History

1941 – Formed as the ‘Air Training Corps’ (ATC) – provided pre entry training for air and ground crews to the RAAF during WWII.

In February 1941 the War Cabinet approved the formation of a cadet corps as part of the RAAF Reserve. On this day the name ‘Air Training Corps’ (ATC) was formally adopted and Mr W.A. Robertson was appointed as Director with the rank of Group Captain. The original staff of the Directorate of ATC commenced duty on 11 June and the first ATC Wing came into being on 12 August. Wings had been formed in all States by 1 October. Although staffed by a small nucleus of RAAF personnel, most of the ATC’s instructors were unpaid volunteers. By 31 October 1943, 12 cadets were under training. Although this number declined to 7557 when the Pacific War ended in August 1945, by then just short of 12 former members had gone on to enlist in the RAAF. The Corps would have two objectives, the primary and short term objective was to provide the general education of young men aged between 16 and 18 who desired to eventually join the wartime RAAF. The second, or long-term objective, to come into force after the 1939-45 War, was to encourage young men to increase their knowledge of air matters and in particular the RAAF, instil sense of discipline and provide elementary training in technical matters; thus, even at that stage, a continuing post-war role was seen for the Corps.

1946-1948 – Demobilised and scaled down for post war years – aims changed to peacetime role: Squadrons relegated to Flights.

“Reserve Magazine of December 1949 set out the composition and conditions for the postwar ATC as an ‘air youth movement’, and gave its numbers as ‘at least 3,000’. It stated that cadets were under no obligation to enlist in the RAAF, but preference would be extended to them should they desire to do so.”

1974 – ATC disbanded by Whitlam Labor Government.

1976 – Air Training Corps (AIRTC) raised and reformed by Fraser Coalition Government.

1982 – Girls were admitted.

1989 – The AIRTC’s establishment of both cadets and staff was increased.

1991 – First attempt to create a national organisation on training.

2000 – Topely Review – first sign of enhanced Government support.

2000 – Directorate of Defence Force Cadets (DDFC) formed (Tri Service Policy Support for cadets) $6m Cadet Enhancement Program.

2001 – AIRTC renamed ‘Australian Air Force Cadets’ (AAFC).

Until 2004-2005, eight separate organisations culturally based on state political boundaries.

Identical uniforms, RAAF customs but that’s about all.

No consistency in ground or air training standards or systems.

2005 – AAFC reorganised into operational and functional wings.

April 2005 reorganisation raised three functional wings; Ground Training, Air Training, Logistics Support, with an Office of the Chief of Staff, to provide national policy with command authority.

Traditional operational wings continued Nos. 1-8 Wings based on state boundaries but redirected to provide service delivery and focus,

• 1 Wing – North Queensland
• 2 Wing – Queensland
• 3 Wing – New South Wales
• 4 Wing – Victoria
• 5 Wing – Tasmania
• 6 Wing – South Australia
• 7 Wing – Western Australia
• 8 Wing – Northern Territory