Airfield Defence Guards (ADG) are a mustering of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) that are dedicated to the security and ground defence of airbases and other military aviation assets.Defence Jobs website Accessed on 22 June 2008 Other duties include instructing other RAAF personnel, in skills such as the handling of small arms and infantry tactics.
The mustering's members, commonly known as "Adgies", are mostly employed in RAAF Security Force (SECFOR) squadrons. Previously a Direct-Entry role, the ADG mustering has since become a specialist role for SECFOR members and only after serving a minimum 12 months can be applied for, where applicants are invited to a course. The role of SECFOR squadrons is the protection of RAAF equipment, personnel, assets and facilities, by countering attacks by the enemy including their special forces, infantry, local banditry, guerilla's, terrorist's and other irregular military.
ADGs are commanded by Squadron Leaders (SQNLDR) and assisted by Flight Lieutenants (FLTLT) and Flying Officers (FLGOFF) who are commissioned officers known as Ground Defence Officers (GRDEFO) they receive initial training at the Australian Army's Royal Military College (RMC), Duntroon. Following graduation from RMC, GRDEFOs undertake the Army Regimental Officer Basic Course (Infantry) prior to RAAF-specific training at the RAAF Security and Fire School (RAAFSFS), at RAAF Base Amberley.
ADG are comparable to the British Royal Air Force Regiment, and the USAF Security Forces. History
Pre World War II From 1929 the RAAF began to establish an Aerodrome Defence Scheme (ADS), primarily utilizing aircraft personnel to provide local defence of airfields, although it was initially limited in scope. Following the acquisition of the required equipment training began in 1931, including in both anti-aircraft and ground defence roles. Between 1931 and 1939 this also included exercises with the Army, during which Aerodrome Defence Sections defended an area against attacks by Australian Army units and RAAF aircraft. In 1939 it was directed that the scheme be expanded to include all units and stations.
Second World War
While the RAAF did not face a significant ground threat in the first years of World War II, an Air Force Guard mustering was proposed in 1940.Baker 1971, p.2. This mustering was to receive training in infantry tactics to defend RAAF bases against attack and would be modelled on the Royal Air Force Regiment. The idea never progressed and those recruited for the task were assigned to other mustering's. Following the bombing of Darwin in 1942 and ground attacks on Allied air bases, it was realised that the RAAF needed to defend its own airfields and that ground defence training was required for RAAF personnel.Baker 1971, p.4.
Following a request to the Army, Lieutenant Colonel H.H. Carr was seconded to the RAAF from 2/22 Battalion AIF in May 1942. Further secondments of infantry officers and NCOs followed and the RAAF Defence School was established at Hamilton, Victoria in September of that year. The school commenced training Army and RAAF officers and NCOs as Aerodrome Defence Officers and Aerodrome Defence Instructors, who were then posted to RAAF units to deliver ground defence training.
In October 1942, the Security Guards Unit was formed at Livingstone Field, Northern Territory.Kerr 1985, p.28. All RAAF guards were posted to this unit, irrespective of where they were serving. The Security Guards Unit was charged with providing guards for operational bases both within Australia and overseas. Trainees were instructed in the employment of anti-aircraft guns, ground patrolling, scouting and hand-to-hand combat. At first the unit had a strength of 567 personnel, increasing to 943 by July 1943; in that year the unit moved to Darwin.RAAF Historical Section 1995, p.162. The unit was renamed No. 1 Airfield Defence Squadron in April 1945.RAAF Historical Section 1995, p.164.
A second unit, the Defence Pool, was established at Noemfoor in December 1944.RAAF Historical Section 1995, p.163. It is believed that guards may have been trained at the Security Guards Unit and then posted to the Defence Pool for operational deployment. A detachment of the Defence Pool was deployed to Morotai island in early 1945 in order to prepare a camp for the arrival of the main party of the unit. The Defence Pool was subsequently ordered to be disbanded on 28 March 1945. A reconsideration led to the establishment of No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron.Stanley 1997, p.217.
By May 1945, ADGs had participated in a number of operations, including the recapture of Tarakan, Brunei and Balikpapan.Baker 1971, p.20. They suffered casualties, among them Leading Aircraftman Thomas Irvine and Corporal Clarence TullyStanley 1997, p.224. who were killed during Japanese raids on Tarakan airfield. LAC Irvine died on 5 May 1945Odgers 1957, p.458. and is believed to be the first ADG killed by enemy action. He is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery on Labuan Island.
Cold War
Post War Following the end of hostilities, both Airfield Defence Squadrons were disbanded on 19 November 1945. Aerodrome Defence Officers (ADOs) and Aerodrome Defence Instructors (ADIs) were retained to deliver basic ground defence instruction to RAAF members during initial and continuation training. A significant proportion of RAAF National Service recruits received training in ground defence techniques. This included the use of the .303 rifle, Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, Bren Light Machine Gun and hand grenades, in addition to fieldcraft skills. No. 1 Airfield Defence Squadron was re-established at Mallala, South Australia as a National Service unit in 1951, then once again disbanded in 1952. There is evidence to suggest that the RAAF considered the introduction of an armoured car capability in the 1950s,Stephens 1995, p.332. with ADIs attending training on Staghound vehicles with the Army at Puckapunyal;Walker 2007 p.144. this project was never brought to fruition.
