Warrant Officer of the Air Force (WOFF-AF) is the senior

Warrant Officer Warrant officer (WO) is a rank or category of ranks in the armed forces of many countries. Depending on the country, service, or historical context, warrant officers are sometimes classified as the most junior of the commissioned ranks, the mo ...

in the

Royal Australian Air Force "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colours = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = RAAF Anniversary Commemoration ...

(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. Similar to the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Si ...

practice of appointing a

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (acronym: CMSAF) is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Air Force. The holder of this rank and position of office represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force, ...

, the WOFF-AF is responsible to the Chief of Air Force (CAF). The post was created by the then Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Barry Gration, in 1993 to provide a conduit between Air Force's senior leadership and the airman ranks. 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 and

RAAF Air Command Air Command is the operational arm of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is headed by the Air Commander Australia, whose role is to manage and command the RAAF's Force Element Groups (FEGs), which contain the operational capability of the ...

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 the

Australian Defence Force The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of the Commonwealth of Australia and its national interests. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Fo ...

, 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. The WOFF-AF appointment is an equal peer to the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (RSM-A) in the

Australian Army The Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of Australia, a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army (CA), who ...

and

Warrant Officer of the Navy Warrant Officer of the Navy (WO-N) is the most senior sailor in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It is a singular appointment, being only held by one person at any time. The special insignia for the WO-N is the Australian coat of arms with a wre ...

(WO-N) in the

Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the principal naval force of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. CN is also jointly responsible to the Minister o ...

Appointees

Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ensign Raising Ceremony

Each year on 31 March, at a dawn ceremony on the banks of

Lake Burley Griffin Lake Burley Griffin is an artificial lake in the centre of Canberra, the capital of Australia. It was completed in 1963 after the Molonglo River, which ran between the city centre and Parliamentary Triangle, was dammed. It is named after Wal ...

at Regatta Point in Australia's capital city of

Canberra Canberra ( ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The ci ...

, the WOFF-AF has the esteemed honour of performing the

salute A salute is usually a formal hand gesture or other action used to display respect in military situations. Salutes are primarily associated with the military and law enforcement, but many civilian organizations, such as Girl Guides, Boy Sco ...

on behalf of all Australian Airmen, as the

Royal Australian Air Force Ensign The Royal Australian Air Force Ensign is used by the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Air Force Cadets in Australia and overseas. It is based on the Australian national flag, with the field changed to Air Force blue, and the sou ...

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 by

Australia's Federation Guard Australia's Federation Guard (AFG) is a tri-service ceremonial unit made up of members from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force. Formed in 2000 for the centenary celebrations of Federation of Australia, it ...

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.

Warrant Officer of the Air Force Badges and Insignia of Office

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) at RAAF Base Wagga, and other Air Force or Joint training establishments. On such occasions, the WOFF-AF Pennant is flown.

Airmen's Code

The WOFF-AF is the Royal Australian Air Force's custodian of th
Airmen's Code

References

External links

Warrant Officer of the Air Force

ADF Pay & Conditions Manual - Equivalent ranks and classifications
Royal Australian Air Force Military appointments of Australia Warrant officers {{Australia-mil-stub