Airfield Defence Guards The Airfield Defence Guard ( ADG ) mustering of the Royal Australian Air Force ( RAAF ) performs specialist ground defence tasks to protect air power assets from hostile ground action . The mustering is composed of non - commissioned members , commonly called ' ADGies , ' most of whom are employed within an Airfield Defence Squadron ( AFDS ) . Their primary role is the protection of RAAF equipment , personnel , assets and facilities during operations . While ADGs train to counter special forces as the primary ground threat to the projection of air power , ADGs are themselves conventional forces . Other duties include training RAAF personnel in weapon handling and basic ground defence tactics . ADGs are commanded by commissioned officer s known as Ground Defence Officers ( GRDEFO ) who receive initial training at the Australian Army ' s Royal Military College ( RMC ) , Duntroon . Following graduation from RMC , GRDEFOs undertake the Army Regimental Officer Basic Course ( Infantry ) prior to RAAF - specific training at the RAAF Security and Fire School ( RAAFSFS ) , RAAF Base Amberley . ADGs do not operate anti - aircraft weapons , which are the responsibility of the Army ' s Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery . They are comparable to the British Royal Air Force Regiment , or the United States Air Force Security Forces . Current structure . The ADG mustering may be broadly divided into those positions contained within an AFDS and those within other units . Within Combat Support Group , No . 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing ( 395ECSW ) commands the two Airfield Defence Squadrons . A third unit , No . 3 Airfield Defence Squadron , and a higher headquarters ( the Airfield Defence Wing ) were disbanded following a reorganisation in 2006 . Airfield Defence Squadrons are deployable tactical units , broadly comparable in size and structure to an infantry independent rifle company , capable of providing force protection for RAAF elements or other formations . 2AFDS comprises four Rifle Flights and a Support Flight ; each Rifle Flight consists of four 10 - man Sections and a Headquarters element of one GRDEFO , a SGT and a signaller . Support Flight contains communications , signals , field engineering and reconnaissance elements ( including snipers ) and is commanded by a GRDEFO and an ADG Flight Sergeant . 1AFDS is an integrated unit of permanent and reserve members ; while it is headquartered at RAAF Base Edinburgh , South Australia , it has reserve Rifle Flights located in New South Wales , South Australia , Tasmania , Victoria and Western Australia . In recent history 1AFDS has relocated to Amberley and has gained more permanent members with 3 rifle flights and is working closely with 2AFDS Permanent Air Force NCOs may be posted to a Ground Defence Training Section ( GDTS ) at any major RAAF base in Australia or to certain training units within Air Force Training Group . GDTS staff undertake both a training role and provide specialist advice to unit commanders . Reserve NCOs may be posted to an AFDS , or to an instructional post or Reserve Airbase Protection Flight within one of the RAAF ' s ' City ' Squadrons ( Nos . 13 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 & 31 SQNs ) . ADG Warrant Officers ( WOFFs ) may be posted to staff or policy positions within a higher headquarters . History . Second World War . While the RAAF did not face a significant ground threat in the first years of World War II , an Air Force Guard mustering was proposed in 1940 . This mustering was to receive training in infantry tactics to defend RAAF bases against attack and would be modelled on the Royal Air Force Regiment . The idea never progressed and those recruited for the task were assigned to other musterings . Following the bombing of Darwin in 1942 and ground attacks on Allied air bases , it was realised that the RAAF needed to defend its own airfields and that ground defence training was required for RAAF personnel . Following a request to the Army , Lieutenant Colonel H . H . Carr was seconded to the RAAF from 2 / 22 Battalion AIF in May 1942 . Further secondments of infantry officers and NCOs followed and the RAAF Defence School was established at Hamilton , Victoria in September of that year . The school commenced training Army and RAAF officers and NCOs as Aerodrome Defence Officers and Aerodrome Defence Instructors , who were then posted to RAAF units to deliver ground defence training . In October 1942 the Security Guards Unit was formed at Livingstone Field , Northern Territory . All RAAF guards were posted to this unit , irrespective of where they were serving . The Security Guards Unit was charged with providing guards for operational bases both within Australia and overseas . Trainees were instructed in the employment of anti - aircraft gun s , ground patrolling , scouting and hand - to - hand combat . At first the unit had a strength of 567 personnel , increasing to 943 by July 1943 ; in that year the unit moved to Darwin . The unit was renamed No . 