From

July 1950

To

1977

Occupations

Armed services organisation

Summary

A new Australian women's air force was formed in July 1950 and in November became the Women's Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF). 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 and today, with the exception of the airfield defence units, there are few jobs within the RAAF barred to women.

Sources used to compile this entry: http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/structure/waaaf.htm; Minister for the Department of Veterans' Affairs speech, 'Wreath-laying ceremony to mark the commencement of Air Force Week, 1997', 23 March 1997; Sydney Morning Herald, 1943.