The Royal Australian Air Force Maritime Section was the branch of the Royal Australian Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...

 responsible for manning boats operated by the Air Force. The typically small craft operated by the Section provided the RAAF with an air-sea rescue service, transported stores and provided support for seaplanes.

History

The RAAF's first boats were obtained in 1921 to support the Fairey III

Fairey III

The Fairey Aviation Company Fairey III was a family of British reconnaissance biplanes that enjoyed a very long production and service history in both landplane and seaplane variants...

 seaplanes based at RAAF Base Point Cook. The RAAF Maritime Section was massively expanded during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 and at its peak the Section operated over 600 powered and 700 unpowered craft (including several sailing vessels). While many of these craft were ex-civilian fishing boats, the RAAF also purchased a number of specialised craft. Small maritime sections were established at many RAAF bases in Australia and the South West Pacific and were administered by the units they supported. Most training for RAAF crews was undertaken at RAAF Base Rathmines

RAAF Base Rathmines

RAAF Base Rathmines was a Royal Australian Air Force base located on Lake Macquarie in New South Wales.RAAF Base Rathmines was established in 1939 and was the RAAF's main flying boat base during World War II and the early 1950s...

 in New South Wales

New South Wales

New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...

.

Following the war, the RAAF Maritime Section was greatly reduced to operate only 65 powered and 42 unpowered craft. This force was reduced further when the RAAF retired its seaplanes in 1952 and as helicopters replaced air-sea rescue

Air-sea rescue

Air-sea rescue is the coordinated search and rescue of the survivors of emergency water landings as well as people who have survived the loss of their sea-going vessel. ASR can involve a wide variety of resources including seaplanes, helicopters, submarines, rescue boats and ships...

boats. The RAAF Maritime Section was disbanded on 31 January 1993.