1 Airfield Defence Squadron in April 1945 . A second unit , the Defence Pool , was established at Noemfoor in December 1944 . It is believed that guards may have been trained at the Security Guards Unit and then posted to the Defence Pool for operational deployment . A detachment of the Defence Pool was deployed to Morotai island in early 1945 in order to prepare a camp for the arrival of the main party of the unit . The Defence Pool was subsequently ordered to be disbanded on 28 March 1945 ; however a reconsideration led to the establishment of No . 2 Airfield Defence Squadron . By May of that year ADGs had participated in a number of operations , including the recapture of Tarakan , Brunei and Balikpapan . They had also suffered casualties , among them Leading Aircraftman Thomas Irvine and Corporal Clarence Tully who were killed during Japanese raids on Tarakan airfield . LAC Irvine died on 5 May 1945 and is believed to be the first ADG killed by enemy action ; he is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery on Labuan Island . 1945 – 1965 . Following the end of hostilities , both Airfield Defence Squadrons were disbanded on 19 November 1945 . Aerodrome Defence Officers ( ADOs ) and Aerodrome Defence Instructors ( ADIs ) were retained to deliver basic ground defence instruction to RAAF members during initial and continuation training . A significant proportion of RAAF National Service recruits received training in ground defence techniques . This included the use of the . 303 rifle , Thompson Sub - Machine Gun , Bren Light Machine Gun and hand grenades , in addition to fieldcraft skills . No . 1 Airfield Defence Squadron was re - established at Mallala , South Australia as a National Service unit in 1951 , then once again disbanded in 1952 . There is evidence to suggest that the RAAF considered the introduction of an armoured car capability in the 1950s , with ADIs attending training on Staghound vehicles with the Army at Puckapunyal ; this project was never brought to fruition . In June 1965 a submission to the Air Board requested the establishment of 455 positions to provide for the defence of the eleven major RAAF bases in Australia , as well as overseas bases in Malaysia , Thailand and South Vietnam . In the end , the ADG mustering was re - established in October 1965 with an authorised strength of 220 new positions in addition to the remustering of all Drill Instructors and ADIs . After the outbreak of the Vietnam War , Australia was asked to increase its level of commitment . To meet these new demands , the RAAF deployed a number of aircraft to Phan Rang Airbase , South Vietnam , in 1966 . The USAF Security Force unit assigned to the base , asked the RAAF to contribute to the defence of the base . Vietnam War . ADG Flights were deployed to South Vietnam with 2 Squadron at Phan Rang Air Base and No . 1 Operational Support Unit ( 1OSU ) at Vung Tau . ADGs were also deployed to Ubon Air Base , Thailand to protect the RAAF detachment based there , including 79 Squadron flying Sabre jets . In Vietnam ADGs conducted both static security tasks and security patrols outside the base perimeter , thus disrupting the Viet Cong ability to conduct stand - off attacks against the bases . Corporal N . E . Power became the first airman to win the Military Medal ( MM ) since the Second World War for a night action on 11 February 1970 , during which an enemy reconnaissance party was successfully ambushed near the perimeter of the Phan Rang base . Airfield Defence Guards also provided most of the door gunners on UH - 1 Iroquois helicopters with No . 9 Squadron during the war . When the government of South Vietnam collapsed in 1975 , Australia ordered the evacuation of its embassy in Saigon . The final mission undertaken by ADGs in Vietnam was to provide security for the evacuation . The " last " evacuation aircraft was severely overloaded and four ADGs were left on the tarmac at Tan Son Nhut airfield , each armed with a pistol and four rounds of ammunition ; a C - 130 was diverted from Thailand to evacuate them later in the day . Over 350 ADGs served in Vietnam , six being killed in the conflict . In addition to the MM awarded to Powers , GRDEFOs and ADGs were awarded an MBE , eight mentions in dispatches and four Distinguished Flying Medal s of the ten awarded to RAAF members . 1972 – 1999 . After withdrawal from Vietnam the ADG mustering was reduced in numbers , with Rifle Flights posted to RAAF Bases Amberley , Fairbairn , Richmond and Williamtown and ADGs manning instructional posts at other establishments . Although the RAAF contemplated disbanding the mustering in the mid - 1980s , the years between the Vietnam War and the 1999 deployment to East Timor were spent consolidating tactics and techniques such as reconnaissance skills and Quick Reaction Force ( QRF ) operations . 