Air Force Knowledge Flashcards
What are the ADF values?
- Service
- Courage
- Respect
- Integrity
- Excellence
What is my ROSO?
9 years beginning from the beginning of my operational conversion course
Where is RAAF initial officer course located?
RAAF Base East Sale (12 weeks)
AVMED - RAAF Base Edinburgh (1 week)
What are the 3 phases of initial officer course ?
- Military Introduction
- Education
- Application
What is in phase one of initial officer course?
- introduced to military life
- weapons qualification and martial skills
- Themes of values based behaviour, self and team leadership and follower ship explored through collaborative problem solving, self-mastery and resilience building activities
What is in phase two of initial officer course ?
- introduced to leading military teams, effectively managing a workplace and applying critical thinking
- themes of moral courage and judgement and social mastery explored
- air and space power immersion in joint environment explored
What is in phase three of initial officer course?
- consolidating what you’ve learnt in a practical combat simulated environments
- development Officer qualities explored through the application of transformational leadership
How long is Basic Pilot Course (BPC) and where is it?
24 weeks and 60 hours of flying and sim at 1FTS RAAF Base East Sale
What is involved at Basic Pilot Course (BPC) ?
- General Flying
- Night Flying
- Instrument Flying - basic
- Introduction to medium level navigation
Ground school in Aerodynamics, Aircraft systems, Airmanship, Air Power, ATC, AVMED, Cockpit Systems, Met, Morse Code and Nav
How long is Intermediate Pilot Course (IPC) and where is it?
28 weeks and approx 135 hours of flying and sim at 2FTS RAAF Base Pearce
What is involved at 2FTS?
- Developing skills from 1FTS
- Introduced to formation flying and low level NAV
- To operate and not just fly the aircraft
What are the fitness requirements for the Air Force?
20 situps and 6.1 shuttle run completed within 6 weeks prior to enlistment
What aircraft does the RAAF have/are getting?
- F-35A Lightning II
- F/A-18F Superhornet
- E/A-18G Growler
- C-27J Spartan
- C-130J Hercules
- C-17A Globemaster
- KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport
- E-7A Wedgetail
- P-8A Poseidon
- KA-350 King Air
- 737 Business Jet
- Dassault Falcon 7X
- MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft
- PC-21
- Hawk-127
- MC-55A Peregrine (future)
What are the features of the F-35A Lightning II
- Australia’s first 5th gen fighter
- Supersonic stealth: reduced engine signature, internal carriage of weapons and embedded sensors
- Pratt & Whitney F-135-PW-100 most powerful fighter engine in the world (40,000 lbs of thrust in burner)
- Electronic warfare: can locate and track enemy forces, jam radars and disrupt weapons
- Advanced sensors and data fusion allows fastest info sharing ever between sea, land and air assets
- 9G Manoeuvrability
- Advanced radar, electro-optical and IR sensors, advanced data link and voice comms
- No need for HUD, key information posted on the visor
Where is the F-35 based and how many are expected to arrive?
- 3 operation SQNs: Williamtown (3 & 77 SQN), Tindal (75 SQN), 2 OCU at Williamtown for training
- 72 aircraft which first arrived in 2018 at 3 SQN
What weapons can the F-35 carry?
- AIM-120 AMRAAM
- AIM-9X ‘Sidewinder’ short range air-to-air missile
- GBU Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) Guided bombs
- Laser guided bombs
- Internal 25mm GAU-22/A Cannon
What is the weapons payload of the F-35?
8160kg
What are the features of an E/A-18G Growler?
- Electronic attack capable of disrupting, denying and deceiving a broad range of military electronic systems, radar and comms
- still carries missiles for basic defence
- complimentary capability to F/A-18F Superhornet and F-35A Lightning II
- Goes in first and creates a ‘black cloud’
How many E/A18G Growlers are there, when were they bought and where are they located?
- 11 Growlers controlled by No.6 SQN at Amberley and operate along land, sea and air forces
- initial operation capability declared April 2019
What is the crew for an E/A-18G Growler?
Pilot and Electronic Warfare Officer
What are the features of the F/A-18F Super Hornet?
- Ensure aircombat compatibility
- Used for: air interception, air combat, close air support for troops and interception of enemy support lines
- Capable of mach 1.6
How many F/A-18F Super Hornets are active and where are they located?
- 24
- based at No.1 SQN Amberley
What is the crew of a super hornet?
- Pilot and weapon systems officer
What are the features of a C-17A Globemaster III?
- High wing 4 engine
- Up to 77 tonnes of cargo inc tanks, helicopters etc
- Used to rapidly deploy troops, supplies, combat vehicles, heavy equipment and helicopters
- Capable of Mid-air drops, and can land on unsurfaced runways as short as 3500 feet
How many Globemasters are there and where are they based?