In June 1965 a submission to the Air Board requested the establishment of 455 positions to provide for the defence of the eleven major RAAF bases in Australia, as well as overseas bases in Malaysia, Thailand and South Vietnam.Wilson 1999, p.85. In the end, the ADG mustering was re-established in October 1965Wilson 2003, p.79. with an authorised strength of 220 new positions in addition to the remustering of all Drill Instructors and ADGs.Stephens 1995, p.64. After the outbreak of the Vietnam War, Australia was asked to increase its level of commitment. To meet these new demands, the RAAF deployed a number of aircraft to Phan Rang Airbase, South Vietnam, in 1966. The USAF Security Police unit assigned to the base, asked the RAAF to contribute to the defence of the base.
Vietnam War ADG Flights were deployed to South Vietnam with 2 Squadron at Phan Rang Air Base and No. 1 Operational Support Unit (1OSU) at Vung Tau. ADGs were also deployed to Ubon Air Base, Thailand to protect the RAAF detachment based there, including 79 Squadron flying Sabre jets. In Vietnam ADGs conducted both static security tasks and security patrols outside the base perimeter,Bennett 1995, p.302. disrupting the Viet Cong ability to conduct stand-off attacks against the bases. Corporal N.E. Power became the first airman to win the Military Medal (MM) since the Second World War for a night action on 11 February 1970, during which an enemy reconnaissance party was successfully ambushed near the perimeter of the Phan Rang base.Coulthard-Clark 1995, p.238.Bennett 1995, p.318. Airfield Defence Guards also provided most of the door gunners on UH-1 Iroquois helicopters with No. 9 Squadron during the war.Odgers 1974, p.87.Haran 2004, p.26.
When the government of South Vietnam collapsed in 1975, Australia ordered the evacuation of its embassy in Saigon. The final mission undertaken by ADGs in Vietnam was to provide security for the evacuation.Ham 2007, p.597 The "last" evacuation aircraft was severely overloaded and four ADGs were left on the tarmac at Tan Son Nhut airfield, each armed with a pistol and four rounds of ammunition; a C-130 was diverted from Thailand to evacuate them later in the day.Ham 2007, p.601. Over 350 ADGs served in Vietnam, six being killed in the conflict.Airfield Defence Guard Association website Accessed on 8 July 2008 In addition to the MM awarded to Powers, GRDEFOs and ADGs were awarded an MBE, eight mentions in dispatches and four Distinguished Flying Medals of the ten awarded to RAAF members.Coulthard-Clark 1995, pp.242–243.
1972–1999 After withdrawal from Vietnam the ADG mustering was reduced in numbers, with Rifle Flights posted to RAAF Bases Amberley, Fairbairn, Richmond and Williamtown and ADGs manning instructional posts at other establishments.Kerr 1985, p.32. Although the RAAF contemplated disbanding the mustering in the mid-1980s, the years between the Vietnam War and the 1999 deployment to East Timor were spent consolidating tactics and techniques such as reconnaissance skills and Quick Reaction Force (QRF) operations. 2AFDS was reformed on 17 March 1983RAAF Historical Section 1995, p.1634 with the headquarters located at RAAF Base Richmond and the Rifle Flights remaining dispersed. The unit was eventually consolidated at RAAF Base Amberley in January 1989. It regularly deployed on RAAF and joint exercises such as those in the Kangaroo series along with occasional deployments to Malaysia and New Zealand.
New capabilities were trialled, such as scout dogs to aid in detection and tracking of enemy parties and the employment on Exercise Pitch Black 1990 of M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers from the Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment to provide armoured mobility for the QRF. Both capabilities may be considered to have matured in recent years with the attachment of Security Police (SECPOL) Military Working Dog (MWD) teams to ADG patrols and the introduction into RAAF service of the Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles.Air Force News website Accessed on 10 July 2008 In 1992 2AFDS became the first non-flying unit to be awarded the Duke of Gloucester Cup.Armstrong 1992, p.1
The period saw a generational change in weapons and equipment on issue to ADGs; jungle green uniforms were replaced by the Disruptive Pattern Combat Uniform (DPCU), the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), M16 and F1 Sub-Machine Gun were replaced by the F88 Austeyr assault rifle and Vietnam-era radios were replaced with the Raven series of VHF and HF sets. ADGs continued to deliver weapon and ground defence training to RAAF personnel and provided the majority of instructors for recruit, apprentice and initial officer training.
The scope of this role, the longest and most continuous of the ADG mustering and its predecessors, may be gauged by the delivery of conversion training from the L1A1 SLR to the F88 rifle for every member of the RAAF. At the same time the Ground Defence Training Sections, manned on each base by 3–5 ADGs and GRDEFOs, commenced delivery of additional ground defence training for all RAAF members as the service transitioned to an expeditionary role.
In 1992 1AFDS was reformed at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory as a Ready Reserve unit. The Ready Reserve Scheme involved recruits enlisting for 12 months full-time service, completing identical recruit and trade training to that undertaken by regular airmen, followed by 4 years part-time service.Smith 2006, p.36. The cadre staff of 1AFDS consisted of Permanent Air Force (PAF) GRDEFOs and ADG NCOs; while the Ready Reserve Scheme was abolished in 1996, the RAAF implemented the Ground Defence Reserve Group based upon a similar concept, although with the full-time service commitment reduced to 9 months. This scheme is still in operation.