Air Warfare Centre
Established in January 2016 around the Aerospace Operational Support group, as a key priority of Plan Jericho, the Air Warfare Centre (AWC) isthe Air Force’s newest Force Element Group. The AWC was established to ready the warfighter for complex air warfare in a fifth-generation context. It is designed to drive innovation and integration across Air Command. The AWC comprises a headquarters responsible for the coordination and implementation of common and integrated functions across the AWC and specific capability focused directorates providing cyber and electronic warfare, intelligence and information warfare, test and evaluation, Air Force Ranges management and advanced air warfare tactics and training (located at RAAF Williamtown).
Advanced Test and Training Environments
The Advanced Test and Training Environments is the primary provider of Air Force Air Weapon Ranges and Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) simulation to enable the testing of war materiel and the training of Air Force capabilities to deliver more effective warfighters. Its functions include range management, support to T&E, support of basic to advanced AW Training, and management of LVC capabilities and simulation. The Advanced Test and Training Environments conducts activities on the Woomera Test range.
Air Force Test Ranges Squadron
Air Force Test Ranges Squadron is responsible for the day-to-day conduct of test range activities. RAAF and Australian Public Service personnel make up the squadron with the majority based at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Operations and technical personnel are on permanent detachment at Woomera Range to provide on-site liaison and management of range activities. Edinburgh-based personnel deploy to other Air Force ranges as operational tasking requires.
Directorate of Air Intelligence
The Directorate of Air Intelligence is responsible for provision and training of Air Force’s intelligence capability. While its headquarters and some elements are at Edinburgh, it is also the most geographically distributed directorate in the Air Warfare Centre, with personnel located at all the major RAAF bases and also within the Defence Complex in Canberra. Further, because of its functions, it has personnel deployed on exercises and operations, including the Middle East, on an almost continual basis.
No. 83 Squadron
Established in January 2021, 83 Squadron is the Air Force's centralised intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) processing, exploitation and dissemination intelligence weapon system. Through the exploitation of imagery and signals intelligence, it provides the ADF and allied forces timely, accurate, relevant and actionable intelligence. The unit was established from the Distributed Ground Station (Interim) Project initiative and will continue to grow over the coming years playing a key role in expanding RAAF Edinburgh ISR capabilities.
No. 87 Squadron
87 Squadron (87SQN) was re-formed on 1 July 2006, and is the Air Force's Mission Intelligence squadron. 87SQN comprises approximately 150 personnel, predominantly Air Intelligence Analysts and Officers, and is headquartered in RAAF Williamtown. 87SQN has eight Tactical Intelligence Flights (TIFs) at RAAF Bases Amberley, Edinburgh, Richmond, Tindal and Williamtown, providing mission intelligence to multiple force element groups, wings and units. 87SQN personnel support multiple RAAF and ADF operations, exercises and activities across single service and joint domains. RAAF Base Edinburgh TIFs include 41TIF, 42TIF, and 92TIF.
Defence School Of Intelligence - Air
Initially formed as the Air Intelligence Training Unit on 1 January 2017, the Defence School of Intelligence – Air (DSI-Air) mission is to develop and deliver all source air intelligence training to meet the needs of Air Force’s evolving capability requirements. DSI-Air conducts Initial Employment Training and post-graduate training for Air Intelligence Officers and Air Intelligence Analysts.
Spectrum Warfare Directorate
The new Spectrum Warfare Directorate is home to the RAAF’s Electronic Warfare support functions. It comprises three units, each with specialists that enhance and enable war-winning capabilities for the RAAF and the wider ADF. The directorate thus provides asymmetric advantages to our Defence Force over potential adversaries.
No.462 Squadron
Located within Spectrum Warfare Directorate, AWC, 462 Squadron is primarily based at DST Edinburgh with a flight in Canberra. 462SQN’s mission is to counter the cyber threat to Air Force, and does so through provision of cyber security and cyber protection effects. 462SQN's mission is enabled by a Tactical Intelligence Flight (87SQN), Training Flight, Standards Flight, Operations Support Flight and Engineering Flight. Since its reform in April 2005, 462SQN has evolved from its proud Bomber Command history to a leading ADF capability in cyberspace operations. It is the home of training for Air Force’s cyber warfare workforce, generating personnel who contribute to operations and exercises across the world. To counter the growing cyber threat, 462SQN’s strength in numbers will continue to increase over the coming years, with a plan for Cyberspace Protection Flights in Edinburgh, Canberra and Williamtown. In 2024, 462SQN is set to transfer to Joint Capability Group as it assumes responsibility for leading the cyber and space domains.
Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit
Located at DST Edinburgh, Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit (JEWOSU) is the ADF's electronic warfare centre of excellence, and its mission is to provide EW products to maintain the operational relevance of ADF fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, ships and submarines. JEWOSU also provides formal EW training to the ADO and will be responsible for the analysis, production and maintenance of Ghosthawk, a fifth-generation Intelligence Mission Data database in support of EW operational support (reprogramming).
Joint Survivability, Tactics Validation Unit
The Joint Survivability, Tactics Validation Unit is a new unit established in January 2021. It amalgamates the Maritime and Land Joint Electro Magnetic Spectrum Survivability capability and the Air CMD&V capability into a single unit with a mission to deliver validated electromagnetic spectrum survivability across the three environmental domains. The unit is collocated with JEWOSU at the DST Edinburgh site.
Test And Evaluation Directorate
Test and Evaluation Directorate (TED) has responsibility for managing aircraft stores compatibility, aeronautical information and aviation medicine capabilities for Navy, Army and Air Force; as well as managing test and evaluation for Air Force. These capabilities all contribute to the mission success, safe performance, safe operation and survivability of ADF aircraft and aircrew. TED is comprised of Aircraft Research and Development Unit, Air Warfare Engineering Squadron, Institute of Aviation Medicine, Aeronautical Information Service - Air Force and Directorate Headquarters.
Aircraft Research And Development Unit
The Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) plans, conducts and analyses the results of flight tests of existing and new Air Force capabilities. ARDU's headquarters is at RAAF Base Edinburgh with flights located at RAAF Bases Edinburgh, Amberley and Williamtown. ARDU is staffed by qualified test pilots, flight test engineers, flight test system specialists, and operational evaluation aircrew. The unit provides flight test and evaluation for Air Command to support the in-being, objective and future joint force.
Air Warfare Engineering Squadron
The Air Warfare Engineering Squadron (AWESQN) was formed in 2016 following the amalgamation of Aircraft Stores Compatibility Engineering Squadron and Aircraft Systems Engineering Squadron. AWESQN exists to provide specialist engineering services to the Air Warfare Centre, Air Force, Army, Navy and wider elements of Defence to enhance joint air power capabilities, and has specific expertise in the following areas:
- provision of aircraft stores compatibility engineering advice and designs,
- design and operation of aircraft instrumentation and telemetry systems,
- electromagnetic interference/compatibility testing.
EDP Operarational Units: Welcome to Edinburgh Defence Precinct
No.1 Combat Communications Squadron Edinburgh Flight
With flights in Amberley, Williamtown and Edinburgh, No.1 Combat Communications Squadron's (1CCS) mission is to provide tailored communications and information systems (CIS) effects in order to enable command, control, communications and computers, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance of expeditionary air operations. Cyber is being recognised as its own distinct battlespace and with the CAF's intent of a fifth-generation Air Force, 1CCS is at the forefront of providing CIS solutions to the Air Force and ADF as a whole.
No.1 Remote Sensor Unit
No.1 Remote Sensor Unit (1RSU) conducts surveillance of Australia’s northern approaches by collecting, analysing and disseminating data into the ADF’s Common Operating picture. 1RSU operates the Jindalee Operational Radar Network, a network of three Over-the- Horizon Radar (OTHR) systems. 1RSU was formed in July 1992 and, in January 1993, commenced operations using the original Jindalee radar at Alice Springs for surveillance tasks. In 2003, a further two OTHRs were commissioned in Longreach Qld and Laverton WA. 1RSU is staffed by Air Force and Navy members as well as civilian contractors.
No. 1 Space Surveillance Unit
No.1 Space Surveillance Unit (1SSU) was formed in January 2023 tasked with establishing a dedicated space surveillance unit able to absorb current space capabilities and build capacity to support the introduction of new sovereign and international partnered space capabilities in the future. It is the first dedicated Australian joint space unit that provides combat-relevant Space Domain Awareness and Missile Warning effects in support of Joint and Coalition forces. It operates a diverse range of Earth and space-based capabilities in order to perform consistent observation and analysis of on-orbit/terrestrial events followed by timely dissemination to a range of customers. These include Space Surveillance Telescope, C-Band Radar and the Joint Commercial Operations – Pacific Cell.