- 8 in service at 36 SQN Amberley
- Delivered between 2006 and 2015
What is the crew of a globemaster?
- 2x pilots and a loadmaster
What are the features of the C-130J Hercules?
- medium sized tactical airlifter which can land on short unsurfaced runways, drop cargo mid-air and paratroopers
- relied on when deploying personnel and aid, search and survivor assist and medical evacuation
- can carry up to 128 troops or 8 pallets of cargo
- upgrades recently to communications and information sharing, endurance
How many Hercs are there and where are they based?
- 12 operated from RAAF base Richmond 37 SQN
- 20 new C-130J Hercules purchased to replace existing fleet arriving 2027-28
What is the crew of a C-130J?
- 2x pilots and a loadmaster
What are the features of the C-27J Spartan?
- bridges gap between helicopters and larger air mobility aircraft
- can be used on unsurfaced runways and support humanitarian missions in remote areas
- can airdrop cargo and troops, carry a variety of cargo and support medical evacuation
- Can carry 34 passengers, 21 stretcher patients and 5,000kg of cargo
How many Spartans are there and where are they based?
Fleet of 10 out of Amberley No.35 SQN. First arrived 2015
What is the crew of a Spartan?
2x Pilots and a loadmaster
What are the features of a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport?
- heavily modified A330 used for air-to-air refuelling and strategic air lift
- hold advanced communication and nav systems and electronic warfare self protection for surface to air missiles
- can hold up to 270 passengers and 34,000kg if underfloor carriage
- can holf up to 100 tonnes to refuel F-35, Superhornet, Growlers, Wedgetail, Globemaster, Poseidon, other KC-30As and foreign aircraft
How many KC-30As are there and where are they based?
- 7 operational out of Amberley No. 33 SQN
What is the crew of a KC-30A?
2x pilots, air refuelling officer, mission co-ordinator, up to 8 crew attendants
What are the features of the 737 Boeing Business Jet?
- agile transport capability for government and staff
- has seating, meeting room, working space and communication facilities
- has 4-5% increase in range allowing direct flights from Canberra to Tokyo and Hong Kong (11,390km range)
How many 737 Business jets are there?
Fleet of 2 based at RAAF Base Fairbairn No. 34 SQN
Introduced 2002
What is the crew of a 737 Business Jet?
Up to 6 crew - 2x pilots and 4x crew attendants, 30 passengers
What are the features of the KA350 King Air?
- Twin engine turbo prop
- used for training mission aircrew and navy warfare officers
- light passenger and cargo transport with Australia and support fisheries patrol of SE Asia and Pacific regions
- can be configured for air logistic support, image acquisition, base station relay and Intelligence Surveillance Targeting Acquisition Reconnaissance Electronic Warfare
How many King Airs are there and where are they based?
Fleet of 12 based out of East Sale No.32 SQN
What is the crew of a KA350 King Air?
Minimum 1 pilot
What are the features of the Dassault Falcon 7X?
- VIP transport (up to 14 passengers) up to 11,000km range
- satellite comms
How many 7X Falcons are there and where are they based?
- 3x joined fleet in 2019 Fairbairn No34. SQN
What is the crew of a 7X Falcon?
- 2x pilots and 1x crew attendant
What are the features of a P-8A Poseidon?
- 737-800 modified with weapons bay, under wing and fuselage hard points for weapons, increased strengthening for low level (200ft) and high angle turns
- used for anti submarine and anti surface warfare, maritime surveillance and search and rescue
- has a multi role radar, high definition camera, high level acoustics and extensive communication systems
- can complete missions 2000km away from base with 34 tonnes of fuel, can air-to-air refuel
How many P-8A Poseidons are there and where are they based?
- fleet of 14 out of Endinburgh No. 11 and 292 SQNs
- First arrived in 2016
What is the crew of a P-8A Poseidon?
- 2x pilots and mission specialists
What are the features of the E-7A Wedgetail?
- provides early warning and control platform using long range surveillance radar, secondary radar and strategic/tactical data and voice comm systems
- simultaneous tracking of airbourne and maritime targets made possible with addition of advanced multi role electronically scanned array radar and 10 mission crew consoles
- Can cover 4 million square kms (size of WA)
- based on 737-700
- can air-to-air refuel
How many E-7A Wedgetails are there and where are they based?
- Fleet of 6 based in Williamtown No.2 SQN
What is the crew of an E-7A Wedgetail?
- 2x pilots, air battle managers and airbourne electronic analysts
What is the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System?
- Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is high altitude long endurance (HALE)
- Used for maritime patrol and other surveillance roles
- far longer endurance than manned aircraft (24+ hours), controlled by pilot on the ground
Where is the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft based and how many are there?
