Units

No 1 Airfield Defence Squadron

No. 1 Airfield Defence Squadron (1AFDS), whose motto is "First to Defend", is an integrated squadron of full- and part-time (Reserve) personnel.

While the squadron headquarters are at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, 1AFDS has part-time (Reserve) Rifle Flights in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

The squadron's crest comprises a crossed rifle and sword surmounted by a crocodile. The crocodile is symbolic in that it aggressively defends its territory against all intruders and can strike quickly to disable any aggressor. The symbolism of the crocodile aligns with the protective role of Airfield Defence Guards and the aggressive patrolling and decisive actions performed providing security to otherwise vulnerable air bases.

No 2 Airfield Defence Squadron

No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS), whose motto is "Defend the Eyrie" (an eyrie being an eagle's nest), is presently the only full-time Airfield Defence Squadron within the Air Force. 2AFDS is based at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

The squadron's crest is a crossed rifle and sword surmounted by a wedge-tailed eagle in flight. The crossed rifle and sword is symbolic of the ground defence specialisation and represents both the offensive and defensive nature of ground defence within the Air Force and its inherent need to provide close-in and far-reaching security to counter hostile ground forces.