Military Organisation and Structure
RAAF: Organisation
The RAAF, like the RAN, is not officially grouped along functional lines like the Army. RAAF personnel, however, can be classified into two broad categories: air crew and ground staff and within these categories are found a variety of occupations, known in the air force as "musterings".
RAF groundstaff with RAAF and Royal New Zealand Air Force Air Crew, England,
1944.
AWM UK1620
Air Crew
Aircrew are the personnel who are responsible for the operation of an aircraft and its weapons. They are:
- Pilots who actually fly the aircraft
- Navigators who plan the aircraft's flight path and then guide the pilot
- Bombardiers/Weapons System Operators who aim and then drop or fire the aircraft's main weapons
- Air Gunners who operate the weapons used for the aircraft's self-defence
- Observers who observe and report activity outside the aircraft, usually on the ground or sea
- Radio Operators/Communications Operators who operate the aircraft's communications equipment
- Loadmasters who ensure the safe and efficient stowage of cargo and passengers aboard the aircraft
- Engineers who monitor the aircraft's engines and other mechanical systems
- Tactical Systems Operators who operate an aircraft's electronic equipment, such as radar, sonar buoys, passive defensive systems etc.
Ground Staff
Ground staff are the personnel who support the operation of aircraft and the crew members who fly in them. There are actually more ground staff in the air force than air crew and this group includes a diverse range of trades and professions including:
- Air traffic controllers
- Airfield defence guards
- Armourers
- Chaplains
- Clerks
- Communications staff
- Dentists
- Doctors
- Drivers
- Fire fighters
- Intelligence staff
- Mechanics
- Nurses
- Parachute packers
- Supply staff
South Africa, 1900. Quarters for wounded on S.S Spartan. Naval and Medical
personnel can be seen in the background.
AWM P00653.016
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