No.2 Expeditionary Health Squadron Detachment Raaf Edinburgh
The role of No.2 Expeditionary Health Squadron (2EHS) is to provide expeditionary and fixed-base health support to ADF operations including deployable health facilities, supporting aeromedical, surgical, hazard assessment, forensics support, and aviation medicine and operational health support. With a headquartersat RAAF Base Williamtown, detachments are located at RAAF Bases Darwin, Edinburgh, Pearce and Tindal. 2EHS Detachment Edinburgh comprises Medical Officers, Dental Assistant, Nursing Officers, Environmental Health Officers and Advanced Medical Assistants. The detachment is embedded in the Edinburgh Joint Health Command Garrison Health Centre. While the primary duty of 2EHS Det EDN is the provision of Expeditionary Health care capability, 2EHS personnel regularly augment the Garrison Health Centre when not deployed. In this respect, 2EHS Det Edinburgh also supports exercises at Woomera Test Range, Murray Bridge Training Area, and Cultana training area.
No.92 Wing
Formed in 1977 at RAAF Base Edinburgh, No.92 Wing was the first Maritime Wing in the RAAF. Previous to this, maritime and reconnaissance commitments were met by two independent maritime squadrons. The co-location of two squadrons enabled considerable savings in labour and facilities by combining the units under the one umbrella of a Maritime Wing – No.92 Wing. 92 Wing now consists of Numbers 9, 10, 11 and 292 Squadrons. In addition to the traditional roles of anti-submarine and anti- surface warfare, the Wing is also responsible for long range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare and search and survivor supply missions.
No.9 Squadron
No.9 Squadron was originally formed in 1939, providing fleet support to numerous Australian, New Zealand and United Kingdom vessels in all theatres of World War II. Reformed in 1962, 9SQN operated Iroquois UH-1B helicopters for Search and Rescue and Army support, serving with distinction during the Vietnam War. Reformed again in 2023, 9SQN is preparing to operate the MQ-4C Triton with the intent to provide the integrated force with long-range, persistent and networked surveillance and reconnaissance.
No.10 Squadron
Formed in 1939, No.10 Squadron now operates Air Force’s Electronic Warfare (EW) capability, performing a multitude of tasks including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. 10SQN aircrew, maintenance and support personnel regularly deploy to a wide variety of operations and exercises within Australia and overseas. Over the coming years, 10SQN will transition from the AP-3C(EW) Orion to the MC-55A Peregrine aircraft.
No.11 Squadron
No.11 Squadron is Australia's premier maritime strike, patrol, reconnaissance and response squadron. The 'Blackcats' of 11SQN have recently transitioned operations from the Lockheed Martin AP-3C Orion to the latest generation maritime patrol aircraft, the Boeing P-8A Poseidon. Roles conducted by 11SQN include Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Maritime Strike, Maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Overland ISR, and Search and Rescue. 11SQN is a highly operational unit continuously deployed across domestic, regional and, at times, global theatres to gather intelligence, conduct international engagement and train to deliver integrated effects as a key element of the joint force.
No.292 Squadron
Originally formed as Maritime Analysis Training Squadron in 1977, No.292 Squadron is an operational conversion unit. Part of 92 Wing, 292SQN is responsible for training aircrew, maintenance, operations, and aviation system support personnel to operate Air Force’s P-8A Poseidon and MQ-4C Triton Maritime Patrol & Response capabilities. The world-leading facilities at 292SQN allow for initial and continuation training for members of 92WG with a reduced need for operational aircraft utilisation.
No.24 Squadron
No.24 (City of Adelaide) Squadron is one of 14 operational squadrons within 96 Wing, Combat Support Group (CSG). Its mission is to deliver permanent airbase capability at RAAF Base Edinburgh while supporting expeditionary operations. 24 Squadron is responsible for key functions including the Air Base Command Post, airbase security, Base Aviation Safety, Road and Air Movements, Mechanical Equipment Operations and Maintenance and operation of the Defence Fuel Installation – Aviation, as well as Chaplaincy and Physical and Recreational Training. 24SQN has a proud history having served with distinction in World War II in Papua New Guinea flying dive bombers and later in the Dutch East Indies flying heavy bombers.
No.453 Squadron Edinburgh Flight
No.453 Squadron was initially formed in May 1941 as a fighter squadron, later disbanding in January 1946. The unit was reformed on 1 December 2010 to provide quality Air Base Air Traffic Services to RAAF Edinburgh, Williamtown, Richmond, East Sale, Pearce and HMAS Nowra. The Edinburgh Flight is one of the smallest units on base, but provides the essential task of ensuring all aircraft in the area are provided with safe passage in the form of Air Traffic Control, as well ensuring Air Navigation Systems are maintained and serviced at the highest level.
Institute Of Aviation Medicine
The RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine enhances human aircrew performance and aviation safety through medical expertise. The institute ensures a safe, effective defence force through aviation medicine knowledge for aircrew, Aviation Medical Officer training and research. The unit is staffed by a mixture of uniformed and civilian personnel bringing with them diverse skills in aviation medicine, human factors and aeronautical life support.