Stories of Interest

September 14 marked National Peacekeepers’ Day recognising the service of our peacekeepers since 1947.

PNG/Australia aviation history is proudly displayed in its Aviation Heritage Centre in Port Moresby.

Corporal John 'Snow' Coughlan became the first RAAF member awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM), the highest flying award for non-commissioned ranks (other than the Victoria Cross), since World War II.

"The Double Sunrise Flight earned its name due to the unique experience of passengers and crew witnessing two sunrises on each journey..." - The remarkable story of the flights that connected Australia and England via Sri Lanka during World War II.

We remember the life of Dr Ronald Charles Creffield Houghton DFC L’dh, President of the Bomber Command Association of Australia, who passed away on 21 April 2024 at the age of 99.

80 years ago, one of the most audacious prison breaks in history occurred from Stalag Luft III.

Cpl Herbert Walter (Bertie) Whicker was the first fatality for the newly formed Australian Air Force...

This year we marked the 80^th anniversary of one of the most important events of World War II - D-Day. 

In February 2024, the Sub-Branch of the VVAA (Vic) and the Vietnam Veterans Branch of AFA Victoria held their AGM and, significantly, their last combined meeting.

In keeping with 2024 ANZAC day theme of Peacekeeping, AFA Victoria Vice President (and former Peacekeeper), Wing Commander Daryll Topp (Retd) was invited to deliver the keynote address. WGCDR Topp was deployed to Sinai Peninsula as a peacekeeper with the ANZAC contingent in 1983 as part of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO).

On the 82^nd anniversary of the bombing of Darwin, we honoured those who served and who lost their lives.

On 28 August 1972, a RAAF Caribou carrying 28 PNG Army cadets was reported missing enroute from Lae to Port Moresby, instigating a search and rescue operation. FLGOFF Graeme Christian (Retd), captain of the rescue Iroquois A2-490, recounts the events. (Article source: WINGS Autumn 2023) 

LISTEN: Henry Young, WW2 Naval Seafire and Sea Fury Pilot, chats with interviewer, Gareth McCray OAM.

Listen: AC John Oddie (retd) AM, CSC - Operations in War, Border Protection, Peace Keeping, Humanitarian Relief.

Former AFA national Vice President Sharon Bown has received an AM in the King's Birthday honours.

We look at the life and career of flying ace, Peter Isaacson, the ninth AFA Victoria president from 1956 to 1959. 

Commemorating the life and career of Air Marshall John ‘Jake’ William Newham AC (Retd), 1930 - 2022.

AD ASTRA podcasts are an AFA and AFA NSW initiative, capturing recollections of our Air Force people. Listen now. 

The Royal Air Force has donated a Tornado GR4 to the AFA (WA Division) Aviation Heritage Museum.

AFA Victoria remembers Arthur H C Atkins DFC, 625 Squadron Lancaster Pilot: 5 August 1917 - 16 October 2022.

Research into Richard (“Dickie”) Reynell RAF 32091 - an Aussie pilot killed in action in the Battle of Britain in 1940 - revealed a unique story of a remarkable individual who became one of the “The Few” that were both test pilots and fighter pilots. 

Sir Lawrence James Wackett KBE, DFC, AFC (1896 – 1982) is widely regarded as "father of the Australian aircraft industry". He has been described as "one of the towering figures in the history of Australian aviation covering virtually all aspects of activities: pilot, designer of airframes and engines, entrepreneur and manager.  

Captain (later Air Commodore) Harry Cobby GM, CBE, DSO, DFC and 2 Bars, MID, US Medal of Freedom was President of the Victorian Division of the Air Force Association from 1944 to 1946.  He served in the Australian Flying Corps in the First World War and in the RAAF during the Second World War.

The Royal Australian Air Force will mark its 100th anniversary with a spectacular flypast over Canberra.

Some time ago, a builder, who was demolishing an old suburban house in Melbourne, noticed an envelope with faded snapshots dumped in a rubbish bin. Here is the story behind some more of those old photos.