From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Royal Australian Air Force

General Informaiton Current structure of the RAAF Ranks of the RAAF List of aircraft List of bases List of squadrons History of the RAAF Commands Air Command Current Operations Operation Astute Other Airfield Defence Guards Air Force memorial

The Airfield Defence Guards (ADG) are the Royal Australian Air Force's ground security force. Similar to the Royal Air Force Regiment or the United States Air Force Security Forces the Airfield Defence Guard's responsibilities include the protection of equipment, personnel, assets and facilities of the RAAF. Other duties include training other RAAF personnel in weapons handling and defensive tactics in order to protect the assets of the RAAF. Ground Defence Officers receive training at the Air Force's Officer Training School which is situated at RAAF Williams, Point Cook, Victoria.

The ADG is tasked with a counter-special forces role and regularly trains against units tasked with the capture of airfields such as 4RAR (a commando regiment) and U.S. Army Rangers. Recently their duties were expanded to include combat search and rescue of downed pilots.^{[citation needed]} This was previously the responsibility of 4RAR and the Special Air Service Regiment.

The Airfield Defence Guard force was established in 1966. Since then ADG units have served overseas in several countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The ADGs are currently grouped as No. 1 Airfield Defence Wing (1AFDW). 1AFDW currently commands three operational squadrons:

• No. 1 Airfield Defence Squadron (1AFDS) - RAAF Edinburgh
• No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS) - RAAF Amberley
• No. 3 Airfield Defence Squadron (3AFDS) - RAAF Amberley

1AFDS and 3AFDS are manned by both full-time RAAF and RAAF Active Reserve personnel. No. 2 AFDS is a full-time active unit of the RAAF.

All of the Airfield Defence Squadrons operate in the ground defence role, with Low Level Air Defence being the responsibility of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. In addition, 2AFDS and 3AFDS are deployable tactical units that enable the RAAF to maintain ground defence commitments either for itself or other formations. 2AFDS and 3AFDS also operate the Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle.

• RAF Regiment
• United States Air Force Security Forces
• Objektschutzbataillon

• (English) Australian SF Community