Air Combat Group RAAF
| Air Combat Group | |
|---|---|
| File:ACG RAAF.gif | |
| Active | 7 February, 2002 |
| Branch | RAAF |
| Part of | Air Command |
| Garrison/HQ | RAAF Base Williamtown |
| Motto(s) | Defend and Strike |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Air Commodore Neil Hart |
| Insignia | |
| Callsign | PHANTOM |
The Royal Australian Air Force's Air Combat Group (ACG) is the group which commands the RAAF's fighter and bomber aircraft. ACG was formed on 7 February 2002 by merging the RAAF's Tactical Fighter Group and Strike Reconnaissance Group in an attempt to improve the speed with which the RAAF can deploy its combat aircraft. It comprises No. 78, No. 81 and No. 82 Wings.
Since the Group's formation, ACG aircraft have deployed to Diego Garcia during Operation Slipper and formed part of the Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Aircraft from the Group have also performed domestic security tasks and participated in overseas exercises.
Establishment and purpose
In a break with tradition within the RAAF, two of the its Force Element Groups, the Strike Reconnaissance Group (F-111) and the Tactical Fighter Group (F/A-18 Hornet, Hawk and PC-9A), were merged to form Air Combat Group.[1] This establishment occurred on 7 February 2002.[2] This was done with the hope that it would allow the RAAF to deploy its combat aircraft with a faster speed.[2] Although the fighter and strike elements will continue to operate as discrete units for some time, ACG will provide the opportunity for the RAAF to test the organisation required to deliver a range of combat capabilities.[3][4]
Responsibilities and bases
Air Combat Group is one of the largest Force Element Groups in the Air Force with 145 aircraft, 163 aircrew and 2000 support personnel based across Australia. It is responsible for all of the Air Force's F/A-18 Hornet, F-111 and Hawk squadrons, plus PC-9A Forward Air Control aircraft.[3][5]
The Wings under the Air Combat Group are located at RAAF Base Amberley, near Brisbane, Queensland, RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, New South Wales, RAAF Base Pearce, near Perth, Western Australia, and RAAF Base Tindal, near Katherine, Northern Territory.[3]
Training and operational history
Operations
A detachment of four Australian F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft provided air defence for the US military base on the island of Diego Garcia during the campaign against the Taliban, which was called Operation Slipper.[6][7] The initial detachment was provided by No. 77 Squadron RAAF between December 2001 and 10 February 2002.[7] This detachment was replaced by a detachment from No. 3 Squadron RAAF which was deployed between 10 February 2002 and 20 May 2002. No further Australian units have been deployed to Diego Garcia.[7]
Exercises
Air Combat Group maintains a busy training schedule for both air and ground crew on the F/A-18 Hornet, F-111 and Hawk. Recent highlights have been providing support to Operation Acolyte (Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006) and participation in high-end exercises such as Exercise Pitch Black in Australia and Exercise Red Flag in the United States.[3]
During Operation Guardian II it was deployed to protect the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in south-east Queensland.[3] Air Combat Group personnel, including a F/A-18 Hornet squadron, also deployed to Iraq in 2003 as part of Operation Falconer, providing air defence for high-value assets such as Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft, close air support for ground troops and striking enemy targets.[3]
Structure
Headquarters Air Combat Group is located at RAAF Williamtown, with the various elements of the group remaining at their current locations of Amberley (Queensland), Tindal (Northern Territory), Pearce (Western Australia) and Williamtown (New South Wales).[1]
Commander
The current commanding officer of the Air Combat Group is Air Commodore Neil Hart, who, previous to the posting to the position of Commander of ACG, was in charge of No. 3 Squadron, which is under 81 Wing, one of the three wings directly commanded by Air Combat Group.[8] Following that he was posted to the position of Director, Airworthiness Coordination and Policy Agency for the Australian Defence Force as a Group Captain, and this was followed by another joint position, serving within Headquarters Special Operations Command. He took up the position of Commander of Air Combat Group in March 2008.[8]
Warrant Officer Disciplinary
