Air Force 100 Centenary of service
On 31 March 2021, the Royal Australian Air Force(RAAF) will mark 100 years of service to Australia. It will be an important time to reflect on the RAAF’s enduring contribution to the security of Australia.
From the Force’s modest beginnings in 1921, the Air Force has grown into a potent, world class Air Force which Australia relies upon in both conflict and peace. When Australia needs them, they are ready to respond.
Air Force Centenary events will highlight the spectrum of air and space power capabilities in today’s Air Force, and Air Force’s contributions to the Australian Defence Force’s Joint Force effects more broadly as part of One Team, One Defence.
Air Force 2021 is planning a national series of events and initiatives that will honour the sacrifices and service of the last 100 years, demonstrate today’s highly capable force, and foreshadow its continued evolution into the future.
Commemorations in the national capital, Canberra, for the Air Force Centenary will be open to current and Former Air Force members with events ticketed to control numbers of attendees to meet the COVID requirements applicable in March, 2021. A separate ballot will be advertised and conducted for current serving Air Force members.
National events in Canberra open for nomination to attend include:
- A Commemorative Service at the Air Force Memorial, ANZAC Parade, Canberra on March 30th 2021
- A memorable flypast of current and former RAAF aircraft at Rond Terrace, Canberra, as part of the presentation of the “Queen’s Colour for the RAAF” ceremony on March 31st – which will be televised by the ABC and displayed at Ron Terrace
All Former Air Force members are invited to submit a nomination to attend one of these events. It is permissible to nominate to attend multiple events but if successful in the ballot you may only be selected to attend one event to ensure the widest possible attendance across the Air Force family.
COVID requirements regarding numbers of people at events will determine the number of participants and a ballot is being conducted in order to allow the broadest representation of current and Former Air Force members.
All participants will be responsible for their own travel, accommodation and related costs to attend events. It is recommended that travellers purchase travel insurance to cover cancellations and access restrictions that may apply because of COVID requirements.
Nominations for attendance close at 5pm Friday 5th February, 2021.
Please note that if you have already submitted an expression of interest to attend through the Air Force Association, there is no need to register again. Nomination in and of itself does NOT guarantee you will be successful. Successful nomination will be notified by email on the 1st of March 2021. You will be required to RSVP by the 7th of March 2021 to secure your ticket.
Nominate on line here: https://raaf.eventsair.com/air-force-centenary/veterans/Site/Register
Current serving and Former members unable to attend in person are encouraged to participate by viewing the live broadcast conducted by the ABC, at home, on base, at their local RSL or at their usual meeting places.
Planning is underway for the commemoration, across Australia, of the Royal Australian Air Force’s formation in March 1921 and further information, including updates to the timing of the live broadcast, may be obtained at www.airforce.gov.au/100.
