RAAF Air Command
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| Air Command | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| [[Image:|width="120"]]
| |||
| Service | RAAF | ||
| Motto | Alert and Ready | ||
| Headquarters | RAAF Glenbrook | ||
| Callsign | HUNTSMAN | ||
| Commander | AVM Mark Binskin AM | ||
| Units | |||
| Air Combat Group | |||
| Air Force Training Group | |||
| Air Lift Group | |||
| Surveillance & Response Group | |||
| Combat Support Group | |||
| Aerospace Operational Support Group | |||
Air Command is the operational arm of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Its role is to manage and command the RAAF's Force Element Groups (FEGs), which contain the operational capability of the Air Force.
Air Command consists of the following FEGs:
- Air Lift Group
- Air Combat Group
- Surveillance and Response Group
- Combat Support Group
- Aerospace Operational Support Group
The Air Commander Australia (ACAUST) is also the Air Component Commander (ACC) within Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC). The Commander is responsible for all operational Air Force tasks, and reports to the Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS). Similar arrangements exist with Land Command (Australian Army) and Maritime Command (Royal Australian Navy).
Air Command has a critical strategic role both in peace time and war time. It works closely with Air Force Training Group (formerly RAAF Training Command) and the Australian Defence Force's Joint Logistics Command in developing and maintaining the nation's defence capabilities.
[edit] Past Commanders
Air Command has undergone a number of changes since its formation in May 1942, both in name and location. The following table lists those Air Force officers who have been appointed to lead the Command and its headquarters in its various incarnations.
Note: The official title of each group of Commanders is listed immediately after the name of the Command.
| Rank | Name | Period |
|---|---|---|
| HQ Eastern Area Command (Air Officers Commanding) | ||
| AVM | W.H. Anderson CBE, DFC | 1942-1943 |
| AIRCDRE | A.M. Charlesworth CBE, AFC | 1943-1944 |
| AIRCDRE | F.W.F. Lukis CBE | 1945-1946 |
| AIRCDRE | L.V. Lachal CBE | 1946-1947 |
| AVM | F.M. Baldin CBE | 1947-1948 |
| AVM | J.P.J. McCauley CB, CBE | 1949-1953 |
| HQ Home Command (Air Officers Commanding) | ||
| AVM | J.P.J. McCauley CB, CBE | 1953-1954 |
| AVM | A.L. Walters CB, CBE, AFC | 1954-1957 |
| AVM | C.D. Candy CB | 1958-1959 |
| HQ Operational Command (Air Officers Commanding) | ||
| AVM | V.E. Hancock CB, CBE, DFC | 1959-1961 |
| AVM | F. Headlam CBE | 1961-1962 |
| AVM | A.M. Murdoch CB, CBE | 1962-1965 |
| AVM | C.T. Hannah CB, CBE | 1965-1967 |
| AVM | K.S. Hennock CBE, DFC | 1967-1969 |
| AVM | W.E. Townsend CB, CBE | 1969-1973 |
| AVM | B.A. Eaton CB, CBE, DSO, DFC | 1973-1974 |
| AVM | F.C. Robey AO, CBE | 1974-1978 |
| AVM | J.J. Adams CBE, DFC, AFC | 1978-1980 |
| AVM | M.J. Ridgway AFC | 1980-1981 |
| AVM | R.N. Law | 1981-1984 |
| AVM | B.J. Reynolds AM | 1984-1985 |
| AVM | E.A. Radford AO | 1985-1987 |
| Air Headquarters Australia (Air Commanders Australia) | ||
| AVM | E.A. Radford AO | 1987-1990 |
| AVM | I.B. Gration AO, AFC | 1990-1992 |
| AVM | G.J.J. Beck AO | 1992-1996 |
| AVM | P.G. Nicholson AM | 1996-1996 |
| Headquarters Air Command (Air Commanders Australia) | ||
| AVM | P.G. Nicholson AM | 1996-1998 |
| AVM | A.W. Titheridge AM | 1998-1999 |
| AVM | P.J. Criss AM, AFC | 1999-2000 |
| AVM | J.W. Kindler AO, AFC | 2000-2003 |
| AVM | G.D. Shepherd AM | 2003-2005 |
| AVM | A.J. Quaife AM | 2005-2007 |
| AVM | M. Binskin AM | 2007- |