2AFDS was reformed on 17 March 1983 with the headquarters located at RAAF Base Richmond and the Rifle Flights remaining dispersed ; the unit was eventually consolidated at RAAF Base Amberley in January 1989 . It regularly deployed on RAAF and joint exercises such as those in the Kangaroo series along with occasional deployments to Malaysia and New Zealand . New capabilities were trialled , such as scout dogs to aid in detection and tracking of enemy parties and the employment on Exercise Pitch Black 1990 of M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier s from the Army ' s 2nd Cavalry Regiment to provide armoured mobility for the QRF . Both capabilities may be considered to have matured in recent years with the attachment of Security Police ( SECPOL ) Military Working Dog ( MWD ) teams to ADG patrols and the introduction into RAAF service of the Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles . In 1992 2AFDS became the first non - flying unit to be awarded the Duke of Gloucester Cup . The period saw a generational change in weapons and equipment on issue to ADGs ; jungle green uniforms were replaced by the Disruptive Pattern Combat Uniform ( DPCU ) , the L1A1 Self - Loading Rifle ( SLR ) , M16 and F1 Sub - Machine Gun were replaced by the F88 Austeyr assault rifle and Vietnam - era radios were replaced with the Raven series of VHF and HF sets . ADGs continued to deliver weapon and ground defence training to RAAF personnel and provided the majority of instructors for recruit , apprentice and initial officer training . The scope of this role , the longest and most continuous of the ADG mustering and its predecessors , may be gauged by the delivery of conversion training from the L1A1 SLR to the F88 rifle for every member of the RAAF ; at the same time the Ground Defence Training Sections , manned on each base by 3 – 5 ADGs and GRDEFOs , commenced delivery of additional ground defence training for all RAAF members as the service transitioned to an expeditionary role . In 1992 1AFDS was reformed at RAAF Base Tindal , Northern Territory as a Ready Reserve unit . The Ready Reserve Scheme involved recruits enlisting for 12 months full - time service , completing identical recruit and trade training to that undertaken by regular airmen , followed by 4 years part - time service . The cadre staff of 1AFDS consisted of Permanent Air Force ( PAF ) GRDEFOs and ADG NCOs ; while the Ready Reserve Scheme was abolished in 1996 , the RAAF implemented the Ground Defence Reserve Group based upon a similar concept , although with the full - time service commitment reduced to 9 months . This scheme is still in operation . As individuals or in small groups , ADGs and GREDFOs deployed on peacekeeping operations in the Sinai and Bougainville , were attached to Army units providing Rifle Company Butterworth rotations and deployed to the Middle East with No . 33 Squadron in 1998 . 2AFDS also deployed a Rifle Flight to assist with the evacuation of civilians from Cambodia in 1997 as part of Operation Vista . East Timor . Whilst preparing for deployment to Exercise Crocodile 99 , 2AFDS , along with No . 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron ( 381ECSS ) and 382ECSS , were warned out for duty in East Timor on Operation Warden . Both 381ECSS and 382ECSS had ADGs and GRDEFOs on strength . 2AFDS and 381ECSS commenced deployment to Comoro Airfield , Dili , on 20 September 1999 ; 381ECSS began arriving at Cakung Airfield , Baucau on 11 October 1999 . 2AFDS undertook static security , access control and reconnaissance patrol tasks , in addition to establishing observation posts and providing a Quick Reaction Force ( QRF ) . Reinforcements arrived on 4 November 1999 comprising 37 members of 3AFDS , an integrated permanent and reserve squadron headquartered at RAAF Base Amberley ( subsequently disbanded in December 2006 ) . The additional manpower also allowed the squadron to assume responsibility for the Dili heliport in December . 2AFDS was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation and the Commanding Officer , Squadron Leader J . D . Leo , received the Distinguished Service Medal for performance during Operation Warden . Solomon Islands . ADGs and GRDEFOs deployed to Henderson Field , Honiara as part of the RAAF component of Joint Task Force 635 on Operation Anode , the ADF contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands ( RAMSI ) . Following severe rioting in April 2006 , members of 2AFDS were deployed as part of the ADF response to support police in reestablishing law and order . A further link with the Solomon Islands exists via Protective Service Officer Adam Dunning of the Australian Federal Police , who was shot and killed in Honiara in December 2004 . Although deployed to the Solomon Islands in his civilian role , Dunning was a reservist ADG and had previously served with 2AFDS in East Timor . Iraq . As part of Operation Catalyst , ADGs provided force protection to the RAAF air traffic control detachment at Baghdad International Airport , during 2003 – 04 . Thirteen ADGs from 2AFDS deployed to Baghdad with Security Detachment ( SECDET ) 13 , the Australian combat team providing security for the Australian Embassy and close protection for officials . The ADGs were integrated within the infantry component of SECDET 13 , drawn from the 7th Battalion , Royal Australian Regiment ( 7RAR ) . Interestingly , the Commanding Officer 7RAR , Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel , commenced his