1 Recruit Training Unit
No 1 Recruit Training Unit was formed on the 2 August 1954 at RAAF Base Richmond. The unit then relocated to RAAF Rathmines (near Newcastle) on 28 April 1958, then to RAAF Base Wagga on 30 November 1960, RAAF Base Edinburgh on the 27 March 1964 and now back to RAAF Base Wagga. WRAAF Recruit Training Flight was incorporated into the unit on 21 July 1965 until being relocated as Women's Training Unit (WTU) to 1 Stores Depot Tottenham on 13 June 1976. After a second move to RAAF Laverton from January 1977 until January 1981, WTU was disbanded and re-joined 1RTU at RAAF BAse Edinburgh.
Since it's formation, 1RTU has provided initial recruit training to over 40,000 entrants. Recruit courses today vary from the permanent Air Force Recruit Course, Active Reserve Recruit Course to the Ground Defence Reserve Group Recruit Course, as well as providing training for Military Skills Instructors. We provide a positive impression of the RAAF to the recruits, the people who will be the future of our Air Force.
Governor-General's Banner for No. 1 Recruit Training Unit
. The Governor-General's Banner was presented to No 1 Recruit Training Unit on 4 October 1989 for 25 years service as a non-operational unit of the Air Force. The Banner is of blue silk with wattle and is fringed and tasselled with blue and gold. The Banner is mounted on a staff surmounted by an eagle and features the Unit Badge. The top left corner features the Governor-General's flag.
1RTU Badge
The unit badge depicts the two-headed god 'Janus', the god of gateways and protector of all beginnings, surmounting the words 'Across the Threshold'; a motto considered appropriate to the function of 1RTU.
