. Point Cook was also home to the RAAF Academy until 1986 when the Australian Defence Force Academy opened in Canberra. The Officer Training School (OTS) continued to operate at Point Cook until it relocated to RAAF Base, East Sale in 2008.
The RAAF Museum is currently the largest Defence unit at Point Cook. It features the oldest and most extensive complex of military aviation buildings. RAAF Base Point Cook was included in the National Heritage List on 29 August 2007. On 01 July 2017 Defence renamed Point Cook to RAAF Base Point Cook and the name will be retained in perpetuity. RAAF Base Point Cook covers 341 ha and is located approximately 26 km from Melbourne CBD and 8 km south of RAAF Williams.
RAAF Base Point Cook units include:
- 21 Squadron
- 100 Squadron
- 1 Security Force Squadron
- 1 Security Force Squadron 5 Rifle Flight
- Australian Air Force Cadet Headquarters
- RAAF Museum
- Commercial tenants including the RMIT Flight Training Centre
Air Force 2021 is planning a national series of events and initiatives that will honour the sacrifices and service of the last 100 years, demonstrate today’s highly capable force, and foreshadow our continued evolution into the future.
Air Force Centenary events will highlight the spectrum of air and space power capabilities in today’s Air Force, and Air Force’s contributions to the Australian Defence Force’s Joint Force effects more broadly as part of One Team, One Defence.
Visit the RAAF’s Centenary website to learn more and stay up to date: www.airforce.gov.au/100
