Air Force Training Group (Royal Australian Air Force)
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| Air Force Training Group (Royal Australian Air Force) | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Air Force Training Group |
| Native name | AFTRG |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Type | Training formation |
| Role | Aircrew and technical training |
| Garrison | RAAF Base Wagga |
| Dates | 2006–present |
| Commander | Air Commodore (varies) |
Air Force Training Group (Royal Australian Air Force) is the principal training formation of the Royal Australian Air Force, responsible for delivering aircrew, combat, technical and ground trade instruction across multiple schools and units. It consolidates legacy training organisations and coordinates aeronautical, engineering and survival instruction to support Project Air 5428, AP-3C Orion crews, KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircrew and maintenance personnel. The Group interfaces with allied institutions such as the United States Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force and industry partners including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, CAE Inc. and Thales Group.
History
Air Force Training Group was established during a period of structural reform within the Royal Australian Air Force to centralise and modernise training previously dispersed across commands. Its formation followed reviews akin to those that led to the creation of Air Command (RAAF), drawing on precedents from the restructuring of No. 1 School of Technical Training and amalgamations similar to the consolidation that created Defence Force School of Signals arrangements. Early initiatives included integration of methods from the Joint Services Command and Staff College and adoption of simulation programs influenced by Australian Defence Force force-modernisation plans. Over time the Group absorbed legacy schools associated with No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. 79 Squadron RAAF heritage, and technical training traditions originating at RAAF Base Point Cook and Wagga Wagga.
Organisation and Structure
Air Force Training Group is organised into discrete wings and schools reporting to a headquarters at RAAF Base Wagga. Subordinate elements include flying training squadrons, technical training schools, survival and specialist training units, and doctrine cells liaising with Air Warfare Centre (Australia). The Group’s command relationships mirror structures found in formations such as Air Combat Group (RAAF) and Surveillance and Response Group (RAAF), while staff branches coordinate policy with Chief of Air Force and Headquarters Air Command. Administrative support interacts with the Australian Defence Force Academy, Defence Force Recruiting, and corporate trainers from Defence Materiel Organisation-era programs. International exchange officers from the United States Navy, Royal Navy, and French Air and Space Force have been embedded within organisational staff.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Group’s core responsibilities encompass pilot and aircrew training, advanced conversion, instructor development, technical trade courses, and ground support training for airfield operations and logistics. It provides initial and continuation training for crews operating platforms such as the F/A-18F Super Hornet, E-7 Wedgetail, C-130J Hercules, and rotary types previously trained on platforms including the S-70A Black Hawk. Additional remit covers survival, evasion, resistance and escape instruction akin to programmes run by No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit (RAAF)'s predecessors, aeromedical training coordinated with Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army medical services, and simulation-based training influenced by international standards such as those of NATO training centres.
Units and Training Schools
Key units and schools under the Group include the basic flying training units historically linked to No. 1 Flying Training School (RAAF), advanced and operational conversion units similar to No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, the School of Technical Training lineage, and specialist schools for survival and instructor development. Associated units reflect historical links to No. 79 Squadron RAAF’s heritage in jet training, maintenance schools descended from No. 5 Aircraft Depot practices, and ground trade schools once part of the Wagga Technical College relationship. Exchange and liaison detachments maintain ties with the United States Air Force Academy, Royal Air Force College Cranwell, and Canadian Forces College.
Aircraft and Training Equipment
Training aircraft types and synthetic training devices form a mixed fleet encompassing basic, advanced and multi-engine platforms to mirror operational equipment. This has included piston and turboprop basic trainers comparable to those used at No. 1 Flying Training School (RAAF), multi-engine conversion aircraft in the lineage of No. 33 Squadron RAAF training support, and jet conversion assets reflecting No. 76 Squadron RAAF histories. The Group employs full mission simulators supplied by industry partners such as CAE Inc. and Thales Group, flight simulators aligned with Boeing and Lockheed Martin cockpit standards, and maintenance training rigs that replicate systems on F-35 Lightning II and KC-30A platforms for sustainment trades.
Facilities and Bases
Primary headquarters and several schools are located at RAAF Base Wagga, with satellite units and detachments at RAAF Base East Sale, RAAF Base Williamtown, RAAF Base Amberley, and RAAF Base Richmond. Training ranges, survival training areas and electronic warfare training facilities reflect cooperative arrangements with state entities in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. Simulator centres and classroom complexes maintain links with tertiary partners including Charles Sturt University, University of New South Wales, and technical colleges that historically supported RAAF training pipelines.
Notable Operations and Developments
Major developments have included transitions to advanced synthetic training, contributions to joint exercises such as Pitch Black, interoperability initiatives with Exercise Talisman Sabre, and participation in multinational training exchanges with Red Flag and RIMPAC derivative activities. Programmatic upgrades have mirrored defence procurement efforts like Project Air 7000 and logistics support frameworks under the auspices of organisational reforms comparable to earlier Defence white papers. The Group has also supported operational surge training during humanitarian and disaster relief responses coordinated with agencies such as Australian Federal Police and state emergency services, drawing on lessons from deployments to regional operations and coalition commitments.