| Warrant Officer of the Royal Australian Air Force (WOFF-AF) | |
|---|---|
_WOFF-AF_rank_ins.svg){kind=icon} Incumbent since 1 December 2022Ralph Clifton | |
| Style | Warrant Officer of the Air Force (Warrant Officer) |
| Inaugural holder | Richard (Dick) Newton |
| Website | WOFF-AF |
Warrant Officer of the Air Force (WOFF-AF) is the seniorWarrant Officer in theRoyal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is a singular appointment, being it is only held by one person at any time. The special insignia for the WOFF-AF is the Australian Coat of Arms encircled by a wreath of Australian native flora. The current Warrant Officer of the Air Force is Ralph Clifton.[1]
Similar to theUnited States Air Force practice of appointing aChief Master Sergeant of the Air Force,[citation needed] the WOFF-AF is responsible to theChief of Air Force (CAF). The post was created in 1993, by the then Chief of the Air Staff, Air MarshalBarry Gration, to provide a conduit between Air Force's senior leadership and the airman ranks.[2]
The WOFF-AF is head of the Royal Australian Air Force's Senior Enlisted Leadership Team (SELT). The SELT comprises all Tier C and Tier B Warrant Officers (E-9) in the Air Force. The members of the SELT have the responsibility of providing support to command, support to the workforce, and welfare for all. The SELT comprises Air Force Warrant Officers selected for Tier progression by CAF to perform the roles of Warrant Officer of the Air Force, Air Force Headquarters andRAAF Air Command Warrant Officers, along with Group, Wing or Base Warrant Officer positions located within Air Force. Tier Warrant Officer positions provide the Warrant Officers with direct contact to Commanders, Executive Staff as well as Senior Officers and Airmen.
The SELT participate in open discussion forums designed to look at issues facing Air Force and enlisted personnel now and in the future. This enables a shared understanding of matters affecting Air Force and enlisted personnel across the whole Force, and where appropriate the Australian Defence Force (ADF). With the SELT geographically dispersed across the country, it is important that there is a common understanding of the issues in Air Force, ADF and with enlisted personnel.
Under the leadership of the WOFF-AF, the SELT continuously look within themselves to ensure they are developing core behaviours as a team to support a culture of Inclusive Leadership. Within theAustralian Defence Force, the Air Force contributes highly skilled and agile senior enlisted leaders to undertake key appointments in the Joint environment, in both strategic and operational roles.
Since 2017, upon appointment to the position of WOFF-AF, E-9 Warrant Officers are promoted to the Enlisted Rank of E-10.[citation needed]
The WOFF-AF appointment is an equal peer to theRegimental Sergeant Major of the Army (RSM-A) in theAustralian Army andWarrant Officer of the Navy (WO-N) in theRoyal Australian Navy.
| # | Name | Term began | Term ended | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard (Dick) NewtonAM | 15 February 1993 | 4 February 1996 | E-9 | Retired from Active Duty[2] |
| 2 | Bryan TuckeyOAM | 5 February 1996 | 13 June 1999 | E-9 | Retired from Active Duty |
| 3 | John Boydell | 14 June 1999 | 1 August 2002 | E-9 | Retired from Active Duty[3][4] |
| 4 | Peter HallAM | 2 August 2002 | 15 December 2005 | E-9 | Commissioned and promoted wing commander (O5)[3] |
| 5 | Ray WoolnoughAM | 16 December 2005 | 16 December 2008 | E-9 | Retired from Active Duty[5][6] |
| 6 | John (JJ) MillarAM | 16 December 2008 | 4 November 2011 | E-9 | Commissioned squadron leader (O4) on leaving post[6][7] |
| 7 | Mark PentreathCSM | 4 November 2011 | 1 December 2015 | E-9 | Commissioned squadron leader (O4) on leaving post[1][8] |
| 8 | Robert Swanwick | 1 December 2015 | 6 November 2019 | E-10 | Retired from Active Duty |
| 9 | Fiona GrasbyOAM | 6 November 2019 | 1 December 2022 | E-10 | |
| 10 | Ralph Clifton | 1 December 2022 | Incumbent | E-10 |
Each year on 31 March, at a dawn ceremony on the banks ofLake Burley Griffin at Regatta Point in Australia's capital city ofCanberra, the WOFF-AF has the esteemed honour of performing thesalute on behalf of all Australian Airmen, as theRoyal Australian Air Force Ensign is raised to mark the anniversary of the formation of the Royal Australian Air Force in 1921. The Ensign is hoisted aloft the 40 metre high Canadian Flag Pole byAustralia's Federation Guard and flown for the day. The Ensign flying in the National Capital serves as a symbol of the respect the people of Australia hold for the service and sacrifice of the Royal Australian Air Force to the Nation, in times of both war and peace.
The WOFF-AF undertakes the role of Reviewing Officer at Air Force ceremonial events, such as the graduation parades of enlistees from No 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU) atRAAF Base Wagga, and other Air Force or Joint training establishments. On such occasions, the WOFF-AF Pennant is flown.
The WOFF-AF is the Royal Australian Air Force's custodian of the Airmen's Code.
Leadership of theAustralian Defence Organisation | |
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(Headquarters:Russell Offices) | |
| Australian Defence Organisation | |
| Australian Defence Force |
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| Royal Australian Navy |
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| Australian Army | |
| Royal Australian Air Force |
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| Department of Defence |
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