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The early history of Australian Army aviation has traditional links with the Australian Flying Corps (AFC), Royal Australian Artillery (RAA), and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). From the formation of modern Army aviation in the late 1950s and early 1960s aircrew were drawn from arms and services across the Army, supplemented by the RAAF in key positions. Throughout the sixties Army personnel gradually replaced the Air Force members until all operational positions were filled by Army. In 1968, the Australian Army Aviation Corps was formed which provided a coherent career path for aircrew and, eventually, ground support personnel who sought a career in Army aviation.

This history traces the early activities of the Australian Flying Corps and then the growth of Army aviation from the re-commencement of Army flying in the late 1940s. It has been sourced from existing official and non-official documents, internet sources and personal recollections. It is not a definitive history and will always be subject to correction, change and update. Readers are welcome to provide input and commentary via the link to the website editor.

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