The past helps shape our future
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By David Wilson

Not to know what happened before one was born is to remain a child. – Cicero.

During this period of international tension and corporate reorganisation, the importance and value of recording current activity cannot be overstressed.

The documentary trail of decisions that lead to a certain activity, the mounting and outcome of subsequent operations and the logistic, maintenance and manning support required, will be essential to enable subsequent analysis to confirm, or vary, the future direction of the Air Force.

The Air Force is dynamic and visionary, but Cicero’s quote is a reminder that it is imperative that the service remember its heritage and history to grow to maturity.

While contemporary events undoubtedly influence the way air forces operate, an appreciation of history and its hard won lessons is also essential to ensure that organisational development is based on sound foundations. As stated in Fundamentals of Australian Aerospace Power, history is one of the key ingredients in the development of our doctrine. As the custodians of our history, RAAF Historical Records provides the Aerospace Centre and the Air Force with an invaluable service by preserving and then allowing us access to our past.

RAAF Historical Records is the repository of unit records and has an important role to ensure that basic data and appropriate historical and archival material is identified, and retained, to provide the basis for informed, measured, and well balanced decisions to be made.

DI (AF) ADMIN 8-7 Unit History Records requires units and commanding officers to submit monthly history reports.

Regular reporting means that events and activities can be recorded and preserved with greater accuracy, this in turn enhances confidence in the recorded information and ultimately the value of any lessons to be learned.

The range of subjects referred to RAAF Historical Records is vast. They include all aspects of Air Force history, such as requests for information on the personal service career of family members, aircraft markings, accidents, casualties, campaigns, battles and bravery awards. Much of the work is of a quasi-legal nature, checking assertions made to verify Department of Veterans’ Affairs claims and medal entitlements.

RAAF Historical Records might be able to assist with the identification of material held in the National Archives of Australia and give advice on the procedures followed by similar organisations in the UK and US.

Over many years, RAAF Historical Records has assisted numerous researchers, both national and international, over a wide range of topics. This research has, in some instances, led to the publication of unit histories and monographs. It has been a heartening development that post-graduate and under graduate students, from within the Air Force and associated tertiary institutions, are aware of, and use, the corporate knowledge and primary source material available.

• David Wilson is the Executive Officer, RAAF Historical Records, Aerospace Centre.

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