Will be based at RAAF base Edinburgh with a fleet of 7
What is the MC-55A Peregrine?
- Heavily modified G550 Gulfstream jets to be used for electronic warfare, signals intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions
- Can expect to work as a networking relay and data fusion platform
- 4x expected to be based at Edinburgh
What is the Pilatus PC-21?
- training aircraft in Sale and Pearce
- bridges gap between traditional turbo prop trainers and lead in fighters
- hydraulic assisted ailerons and roll spoilers allow it to roll at 200 degreees a second
- yaw compensation allows for easy circuits while still providing performance for advanced training
What is the engine in a PC-21
- Pratt and Whitney PT6A-68B Turboprop (1600 shaft horsepower)
What is the weights of the PC-21?
- 2280kg empty, max 3100kg aerobatic and max 3600kg transit
What is the range of the PC-21?
1333km
What is the ceiling of the PC-21?
25,000ft
What is the max speed of the PC-21?
685km/h (370kts)
What is the Hawk 127?
used for fighter training at No.79 SQN Pearce and No.76 SQN Williamtown
- low wing, all metal aircraft fitted with navigation and attack equipment
- single turbo fan engine
What is the RAAF mission?
To prepare air and space power in order to enable the joint force in peace or war
What is the RAAF purpose?
To defend Australia and it’s national interests in order to advance Australia’s security and prosperity
What are the officer rankings?
- Air chief marshall
- Air Marshall
- Air Vice-Marshall
- Air Commodore
- Group Captain
- Wing Commander
- SQN Leader
- Flight Lieutenant
- Flying Officer
- Pilot Officer
- Officer Cadet
What are the non-commissioned rankings?
- Warrant officer of the airforce
- Warrant officer
- Flight sergeant
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Leading aircraft man
- Aircraft man
- Non-commissioned officer cadet
Who is the chief of the airforce?
Air Marshal Stephen Chappell
Who is the warrant officer of the airforce?
Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ralph Clifton
Who is the deputy chief of the airforce?
Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Reynolds, AM
Who is the head of airforce capability?
Air Vice-Marshal Nicholas Hogan, CSC
Who is the Air Commander of the Airforce?
Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz AM, CSC, DSM
Who is the Defence Minister?
Hon Richard Marles
Who is the Secretary of Defence
Mr Greg Moriarty
Who is the chief of the defence force?
Admiral David Johnston AC RAN
Who is the Vice Chief of the Defence Force?
Air Marshal Robert Chipman AO CSC
What are the RAAF Force Element Groups?
- Air combat group
- Air mobility group
- Air warfare group
- Combat Support Group
- Surveillance and Response Group
- Airforce Training Group
What are the areas of humanitarian support in the airforce?
- helping the community - local (when resources are insufficient or overwhelmed during a crisis) and international support (during humanitarian crisis particularly in neighbouring countries)
- equipment and supplies - using cargo planes for supply drops
- aeromedical evacuation - C-17A, C-130J and C-27J can be tranformed into mobile hospitals (e.g Bali bombings)
- search and rescue - Aus govt has obligation to provide search and rescue for territories, territorial seas and surrounding high seas
- firefighting - may provide logistics support for state firefighting services
- ATC - can provide mogile communications support during disaster relief
What does the average day look like at officer training?
SPEAK TO SAM
What is the top speed of the aircraft I want to fly?
The F-35A has a top speed of mach 1.6 or 1960 km/h
Which aircraft carry weapons?
- F-35A Lightning II
- F/A-18F Superhornet
- E/A-18G Growler
- P-8A Poseidon (anti-sub torperdos)
What are flaps? How do they work?
- flaps sit on the wing and are extended to create drag
- lowers airspeed and allows a greater AoD on landing, increasing vis
What does JSF stand for?
Joint Strike FIghter
The Australian project for the acquisition of the F-35A
What is the daily routine of 1FTS?
SPEAK TO SAM
What will life be like on your desired aircraft?
What will your pay be at officer training?
$67,085
What will your pay be when you are fully qualified?
$89,445
What is the superannuation rate?
16.4%
Where will you be taught leadership?
Officer training school is where you will be taught leadership from multiple aspects and apply them in practical scenarios
I would argue leadership is something that you continue to develop throughout my time at the RAAF
What is the difference between a piston and a turbo-prop engine?
Piston works like a car engine. Pistons driven up and down, connected to rod connected to crankshaft which spins the prop
Turbo prop is closer to a jet engine. Set of fans turning a shaft connected to the propeller. Gearbox allows propeller to spin at a speed to endure it doesn’t stall
What is the role of an officer?
What is the hopeful path to follow?
