Air Force Band History

The Air Force Band was formed in 2008 following the amalgamation of the RAAF Central Band and the Air Command Band.

With a heritage that goes back to the earliest days of the Air Force, the Band continues to provide the finest standard of musical entertainment and ceremonial support that has made it famous for over 85 years.

The Air Force Band is currently conducted by:
Commanding Officer / Music Director: SQNLDR Stephen Wright
Administration Officer / Deputy Music Director: FLTLT Mathew Shelley

Central Band History

In line with the high profile sought by the Royal Australian Air Force soon after its formation, a part-time band was formed in February 1923 at Point Cook, Victoria, known simply as the RAAF Band. Significant amongst its early activities was its role as the official band for all ceremonial duties and the grand public military review for the opening of Parliament House in Canberra in 1927.

The band moved to Laverton during World War II, and was established as a permanent band under the title RAAF Central Band in 1952. As the Air Force's primary representational band, its early highlights included the presentation of the Queen's Colour for the Air Force in 1952, support for much of the 1954 Royal Tour, and duties as the official band for the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. In 1969, Central Band toured Vietnam and Malaysia, providing ceremonial support and morale-boosting concerts for troops. And in 2004 Central Band did the same for the troops in Iraq.

The band established a world-wide reputation for its musical abilities with the award of a Gold Record in 1975 for the Thirty Smash Hits of the War Years. In 1989, RAAF Central Band had the honour of being presented with the Governor-General's Banner by Bill Hayden, AC. Central Band was the only band in the Commonwealth to be honoured in such a way.

The band can be seen performing at venues across Australia in support of regal, vice regal, Defence Force ceremonial and public performances. In doing so, the band meets its mission to "promote and enhance the image and culture of the Air Force through music and ceremony". Due to the great variety of musical styles required for ceremonial and public relations tasks, Central Band provides several music ensembles. These include a ceremonial band, concert band, marching band, ceremonial fanfare team, ten-piece stage band, brass quintet, woodwind quintet, clarinet quartet, jazz ensemble and various other ensembles as required.

Air Command Band History

In 1932, a part-time brass band was established at RAAF Base Richmond. It was appropriately known as the RAAF Richmond Band. It became a full time unit in 1969, and became the RAAF Number One Regional Band. In 1972, the band was renamed the RAAF Operational Command Band.

In 1988, after the re-organisation of RAAF Air Headquarters, the band again renamed as the Air Command Band. Squadron Leader John Buckley was the final musical director of the Air Command Band. He was appointed as Commanding Officer of the unit in July 2000 until the band merged with the RAAF Central Band to become the Air Force band in January 2008.

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