The position of Warrant Officer (WOFF) Disciplinary is currently help by Warrant Officer David Brewer and he has held that position starting in January 2005.[9] WOFF Brewer is in charge of all matters concerning morale, welfare, senior airmen development and leadership, deployment behaviour and host base/Nation interaction, and discipline. He is responsible for the consultation of Command Division Royal Australian Combat Group on a wide range of topics, including the health, esprit-de-corps, discipline, well being, career progression, recognition and professional development of all personnel. Additionally, he is to provide leadership guidance to the ACG Squadron Warrant Officer network, all NCO’s and Junior Officers.[9]
Air Combat Group components
78 Wing
No. 78 Wing RAAF is currently headquartered at RAAF Williamtown. It commands No. 76 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, flying Hawk Mk127 aircraft, No. 79 Squadron, based at RAAF Pearce, flying Hawk Mk127 aircraft, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, based at RAAF Williamtown, flying F/A-18A and F/A-18B aircraft, and No. 278 Squadron which is providing technical training specific to flight training.[3][4] 78 Wing conducts operational training, both ground and air, on the F/A-18B Hornet and Hawk at Nos. 76 and 79 Squadrons and No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit.[10] It currently has an increasing role providing simulator training to aircrews and maintenance personnel at Air Force bases across Australia.[10]
81 Wing
No. 81 Wing RAAF is currently headquartered at RAAF Williamtown. It commands No. 3 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, flying F/A-18 aircraft, No. 75 Squadron, based at RAAF Tindal, flying F/A-18 aircraft, and No. 77 Squadron, based at RAAF Williamtown, flying F/A-18 aircraft.[3][4] 81 Wing is responsible for the provision of combat air power to Australian and coalition forces through Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) operations using three squadrons of F/A-18 Hornets, Nos. 3, 75 and 77 Squadrons.[11] It also commands No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, just as No 78 Wing does.[11]
82 Wing
No. 82 Wing RAAF is currently headquartered at RAAF Amberley. It commands No. 1 Squadron, based at RAAF Amberley, flying RF-111C and F-111C aircraft, No. 6 Squadron, based at RAAF Amberley, flying F-111C and F-111G aircraft, and the Forward Air Control Development Unit (FACDU), based at RAAF Williamtown, flying P/C-9 aircraft.[3][4][12] 82 Wing strikes designated targets and conducts reconnaissance with Nos. 1 and 6 Squadrons and Forward Air Combat Development Unit.[12]
Equipment
Fighters and bombers
ACG uses a wide variety of aircraft consisting of the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing Northrop F/A-18A and F/A-18B, which are modern all-weather carrier-capable strike fighter jets, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets, that were designed in 1970. The F/A-18B has two seats, instead of the traditional single-seat design that the F/A-18A uses. The F-111G, which was a strategic bomber version of the F-111 developed as an interim aircraft for the Strategic Air Command.[3][4]
Jet Trainers and reconnaissance aircraft
The BAE Hawk, which is a British advanced jet trainer which first flew in 1974 as the Hawker Siddeley Hawk, is the trainer that is currently being used. ACG also uses the General Dynamics RF-111C, which is the "recce" or reconnaissance version of the F-111. Air Combat Group also uses the Pilatus P/C-9, which is a single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training aircraft.[3][4]
References
- ^ a b "RAAF strike force merge".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Bookrags - Air Combat Group RAAF".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Air Combat Group: Royal Australian Air Force - Main page".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f "Air Combat Group: Royal Australian Air Force - Info on..."
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "RAAF News - Set to Fly".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Peace Keepers - Operation Slipper" (PDF). Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans’ Association.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessdaymonth=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c "Global Collaborative - ADF in Afghanistan". Nautilus Institute.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessdaymonth=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Australian Government, Department of Defence - AIRCDRE Neil Hart".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Air Combat Group Warrant Office Disciplinary".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "No 78 Wing: Royal Australian Air Force".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "No 81 Wing: Royal Australian Air Force".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "No 82 Wing: Royal Australian Air Force".
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