The Fleet Air Arm (FAA), known formerly as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) responsible for the operation of aircraft. The FAA was founded in 1947 following the purchase of two aircraft carriers from the Royal Navy. FAA personnel fought in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and participated in later conflicts and operations from host warships.
A Hawker Sea Fury on the flight deck of the carrier HMAS Sydney, during the ship's 1949 flight trials
RAN Gannet aboard USS Philippine Sea
A Sea King hovering above the flight deck of HMAS Tobruk in 2008, prior to a Helicopter in Flight Refuel exercise
The MH-60R Seahawk, operated by 816 Squadron, is the most numerous aircraft in the RAN inventory
HMAS Sydney (R17/A214/P214/L134) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was built for the Royal Navy and was launched as HMS Terrible (93) in 1944, but was not completed before the end of World War II. The carrier was sold to Australia in 1947, completed, and commissioned into the RAN as Sydney in 1948.
HMAS Sydney arriving in Port Melbourne in 1949
A Sea Fury preparing to take off from Sydney during her flight trials in January 1949
Launch of HMS Terrible, which later became HMAS Sydney
Fireflies and Sea Furies overfly Sydney
