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The Fleet Air Arm provide the long-range capability of the Surface Fleet.
The Fleet Air Arm (FAA), known formerly as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) responsible for the operation of aircraft.
The FAA was founded in 1947.
In 2000, following the removal from service of the land-based Hawker Siddeley HS 748 aircraft, the FAA became an all-helicopter force, operating in the anti-submarine warfare and maritime support roles.
Specialisation badges are issued for the achievement of specialist qualifications or acquisition of skills. Rate badges are worn on the right arm to identify specific specialisations.
All ‘square rig’ and ‘fore-and-aft’ working rigs had red rank and rate badges until 1990. RAN winter uniforms have since had only gold badges, while summer uniforms or ‘whites’ continue to have dark blue.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the British Royal Navy (RN) basically used the same insignia until 1966, when ‘Australia’ flashes were added to both shoulders.
