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Australia's F-111s, also known as Pigs, were retired from service in 2010. The F-111 was an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy defenses and delivering ordnance to targets. The Australian government decided to purchase the F-111s in 1992 to extend the aircraft's service life. The F-111s were never used in combat, but they were deployed to support international forces during the Australian-led INTERFET intervention in East Timor in 1999. The last of the F-111s were retired on December 3, 2010, and some were preserved in aviation museums and RAAF air bases, while others were buried at a landfill site due to the presence of asbestos in their construction.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| End of operational career | 3 December 2010 |
| First entered Australian service | 15 March 1973 |
| Nickname | "Flying Opera House" |
| Squadrons | No. 1 Squadron, No. 6 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron, No. 82 Wing |
| Aircraft preserved in aviation museums and RAAF air bases | 13 (12 F-111Cs and a single F-111G) |
| Aircraft buried at Swanbank landfill site | 23 |
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What You'll Learn
The F-111's operational career ended in 2010
The F-111 was a supersonic aircraft developed by General Dynamics under a US Department of Defense contract in 1962. The F-111C variant was designed for Australia, combining the F-111A with longer F-111B wings and strengthened FB-111A landing gear. Australia ordered 24 F-111s, and the first batch arrived in the country on 1 July 1973.
The F-111 was an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy defenses to deliver ordnance on the target. It featured variable geometry wings, an internal weapons bay, and a cockpit with side-by-side seating. The F-111 had a three-point undercarriage arrangement, with a two-wheel nose gear and two single-wheel main undercarriage. The Australian F-111Cs were unique to the RAAF, with longer wings, a sturdier undercarriage, and bigger brakes than the FB-111 nuclear-capable bomber version.
The F-111's operational career ended on 3 December 2010 at RAAF Amberley, near Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. A crew in an F-111C (serial number A8-125) of the Royal Australian Air Force touched down for the aircraft's final landing. The RAAF had operated the F-111 since 1973, and the F-111Cs had been in service since 1979. The retirement of the F-111 began with the F-111G models in late 2007 due to their high maintenance time requirements.
Following the F-111's retirement, 13 aircraft were preserved in aviation museums and RAAF air bases, while the remaining 23 were buried at the Swanbank landfill site outside of Ipswich, Queensland. The decision to bury the aircraft was due to the use of asbestos in their construction, which made it impractical and hazardous to attempt to recover the materials. The F-111 was replaced by the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet as an interim measure until the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II became available.
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F-111s were buried at a landfill site
The F-111 was an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy defences. It was developed by General Dynamics to meet Australian requirements. The Australian government ordered 24 F-111Cs to equip the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1963, but the aircraft were not delivered until 1973 due to long-running technical problems. The F-111's operational career came to an end on December 3, 2010, at RAAF Amberley, near Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Following the F-111's retirement, 13 of the surviving aircraft were preserved in aviation museums and RAAF air bases. The remaining 23 aircraft were buried at the Swanbank landfill site outside of Ipswich, Queensland, between November 21 and 23, 2011. The Swanbank landfill site is one of the largest in Australia, taking 500,000 tonnes of waste each year. The decision to dispose of the aircraft in this manner was due to a requirement in the original contract between Australia and the US that the F-111s be securely disposed of. The precise GPS coordinates of each aircraft have been recorded to ensure the site is marked as off-limits for future excavation.
The F-111s were buried due to the asbestos content in the aircraft, which made burial a more economical method of disposal compared to the expensive process of removing the asbestos. Only the fuselage was buried, while the wings, stabilizers, and tail were removed for scrap. The burial of the F-111s was met with displeasure from the nation's aviation enthusiasts, who were unhappy to see the veterans of the RAAF come to such an end.
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The F-111 was an all-weather attack aircraft
The F-111's all-weather capabilities were put to the test in various conflicts and missions. During the Vietnam War, F-111As participated in Operation Linebacker and Operation Linebacker II, flying low-level missions against North Vietnamese targets. F-111s also supported regional aerial operations during the Laotian Civil War in Laos. In the 1991 Gulf War, there was consideration to deploy Australian F-111Cs to contribute to the international effort, although this did not ultimately occur. The closest Australia's F-111s came to combat was during the Australian-led INTERFET intervention in East Timor in September 1999, where they were maintained at a high level of readiness for potential reconnaissance flights or air strikes.
