The RAAF revamps language in culture change

The RAAF has announced a significant change to its language to instil a “strong sense of identity” among personnel.

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17 transport aircraft at Port Moresby International Airport. Picture: Andrew Kutan/AFP

The Royal Australian Air Force has announced all personnel will now be referred to as aviators rather than airmen “to instil a stronger sense of identity” as it heads into its second century.

RAAF chief, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld revealed the change at a centenary dinner that hosted past and present aviators.

He said that as the Air Force charted its path forward, a stronger sense of identity was needed.

“Of all the work that has been done in developing our Air Force culture, the most challenging dilemma has been fully explaining who we are,” Air Marshal Hupfeld said.

“We understand well enough what we are and what we do – but have never quite managed to successfully articulate WHO we are. We are ALL aviators.”

He went on to say that the term should not simply apply to pilots because as an Air Force, they were all “born of the air and space” and their “common and collective purpose was to think, act and imagine from the perspective of the skies and space above us”.

“It is our home and the place from which we serve our nation,” said Air Marshal Hupfeld.

“Our trade is aviation. In everything that we do, we are aviators first and foremost. All of us, by virtue of what we do and what we believe. It is what binds us together.”

A statement announcing the name change said it coincided with a revamp of Air Force culture.

“The new program (Our Air Force, Our Culture) builds on the foundation of previous measures, and closely aligns with the update to the Air Force strategy launched in 2020,” said the statement.

The RAAF has made a concerted effort in recent years to be more inclusive, targeting an increase in the proportion of women personnel from 22.9 per cent to 25 per cent by 2023.

There are no restrictions on the employment of women in any part of the Air Force including pilot positions, and in 2019, the RAAF became the first military organisation in the world to achieve accreditation as a breastfeeding friendly workplace.