Australian Air Force Cadets
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The parent force of the AAFC is the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Aims
The general aim of the Australian Air Force Cadets is to better equip young people for community life by fostering initiative, leadership, discipline and loyalty through a training program designed to stimulate an interest in the Royal Australian Air Force.
The training program is structured to reflect the following objectives:
- to give Cadets a foundation of Air Force knowledge and discipline,
- to develop the qualities of leadership, initiative and self-reliance,
- to develop good character and good citizenship in the widest sense,
- to develop an interest in the Royal Australian Air Force and aviation in general,
- to instil a knowledge of the history and origins of aviation, and
- to encourage Cadets to continue an active interest in aviation into their adult life.
Cadet Training
Due to the relationship the AAFC has with the RAAF, the focus of much of the training is related to aircraft and flying which leads many cadets into a career in the RAAF or in the civillian aviation industry. However, aviation related subjects are not the only subjects taught within the organisation. There is also a great focus on fieldcraft and survival training, weapons training, drill and ceremonial as well.
Despite all the training involved, the AAFC is also an organisation that allows teenagers to socialise and meet new people not only local to them, but throughout the country.
Cadet Activities
Cadets receive the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities such as:
- Bivouacs
- General Service Training Camps (GSTs) which involve spending a week on an Australian Defence Force (ADF) base (usually a RAAF base)
- Flying camps
- Gliding camps
- Aeromodelling camps
- Various competitions including the National Field Craft Competition, National Flying Competition, Various Regional Drill, Shooting and other competitions
- Promotion courses (to be promoted to higher ranks within the AAFC)
- International Air Cadet Exchange program
Requirements to Join
The minimum requirements for enrolment in the Australian Air Force Cadets are as follows:
a. must have attained the age of 13 years but not the age of 18 years,
b. must be a person ordinarily resident in Australia,
c. must have parents' or guardians' permission to enrol,
d. be medically fit to the standards detailed in Chapter10 of the AAFC Policy Manual, and capable of carrying out the normal duties and activities of a cadet in the Australian Air Force Cadets,
e. not be a member of any other sub-component of the Australian Defence Force Cadets unless that membership is compulsory, or a member of any of the Defence Forces, either full-time or ADF Reserve, and
f. have parents' or guardians' permission for a qualified medical practitioner to anaesthetise and operate in an emergency.
Once a cadet reaches the age of 20 they are required to terminate their membership.
Operational Wings
- No. 1 Wing (Northern Queensland)
- No. 2 Wing (Southern Queensland)
- No. 3 Wing (New South Wales & ACT)
- No. 4 Wing (Victoria)
- No. 5 Wing (Tasmania)
- No. 6 Wing (South Australia)
- No. 7 Wing (Western Australia)
- No. 8 Wing (Northern Territory)
Each Wing contains a number of different squadrons. For more information on specific squadrons see [link]
Support Wings
- Air Training Wing - Develops high-level policies in relation to flying training (Gliding, Powered Flying and Parachutting)- Ground Training Wing - Develops high-level policies on ground training (home training, promotion courses, fieldcraft, etc)
- Logistic Support Wing - Develops policies on, and organises logistic issues such as uniforms and equipment distribution.
Sister Services
The other Australian Defence Force Cadets are the Australian Army Cadets (AAC) and the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC)
Links
[Australian Air Force Cadets Bulletin Board]
References
1. AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS MANUAL OF CADET TRAINING (AAFC 200.001)
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