Australian Air Force Cadets | |
---|---|
Active | 1941 – present |
Role | Volunteer Youth Organisation |
Size | Cadets: approx. 7,500 Number of Squadrons: 143 Uniformed Staff: 980 Civilian Staff: 335 |
Part of | Australian Defence Force Cadets |
Headquarters | National Website |
Motto(s) | Educate, Challenge, Excites |
Commanders | |
Director General Cadets – Air Force (DGCADETS-AF) | Air Commodore Terry Delahunty, AM |
Commander – Australian Air Force Cadets (CDR-AAFC) | Group Captain (AAFC) Mark Dorward |
Aircraft flown | |
Trainer |
Glider (sailplane): Schleicher ASK 13, DG-1001, Schleicher ASK-21, L-13 Blanik, Grob G103a Twin II, Grob G103 Twin II Acro, MotorFalke SF-25C, KR-03A Puchatek. Powered, fixed-wing aircraft: Cessna 152, Cessna 172, Piper PA-38 |
ANZAC Day 2008 ANZAC Day 2008 AAFC National Badge |
Glider (sailplane): Schleicher ASK 13, DG-1001, Schleicher ASK-21, L-13 Blanik, Grob G103a Twin II, Grob G103 Twin II Acro, MotorFalke SF-25C, KR-03A Puchatek.
The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC), known as the Air Training Corps (AIRTC) until 2001, is a Federal Government funded youth organisation. The parent force of the AAFC is the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Along with the Australian Army Cadets (AAC) and the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) it is part of the Australian Defence Force Cadets.
The broad 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:
Cadets receive the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities such as:
The minimum requirements for a volunteer enrolment in the Australian Air Force Cadets are as follows:
While the age limit for enrolment is 18, cadets can continue their cadet 'career' until the age of 20, when their enrolment is automatically terminated. Terminated cadets are welcome to apply to rejoin the AAFC as either an Instructor of Cadets or Officer of Cadets.
Cadets and staff are not automatically entitled to, or required to serve in the Australian Defence Forces.
The AAFC organisation as a whole falls under the command of Headquarters AAFC (HQAAFC). HQAAFC has no physical location as it is made up of members from around the country. The only person to hold the rank of Group Captain (AAFC) [GPCAPT(AAFC)] is the Commander – Australian Air Force Cadets (CDR-AAFC). The CDR-AAFC reports to the Director General Cadets – Air Force, a member of the RAAF who holds the rank of Air Commodore, who reports to the RAAF chain of command.