AddressAn Air Force Ground Defence Officer's primary duty is to defend Air Force airfields, assets and personnel from ground attack. Training will reflect both your peace and wartime role in security operations. Your major operational role within a Security Forces Squadron will be on deployed operations. The major focus for GRDEF members posted outside of the operational environment is the effective training of Air Force personnel in core military skills.
You will need to be physically fit to carry out your duties as a Ground Defence Officer (GRDEF) and therefore will need to maintain an appropriate level of physical fitness. There is also a regular requirement to travel which can lead to unique experiences and opportunities within Australia and abroad.
On graduation from training, an Air Force Ground Defence Officer will normally command a Rifle Flight in a Security Forces Squadron. You will be responsible for commanding and leading the 30 personnel in the Rifle Flight who are specialists in the Ground Defence of airfields and other security tasks.
After the first posting, a Ground Defence Officer's duties will change from leading a Rifle Flight in the field to training and organising.
A Base Ground Defence Officer who may be responsible for:
- Planning the conduct of operations and training exercises in conjunction with unit executives
- Advising base commanders on Ground Defence policy
- Training base personnel to defend Air Force assets in accordance with Ground Defence policy and the Base Defence Plan
- Ground defence continuation training, i.e. ensuring that all Base personnel qualify in the use of small arms annually, construction of field defences, static guard duties and field training exercises
- Combat survival continuation training
- Nuclear, biological and chemical defence training
- The administration and control of base fire services
- Land search and rescue teams
- The conduct of weapons competitions
- The control of the base Armoury and small arms range
- Base security (on some bases)
An Instructor with:
- The RAAF Security and Fire School at RAAF Base Amberley, QLD which is responsible for the initial and post-graduate training of Airfield Defence Guards, initial GRDEF training for Security Police/Military Working Dogs Handlers and post-graduate specialist training for selected General Entry personnel and officers as Unit Defence Officers
- The Combat Survival Training School at RAAF Base Townsville, North QLD who is responsible for the provision of training to ADF and international aircrew and selected ground personnel in personal survival skills in a combat situation or
- The Officers' Training School, RAAF Base East Sale, VIC, who is responsible for the conduct of core military skills training to all officer trainees; or No. 1 Recruit Training Unit, RAAF Base Wagga, NSW, who is responsible for the conduct of specialist training (Ground Defence, Fire Training, Medical and Physical Fitness) aspects during initial training of all General Entry recruits
