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In 1939, Townsville City Council transferred the city airport to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). RAAF Base Townsville was formed on 15 October 1940 and has a long and proud association with the people of North Queensland.

Roughly halfway through the four-month period designated as the Battle of Britain, Flight Lieutenant P.C. (‘Pat’) Hughes was killed in action.

The origins of the Base are traced back to May 1939 when Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced that Forest Hill would become the site of the RAAF’s new flying school (No. 2 Service Flying Training School).

The Air Force Nursing Service is formed, giving RAAF its own nursing capability.

RAAF Base Amberley commenced operations on 17 June 1940 with its initial role being a centre for flying training and recruiting

Formed in June 1940, RAAF Base Darwin was very rapidly at the front line of Australia's defences at the outbreak of war in the Pacific. Darwin and its satellite fields housed a multitude of Australian and US units, operating throughout the South-West Pacific.

The first Lockheed Hudson was received by the RAAF on 26th January 1940. The Hudson was an American civilian transport aircraft converted for military use during World War II. It was the first American combat aircraft type to be placed into…

RAAF participates in Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) during World War II.

No 10 Squadron undertakes active service.

Formal approval of the new Air Force Badge.

Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced to Parliament that Australia was offering the British Government an expeditionary force to bolster the Royal Air Force as it expanded for World War II.

RAAF Base Pearce was officially granted station status on 6 February 1939 and is located in the suburb of Bullsbrook, approximately 35 kilometres north of Perth, Western Australia. The base, the only permanent RAAF base on the west coast is home to No. 79 Squadron, No. 2 Flying Training School and No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron as well as several other units, including No. 130 Squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Introduction of the NA-16-1A aircraft and its maiden flight in Australia at Laverton. Although only an advanced trainer, orders for the Wirraway eventually ran to 755 aircraft, making this a key element in the development of Australian industry.

Formation of Nos 21 and 22 Squadrons.

Wireless Section of the Air Force Reserve.

Hoisting of the Air Force Ensign during a ceremony conducted on Cape Bruce, Antarctica.

Aerial photography of the New South Wales-Victoria border area around Albury.

The first Air Force member to save their life in a mid-air emergency by using a parachute.

Charles Kingsford Smith crosses the Pacific Ocean.

The first freefall parachute in Australia.

RAAF Base Williams - Laverton is located beside the Princes Highway next to the Laverton railway station, Victoria, about seven kilometres away from RAAF Base Point Cook. Since the airfield was decommissioned in 1996 there have been no flying units or flying activity at Laverton.

RAAF Base Richmond lies approximately 50 kilometres north-west of Sydney, and is situated between the towns of Richmond, from which the base takes its name, and Windsor. Richmond was activated as a RAAF station when No. 3 (Composite) Squadron’s first 3 aircraft arrived there on 30 June 1925, as part of the unit’s relocation from Point Cook, Victoria.

The Citizen Air Force became part of the Air Force with the appointment of the first 18 pilots to the General Duties Branch.

The first Air Force air show was held in Melbourne on the 13 December 1924.

First round Australia aerial survey flight by Air Force’s acting Chief of the Air Staff, Wing Commander S.J. (‘Jimmy’) Goble, and pilot, Flying Officer Ivor McIntyre.

Experimental aircraft design and testing section of the Royal Australian Air Force.

Avro 504K trainer became the first aircraft built in Australia for the RAAF.

Around 240 Officers and Airmen complete three months of training.

RAAF Point Cook is located on the shores of Port Phillip Bay, 20 kilometres south west of the Melbourne central business district, near the township of Werribee, Victoria and is synonymous with the birth of military aviation in Australia.

The formation of the Australian Air Force was announced in the Australian Government Gazette on 31 March 1921. Later in the year on 13 August, following receipt of approval from the King, the Governor General signed an order authorising the use of ‘Royal’ making this the start date for the use of the Royal Australian Air Force name.