military career as a RAAF GRDEFO , serving with 2AFDS and as Base Ground Defence Officer , RAAF Base Tindal ; he has also served with the RAF Regiment . Afghanistan . The RAAF Control and Reporting Centre , based at Kandahar airport , included an embedded ground defence element which provided specialist force protection advice . This deployment formed part of Operation Slipper , the ADF contribution to the International Security Assistance Force ( ISAF ) . ADGs continue to be deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations ( MEAO ) in small numbers to provide specialist support to operations . Other operations . In addition to the major campaigns listed above , in recent years ADGs have been involved in a range of smaller scale operations . These have included Operation Gold , the provision of ADF support to the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 ; Operation Deluge , the provision of security to the 2007 Asia - Pacific Economic Co - operation Forum meetings in Sydney ; and Operation Ramp , the evacuation of Australian and foreign nationals from Lebanon in 2006 during the conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah . 2AFDS was presented with a Squadron Standard by the Governor - General of Australia , Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce , at RAAF Base Amberley on 19 May 2011 Selection , training and conditions . As ADGs perform a combat role , women are currently precluded from the mustering . Members are enlisted as ADGs in the Permanent Air Force for an initial period of service of four years ; those joining the Ground Defence Reserve Group are employed on full - time service for 11 months , followed by 4 years part - time service . Once a candidate has successfully completed RAAF recruit training they attend the 15 - week ADG Basic course at the RAAF Security and Fire School ( RAAFSFS ) RAAF Amberley , Queensland . Upon completion of trade training ADGs may wear the blue - grey beret which identifies them as a ground defence specialist . Airmen graduate from ADG Basic course with the rank of Aircraftman ( AC ) and are posted to either 1AFDS or 2AFDS . Following a further 12 months service and favourable reporting , ADGs are reclassified to the rank of Leading Aircraftman ( LAC ) . Post - graduate training may be undertaken to qualify in communications , field engineering / assault pioneer , direct fire support weapons , close personal protection and sniping ; the majority of these courses being undertaken at Army training establishments . Further promotion is based upon minimum periods in rank , successful completion of appropriate trade and promotion courses , performance reporting and availability of positions . All ADGs must qualify as weapon instructors prior to promotion to NCO rank . Out of mustering postings may be available , with ADGs having served within Australia ' s Federation Guard , as career advisers within a Defence Recruiting Centre and as Military Skills Instructors ( MSIs ) at No . 1 Recruit Training Unit ( 1RTU ) , RAAF Base Wagga Wagga and Officer Training School ( OTS ) , RAAF Base East Sale . Duties and mission roles . ADGs form the basis of the Air Force ' s ground combat force , protecting Base assets , infrastructure and personnel against attack by enemy ground forces . For planning purposes , a nominal Area of Operations ( AO ) for RAAF ground defence is usually extends to five kilometres from the airfield perimeter fence ; in practice , however , the AO assigned to ADGs is determined by variables such as available forces , terrain , vegetation etc . ADGs are trained and equipped to locate , fix and destroy enemy ground forces , ideally during the reconnaissance phase of any intended attack on RAAF assets . This is achieved by the deployment of multiple patrol teams , usually consisting of 4 – 5 members , undertaking reconnaissance patrols , observation and listening posts . These teams are supported by specialist elements including snipers operating in a counter - sniper role . Once the enemy are located , forces are concentrated to engage and destroy their capability to complete their task . ADGs also provide a Base Commander with a Quick Reaction Force ( QRF ) mounted in wheeled vehicles . QRF teams are heavily armed and act as a mobile reserve to provide a counter - attack or counter - penetration capability should an enemy evade the patrol screen . In addition to their operational role ADGs provide essential ground defence training to the remainder of the RAAF . This includes instruction in weapon handling , ground defence and security tactics and Chemical , Biological , Radiologican and Nuclear ( CBRN ) defence . Non - Commissioned Officers ( NCOs ) may be posted to instructional positions at 1RTU ; OTS ; the Australian Defence Force Academy ( ADFA ) , Canberra ; Combat Survival Training School ( CSTS , also known as COMSURV ) , RAAF Base Townsville ; RAAF Security & Fire School , RAAF Base Amberley or a Ground Defence Training Section ( GDTS ) at any RAAF Base in Australia . Equipment . The weapons and equipment issued to ADGs are similar to standard Australian infantry equipment