Operated by No 82 Wings' No 1 and No 6 Squadron out of RAAF Base Amberley, Ipswich (west of Brisbane), the F-111 is even better today than when it was introduced in June 1973. The twin-engine General Dynamics F-111 is a product of the space age, matching awesome firepower with state-of-the-art weapons, navigation and avionics technology. 

With numerous weapons, airframe, engine and avionics upgrades, the F-111 remains the fastest and longest range combat aircraft in the Oceania region, and operates as an all-weather, day or night air combat strike platform. The swing-wing design means it can take off and land at relatively low speeds with the wings swept forward, then fly at more than twice the speed of sound with its wings tucked back. 

The F-111 is affectionately known as the ‘Pig’ for its ability to hunt at night with its nose to the ground, thanks to its terrain-following radar. It can fly close to the ground at supersonic speeds following the terrain to avoid detection. Its attack radar and Pave Tack target detection systems enable the crew to locate targets in bad weather and at night and provide laser designation for precision delivery of laser-guided weapons. 

Air Force flies three versions of the F-111. We have the F-111C, the unique RF-111C modified for photo-reconnaissance, and the F-111G, which together provide unmatched strike capability. 
The F-111 has a crew of two, the pilot and the navigator who operates the weapons systems. 
No 1 Squadron – the oldest squadron in the Royal Australian Air Force, dating back to World War 1 – flies F-111 strike and reconnaissance operational missions. No 6 Squadron is responsible for operational training tasks.

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