Talk:Airfield Defence Guards

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[edit] New RAAF SF unit

I've removed this para as it's uncited and seems to be speculation ("the government hinted"). The only reference I've seen on this, which is at [1], states that personnel from all parts of the RAAF can join the new No. 4 Squadron RAAF, and makes no reference to the ADG. If a source can be found for this stuff then it belongs in the 4 Sqn article. --Nick Dowling 11:32, 25 October 2007 (UTC)

In May 2007, the government hinted that a new RAAF unit would be made starting in March 2008 based on the Airfield Defence Guards.[citation needed] This new unit (to be the re-formed No. 4 Squadron) will be responsible for forward air control (FAC) and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC). Recently the RAAF was certified by the US CENTCOM that it is able to operate under US JTAC standards. These tasks will create a unit similar to the USAF Special Tactics teams and JTACs[citation needed] The role of No. 4 Sqn RAAF will be to provide FAC for Special Operations Command units (4RAR Commando and the Special Air Service Regiment). JTAC members of 4 Sqn will be required to complete basic commando training.

[edit] Selection requirments


Trainees are required to run 2.4km (with full pack and weapon) in under 10 minutes, a 10m rope climb, perform 10 chin ups (according to age), swim 1.5km in under 10 minutes and perform 40 sit ups.

I'm pretty sure that's incorrect. The current FINA 1500m freestyle world record is 14:34min. - Htra0497 11:49, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

The whole para looked questionable, and I've moved it here. I don't think that it should be re-added without a citation. Given that ADGs are good-quality infantry but not special forces, it seems hard to believe that the selection proccess is so tough that it has a massive failure rate (if 75% of applicants fail the initial selection and 50% of candidates then go on to fail the combat survival course then only 12.5% actually get accepted into the ADG!). It's also hard to believe that the RAAF's pilot selection process and training is less compeditive than ADG training... --Nick Dowling (talk) 10:33, 17 November 2007 (UTC)


Applying to become an ADG is incredibly competitive as there are very limited positions available every year. Airfield Defence Guard training is the toughest and most grueling the Air Force has to offer. Trainees are required to run 2.4km (with full pack and weapon) in under 10 minutes, a 10m rope climb, perform 10 chin ups (according to age), swim 1.5km in under 10 minutes and perform 40 sit ups. Trainees are required to live in the field for a period of three or four weeks during training, with only a small amount of sleep, food, shelter and rest. Currently the course boasts a 60-75% failure rate, which, other than the Army's 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and SASR is the highest failure rate in the ADF. All ADGs are require to attend the Combat Survival School (COMSURV) within one year of completing the basic course, which itself boasts a 50% failure rate.

    • The ADF Jobs website page on the process of becoming an ADG at [2] confirms some of these details as being the conditions graduates from initial ADG training (not applicatants for this training) need to meet. It doesn't mention a high failure rate at any point, though it is noted that "students need to have a very high level of physical fitness before commencing training". In contrast, the page on becoming a commando at [3] uses much stronger wording about the difficulty of being selected (eg, "Service as a Commando in Australia's Special Forces is physically and mentally demanding and requires a high level of individual robustness, strength and endurance. Therefore, you must be medically and physically fit and psychologically suitable to undertake Special Forces selection and reinforcement training."). The ADG selection standards, while high, seem to be somewhat lower than those for the Special Forces Entry Test, so I don't see why the failure rate for applicants would be so high. --Nick Dowling (talk) 10:56, 17 November 2007 (UTC)