On the 1 January 2002, all of the Air Force's fast jet aircraft were grouped together under command of Air Combat Group. The union of the Strike Reconnaissance Group and the Tactical Fighter Group to form Air Combat Group has combined the considerable strengths and proud combat histories of these force element groups into a fighting force comprising over 2000 people and some 145 aircraft.

Air Combat Group now manages the complete spectrum of Australia’s fast jet air combat power, and is committed to deliver Australia’s ability to control the air and conduct precision strike.

Rather than focus on aircraft type or platform, Air Combat Group manages air power by delegating responsibility to Wings on the basis of core air power capabilities and operational training. Each of the Officers Commanding of the subordinate Wings will be able to fight specific campaigns. Operational training is conducted by No 78 Wing, control of the air is conducted by No 81 Wing, and precision strike and reconnaissance is conducted by No 82 Wing. These Wings will be assigned whatever Air Combat Group platforms are appropriate for those campaigns, which breaks down the traditional barriers of ‘fighters’ and strike.

Air Combat Group incorporates all the Air Force's F/A-18 Hornet, F-111 and Hawk squadrons plus the Forward Air Control Development Unit (FACDU), operating PC-9/A aircraft.

The units that make up Air Combat Group are quite geographically diverse. They are spread between RAAF Bases Amberley (QLD), Tindal (NT), Pearce (WA) and Williamtown (NSW) with the headquarters situated in Williamtown. From here the Commander of the Group exercises control, assisted by his headquarters staff.

The F-111 is operated by No 82 Wing at RAAF Base Amberley and is a part of the Air Combat Group that operates a mix of F-111, F-18 and Hawk fast jet aircraft.

The non-operational aircraft are maintained in storage at Amberley and are cycled through the operational fleet when required to ensure there is enough airframe hours available to meet the planned withdrawal date of at least 2010.

The operational fleet is divided between No 1 and No 6 Squadrons, both located at RAAF Amberley.

A Brief History of No. 1 Squadron

Following a request from the British Government in September 1915, Australia formed its own independent aviation force. The Australian Flying Corps. The AFC was an Army formation and part of the 1AIF. On 1 January 1916, Lieutenant Colonel E.H. Reynolds was posted as Commanding Officer of No. 1 Squadron of the AFC.

In 1921 the Royal Australian Air Force was formed and No. 1 Squadron of the RAAF inherited the proud traditions and the heritage from No. 1 Squadron of the AFC.

When war broke out in September 1939, No. 1 Squadron carried out patrols searching for the German ships “Lahn” and “Strassfort” off the Victorian Coast. Ansons were replaced with the arrival of the first Lockheed Hudsons in early 1940.

On December 1940, a newly acquired Hudson of No. 1 Squadron was the first allied aircraft to spot the Japanese invasion fleet heading for northern Malaysia. Subsequently No. 1 Squadron was tasked to strike the first blows against Japan. Heavy losses of aircraft on the ground forced the withdrawal of No. 1 Squadron to Sumantra in 1942, from where reconnaissance and bombing sorties were mounted.

In 1968 No. 1 Squadron personnel departed for the USA to convert onto the Canberra’s replacement, the F-111C swing-wing fighter-bomber. Technical difficulties delayed delivery of the F-111C and so the F4E Phantom was obtained as an interim replacement.

No. 1 Squadron has been operating the F-111C since 1973 in the low-level strike role, simulating attacks on land and maritime targets. Exercises have been conducted throughout Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, the Philippines and the United States.

Future projects for the aircraft include an updated Electronic Warfare Suite, the ACM-142 Standoff missile, and the latest version of the Harpoon Anti-Ship missile.

No.77 Squadron was formed in Perth on 16 March 1942 with Kittyhawk aircraft obtained from the USA.

On 12 August 1942 the Squadron moved to Darwin and on 21 February 1943 was relocated to Milne Bay, New Guinea. At the end of World War II 77SQN became part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. Occupation duties continued until 25 June 1950, when the UN called on the Squadron for operations in Korea. Flying Mustang fighters, the Squadron's main operations were attacks in support of ground forces.

When they took delivery of the Meteor jet fighter in July 1951, Squadron operations changed to fighter sweeps and escort missions before eventually resuming the ground attack role in December 1951.

77SQN returned to Australia (Williamtown) in November 1954. Following the acquisition of Avon-Sabre aircraft in 1956 they departed Australia for Butterworth in Malaysia, returning to Australia in 1969. In mid 1970 they were re-equipped with the Mirage fighter at Williamtown. The F/A-18 aircraft was introduced to the Squadron in July 1987.