The F-111's all-weather performance was made possible through advanced avionics and systems. The F-111A, for example, featured the General Electric AN/APQ-113 attack radar and a Texas Instruments AN/APQ-110 terrain-following radar. This terrain-following radar was integrated into the automatic flight control system, enabling "hands-off" flight at high speeds and low altitudes. The F-111C variant, operated by Australia, was equipped with the AN/AVQ-26 Pave Tack targeting system, which included a FLIR and laser rangefinder/designator, enhancing the aircraft's ability to designate targets and employ precision-guided munitions.
The F-111's service as an all-weather attack aircraft spanned several decades, with production of the aircraft ending in 1976 after 563 aircraft were built. The F-111 served with the United States Air Force (USAF), NASA, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), among other operators. The RAAF operated the F-111 from 1973 until its retirement in December 2010, marking the end of the aircraft's operational career. The F-111's capabilities and versatility as an all-weather attack platform contributed to its success and longevity in service with multiple air forces.
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The Australian Government decided to purchase ex-USAF F-111Gs in 1992
The decision to acquire the F-111Gs was part of the Australian Government's ongoing efforts to modernise and enhance the capabilities of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The F-111Gs were intended to supplement the existing fleet of F-111Cs, which had entered service in 1973. The F-111C, nicknamed the "Pig", was a variant of the F-111 Aardvark and was developed specifically to meet Australian requirements. It featured longer wings and a strengthened undercarriage compared to the F-111A model.
The acquisition of the F-111Gs allowed the RAAF to maintain a potent strike capability and provided flexibility in their operations. The F-111s were deployed periodically as a deterrent, such as during the Australian-led International Force East Timor intervention in 1999, where they conducted reconnaissance missions and were prepared to carry out air strikes if necessary. The F-111s also underwent various upgrades, including an Avionics Upgrade Program, to ensure they remained effective and capable platforms.
However, by the late 2000s, the F-111s were becoming increasingly expensive to maintain, and the RAAF was facing challenges in keeping the ageing fleet operational. In 2010, the RAAF retired its remaining F-111Cs, and the F-111Gs followed suit in 2013. Despite their retirement, the F-111s left a lasting legacy in the RAAF, with some aircraft preserved in aviation museums and RAAF air bases, honouring their contribution to Australia's defence capabilities.
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The F-111's role in the Australian-led INTERFET intervention in East Timor
The F-111 was an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy defenses and delivering ordnance on the target. The F-111 featured variable geometry wings, an internal weapons bay, and a cockpit with side-by-side seating. The F-111's operational career came to an end on December 3, 2010, at RAAF Amberley, near Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
The Australian-led International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) intervention in East Timor in September 1999 marked the closest Australia's F-111s ever came to combat. F-111s from both No. 1 and No. 6 Squadrons were deployed to RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, on August 28, 1999, to support the international forces and remained there until December 17, 1999. This was a maximum effort for No. 82 Wing, and up to 10 F-111Cs were available at Tindal. No. 1 Squadron's commitment peaked at six aircraft and about 100 personnel.
From September 20, 1999, when INTERFET began to arrive in East Timor, the F-111s were maintained at a high level of readiness to conduct reconnaissance flights or air strikes if the situation deteriorated. For the latter role, two F-111s armed with concrete-filled bombs fitted with precision guidance kits were kept available at all times. However, INTERFET did not encounter significant resistance, and F-111 operations were limited to reconnaissance missions conducted by RF-111Cs from November 5, 1999. Each of these sorties was made after gaining approval from the Indonesian government and normally focused on bridges and communications installations. The last RF-111C flight over East Timor took place on December 9, 1999.
The Australian-led INTERFET intervention in East Timor aimed to address the humanitarian and security crisis that took place in the region from 1999 to 2000. The intervention was successful, and Australia's involvement was instrumental in East Timor gaining independence. The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) coalition began deploying to East Timor on September 20, 1999, as a non-UN force operating in accordance with UN Resolutions. Led by Australia, the intervention was the country's largest peacekeeping mission to date and the largest overseas military deployment since the Vietnam War.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia no longer flies F-111s. The last F-111 flight in Australia was on December 3, 2010.
The Australian Government announced on November 7, 2003, that the F-111s would be retired by the end of 2010. The F-111 fleet was retired due to the discovery of wing fatigue problems.
13 of the surviving aircraft were preserved in aviation museums and RAAF air bases. The remaining 23 aircraft were buried at the Swanbank landfill site outside of Ipswich, Queensland.
Yes, in 1992 the Australian Government decided to purchase up to 18 ex-USAF F-111Gs to extend the type's service life. 15 F-111Gs were eventually acquired and delivered to the RAAF in late 1993 and early 1994.
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