Fighter World

08/03/2026

International Women’s Day
‘Balance the Scales’ is the official theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, highlighting the continuing need to ensure fair, inclusive, and accessible justice for every woman and girl.

Women in the Air Force
To honour all women and recognise the important role that women have played in the formation of today's Air Force, Fighter World invited more than 70 Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF), RAAF and Australian Air Force Cadet (AAFC) women to join in a celebration of their achievements.

The event was an opportunity to celebrate more than 85 years of women’s participation in the RAAF and the 75th anniversary of the formation of the WRAAF. Local ladies who served in the WRAAF between 1951 and 1977 were the guests of honour.

Wing Commander (WGCDR) Linda New of History and Heritage Branch - Air Force introduced keynote speaker WGCDR (Ret'd) Dr Mary-Anne Whiting, SGT Karla (Indigenous Liaison Officer Williamtown), CPL Angela (ADF Careers Centre Wollongong), LACW Tasmin from 77 SQN and Cadet Warrant Officer Jian from 321 Squadron AAFC.

It was inspiring to hear their stories and what the future holds for women joining the Air Force in the 21st Century.

08/03/2026

29/01/2026

Commemorating 85 Years of Women in the Air Force

Today we are commemorating 75 years since the formation of the WRAAF, and 85 years of women in the Australian Air Force, with the formation of the WAAAF on 25 February 1941.
The Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force which functioned during World War II was disbanded in December 1947, but in July 1950 the re-formation of women’s services in Army, Navy and Air Force was approved, in principle, by Cabinet. This time, the Air Force’s women’s service would no longer be an ‘auxiliary’ but a branch of the Permanent Air Force. The new Service would be known as the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF).
The first WRAAF Recruit course commenced on this day, 75 years ago, at RAAF Laverton, Victoria.
The WRAAF was disbanded in 1977 and female personnel were absorbed into the mainstream RAAF. Australia’s first female air force pilots graduated in 1988.
Watch the Memories of the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force 1951-77 documentary series at bit.ly/3iBml52.
Save the date: Sunday 8th March, 2026 for a special event commemorating Women in the Air Force. Details to be shared later.
No 1 WRAAF Course, at RAAF Laverton.
Rear:
ACW Oaten, ACW Watson, ACW Gavegan, ACW Downs, ACW Anderson, ACW Barry, ACW Coates, ACW Sullivan, ACW Fry, ACW Northey.
Front:
Unknown, ACW Treacy, ACW Kinnish, SGT Hancocks, Unknown, CPL Vizard, Unknown

25/01/2026

🚨 FLYING ACTIVITY: Salt Ash Air Weapons Range, NSW 🚨

RAAF Base Williamtown Air Combat Group units will resume training into Salt Ash Air Weapons Range (SAAWR) from Tuesday 27 January 2026.

Flying will commence with No 76 Squadron aircraft operations beginning Tuesday 27 January 2026. Operations are scheduled on weekdays only, between 9am to 5pm.

✈ Tuesday 27 January through to Friday 30 January
✈ Monday 2 February through to Friday 6 February
✈ Monday 9 February through to Friday 13 February
✈ Monday 16 February through to Friday 20 February

No 4 Squadron Pilatus PC-21 aircraft will conduct intermittent training on SAAWR including some night flying.

Every effort is made to minimise inconvenience to residents during SAAWR training. Residents are advised the range schedule can change at short notice due to weather or operational considerations.

More information here ➡ https://www.airforce.gov.au/news-events/events/hawk-aircraft-training-returns-salt-ash-air-weapons-range

23/01/2026

Eyes to the sky! ✈

On Monday 26 January our aircraft will conduct flypasts around Australia in support of celebrations.

Check out the locations and timings here ➡ https://www.airforce.gov.au/news-events/events/adf-flypasts-australia-day
(Flypasts updated as at 25 January)

Defence is unable to support every flypast request that it receives. This is due to a combination of factors which include operational tasking and preparedness activities required of the Royal Australian Air Force.

Air Force Roulettes

10/12/2025

Check out our new Fighter World 2026 Calendar with photos by Chris Barrett! Available in-store and online www.fighterworld.com.au/shop

21/11/2025

18/11/2025

You’re invited to the book launch of ‘Stan & Mags: A Flight to the Past’ 📖 🐨

‘Stan & Mags’ is an interactive story, set at Fighter World, that connects readings with activities in STEM, Morse Code, biomimicry & coordinates. This story has everything from history to time travel and friendship. If you’ve got young kids – or just love an interactive story – this is the perfect book for you.

✈️ WHERE: Fighter World hangar
🗓️ WHEN: Thursday 27th November, 10:30am

The author, Susan Wright, is a big part of our Fighter World family. Her husband and daughter are regular volunteers, and their family contribute massively to the community we have here! 🛩️

25% of profits from the book will be donated to Fighter World, helping us to preserve Australia’s aviation history.

If attending, please RSVP to the author, Susan Wright, via email at: [email protected]

everafterendings

10/11/2025

Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November each year to remember and honour Australian men and women who have served and died for the nation. It marks the anniversary of the Armistice signed in 1918, which ended fighting in the First World War.

On this day, Australians reflect on the service and sacrifice of more than 330,000 Australians who served overseas and the over 60,000 who died during WWI, as well as the more than 103,000 Australians who have died in all wars, conflicts, and peace operations.

At 11 am, the nation observes a minute of silence to honour all service personnel who died in service.

Lest we Forget

04/10/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT // WE ARE RECRUITING!!

We are excited to announce that our official national RECRUITING period has now commenced!! The Australian Air Force Cadets will recruit from 01 October 2025 through to 31 March 2026, for a start date in February 2026 (or until Squadron capacity has been reached). *Cadets turning 13-16 in 2026 are eligible to join now!

📍 HOW TO JOIN the Air Force Cadets:
Ready to take flight for an adventure of a lifetime? Follow the link here:
https://www.airforcecadets.gov.au/how-to-join

📍 MORE INFORMATION:
- Who we are, what we do: https://www.airforcecadets.gov.au/
- How to join (Cadets, Volunteers + Pilots): https://www.airforcecadets.gov.au/how-to-join

***PLEASE NOTE:
- We are excited to welcome you and also want you to know that this time is the busiest on our calendar. Our staff are predominantly volunteers and whilst we plan for the influx of enquiries each year, we work as quickly as they can to get back to you. Thank you for your patience during this time.
- Many of our Squadrons have wait lists and/or fill up before the end of the year. To avoid disappointment please complete your Expression of Interest (EOI) and have it submitted ASAP. The best point of contact to see how your application is progressing is directly to the Squadron that you're applying to.
- Squadrons manage their own recruit applications. For updates on your EOI/recruit application, and for details on when the next Parent Informational Night will be, your point of contact is the Squadron that you're applying to. You can find their contact details here: https://www.airforcecadets.gov.au/how-to-join/wings



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🇦🇺 We look forward to receiving your applications!

02/10/2025

Need some long weekend plans? We’ve got you covered… come in and chat with a fighter pilot! ✈️

We’ve got one of our resident pilots coming in, ready to chat all things aviation!

WHEN: Sunday 5th October
TIME: 10am - 12pm

Bring your family, friends & all those burning questions! 🛩️

(Please note: we will not be releasing any information that may identify the pilot. If you’d like to meet them, please come along on Sunday!)

30/09/2025

Newcastle Jets set to roar. Nice threads and what a great backdrop for your product launch.