- Initial Officer Course - 12 weeks
- 1FTS - 24 weeks
- 2FTS - 28 weeks
- Introductory Fighter Course (advanced flying training) 79 SQN @ Pearce - 6 months
- Introductory Fighter Course (Tactical Flying Training) 76 SQN @ Williamtown - 6 months
- No.2 OCU F-35A Lightning II @ Williamtown - 6 months
or
No.82 Wing F/A-18F Superhornet @ Amberley or US - 6 months
or
No.6 SQN E/A18-G Growler in Washington by the US Nvy followed by Bridging in Amberley - 12 months
What is involved in the introductory fighter course Pearce?
Type conversion and advanced fighter course
Undergo training on the Hawk lead in fighter
What is involved in the Introductory Fighter Course Williamtown?
Learn how to use the Hawk in a tactical environment (air-to-air and air-to-ground)
Selected on one of the operational combat aircraft at the completion of training
What is operational service?
All personal face the possibility of deploying to, or near, war zones and dangerous operational environments
What is unrestricted service?
This means you must be available (at all times) to be moved or deployed across Australia and overseas.
I will be required to work shift work, long and irregular hours and there are no penalty rates or overtime.
What is the alcohol/drug policy?
Zero tolerance of drug use and zero tolerance of alcohol misuse/abuse. BAC must be 0% on duty
What is the Defence Force Dicipline Act 1982 (DFDA)?
establishes a legal system for the maintenance and enforcement of service discipline
What are the 3 levels of the DFDA?
- Discipline Officer Scheme - allows commanders to deal with low level infringements in a timely manner
- Summary Authorities - Enables commanding officers and officers appointed as superior summary authorities to deal with more serious disciplinary offences.
- Defence Force Magistrate and Courts Martial proceedings: Highest level of disciplinary action
under the DFDA.
What is the standard issue rifle?
F88 (EF88) Austeyr
What is operation Resolute?
Multi-agency Maritime patrol covering 10% of the world surface including Australia’s economic zone looking out for:
- illegal maritime arrivals
- maritime terrorism
- piracy, robbery and violence at sea
- compromise to biosecurity
- illegal activity in protected areas
- illegal exploitation of natural resources
- marine pollution
- prohibited imports and exports.
Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft to provide aerial surveillance of Australia’s north-west and northern approaches.
What is Operation Kudu?
Training of Ukraine armed forces personnel in the UK. So far over 2000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained by the Australian Defence Force
E-7a Wedgetail and crew of up to 100 personnel deployed to Germany and returned April 2024. Provided early warning of threats from Russia from outside Ukraine.
What is Operation Gateway?
Contribution to the preservation of regional security and stability in South East Asia.
Maritime surveillance patrols of North Indian and South China Sea operating out of Royal Malaysian Airforce Base Butterworth.
What are the responsibilities of the Royal Australian Airforce?
Why does the ADF have values?
I believe that the ADF has values to ensure that it’s members are all on the same page and they serve as guidlines to work towards a common goal.
What can I expect the day to day role once posted to my unit?
What is my understanding of a combat role?
A combat role first of all is going to involve an element of risk.
What is my understanding of the Officer Selection Board?
- Interviewed by a panel of officers and psychologist and take part in individual and group activities
What tattoos are not permitted in the ADF?
Face, front portion of the neck. All other body parts are okay however must not be considered offensive.
Who issues the security clearance?
Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA)
What is the ADF policy towards drugs?
If found to be misusing drugs, action will be taken, usually termination.
Commercially available drugs can only be used if prescribed by defence members
Is there compulsory drug testing?
Yes. Hair, urine and saliva samples must be given
How much leave do you get per year?
Amounts to 25 days per year.
Other types of leave given for recovery e.g flying leave, remote locality and field leave
Are you entitled to return trips home?
Members may be eligible for one return trip per leave year. Trainees may be granted up to three return trips
What medical does ADF provide?
Full medial and dental treatment
What is the 2024 Defence Strategy?
Brought out in response to the security risks taking place globally (China, Russia, Iran). Lays out our strategy to ensure regional stability.
What is the key strategy that Australia will employ?
Strategy of denial. Deter foreign powers from taking military action against our region by working with the US and other major partners, and showing an ability to hold potential adversary at risk.
What are they key actions of the 2024 Defence Strategy
- Continue to strengthen US alliance (AUKUS deal, exercises etc)
- Continue to strengthen alliance with our indo-pacific partners
- Ensuring we have a resilient network of bases, particuarly in Northern Australia
- Widening recruitment criteria
- Increasing lethality through the acquisition and development of various assets (e.g nuclear submarines, long range munitions etc)
- Building on defence industry
What is the Defence White Paper?
Released in 2016, explains how the government is strengthening our defence capabilities in response to the challenging strategic environment that the world is facing.
