On Tuesday 31 March 2009, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) marked 88 years of proud service to Australia. Throughout the decades, Air Force members have developed a reputation for courage and dedication to duty in conflict, peacekeeping and humanitarian tasks.
RAAF's birthday is a time to reflect on the sacrifices of personnel throughout history and to recognise the vital contributions Air Force continues to make to current Australian Defence Force operations in Australia and around the world.
Today more than 500 Air Force personnel are playing an important role on operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Darfur, East Timor and Solomon Islands, as well as at home conducting border protection duties in Australia’s maritime domain.
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Royal Australian Air Force Amberley personnel form a flight at Brisbane City Parliament House before marching down George Street to participate in the Air Force 88th anniversary celebrations held at Queen's Gardens, Brisbane City.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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Royal Australian Air Force Amberley personnel salute Air Commodore Chris Sawade, Commander Combat Support Group and other dignitaries as they march down George Street, Brisbane City to celebrate the Air Force 88th anniversary of its formation held at Queen's Gardens.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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Royal Australian Air Force Amberley personnel progressed into Queen's Gardens after marching down George Street, Brisbane City to celebrate the Air Force 88th anniversary of its formation.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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A Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster conducts a fly-over Queen's Gardens, Brisbane City before the ceremony that celebrated the 88th anniversary of the formation of the Air Force.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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Leading Aircraftman Sam Davidson, a Communication Electronics Fitter, formed part of the Catafalque Party during the Air Force 88th anniversary celebrations held at Queen's Gardens, Brisbane.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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The crowd looks on as speeches are delivered at the Queen's Gardens ceremony in Brisbane celebrating the 88th anniversary of the Air Force formation.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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Air Commodore Chris Sawade, Commander Combat Support Group Royal Australian Air Force Amberley delivers a speech at Queen's Gardens, Brisbane, during the celebratory ceremony commemorating the 88th anniversary of the formation of the Air Force.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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Air Commodore Chris Sawade, Commander Combat Support Group Royal Australian Air Force Amberley lays a wreath around the cenotaph at Queen's Gardens, Brisbane during the 88th anniversary celebration of the formation of the Air Force.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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Wreaths were laid around the cenotaph at Queen's Gardens, Brisbane city to celebrate the 88th anniversary of the formation of the Air Force.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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Royal Australian Air Force Amberley Catafalque Party present arms as the Air Force ensign is lowered during the Air Force 88th anniversary celebrations held at Queen's Gardens, Brisbane City.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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(Left to right) State President, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Association QLD Division, Mr John Carlile; and Commander Combat Support Group RAAF Amberley, Air Commodore Chris Sawade. Mr Carlile and Air Commodore Sawade participated in the ceremony held in Brisbane City to celebrate the 88th anniversary of the RAAF.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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(Right) Commander Combat Support Group Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Amberley, Air Commodore Chris Sawade, is pictured with (left) a member of the Caterpillar Club, RAAF Association QLD Division, Mr Robert Chester, after the RAAF 88th anniversary celebrations.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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Australia's Federation Guard and the Warrant Officer of the Royal Australian Air Force attend the flag raising ceremony at Lake Burley Griffin, Regatta Point, Canberra on the dawn of the 88th anniversary of the founding of the RAAF.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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To celebrate the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) 88th anniversary the RAAF ensign was raised on the Canadian flag pole at Regatta Point, Canberra.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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To celebrate the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) 88th anniversary the RAAF ensign was raised on the Canadian flag pole at Regatta Point, Canberra.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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Chaplains, Air Commodore Murray Earl, Air Commodore Peter O’Keefe and Group Captain Kevin Russell lead the commemorative service celebrating the 88th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Australian Air Force.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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Leading Aircraftman Matthew Mitchell of the Australian Federation Guard rests on arms reversed during the commemorative service celebrating the 88th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Australian Air Force.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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Members of Australia's Federation Guard hoist the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) ensign up onto the Canadian flagpole.
The RAAF ensign was raised over Lake Burley Griffin at Regatta Point, Canberra on the dawn of the 88th anniversary of the founding of the RAAF.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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A member of Australia's Federation Guard gets wrapped in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) ensign just before it is hoisted up the Canadian flagpole.
The RAAF ensign was raised over Lake Burley Griffin at Regatta Point, Canberra on the dawn of the 88th anniversary of the founding of the RAAF.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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Warrant Officer of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Warrant Officer J.J. Millar salutes as the RAAF Ensign is hoisted up the Canadian flagpole.
The RAAF ensign was raised over Lake Burley Griffin at Regatta Point, Canberra on the dawn of the 88th anniversary of the founding of the RAAF.
(Date taken: 27 March 2009)
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