Volunteer Air Observers Corps (Australia)

rdf:langString Volunteer Air Observers Corps (Australia)

rdf:langString Volunteer Air Observers Corps

rdf:langString A VAOC observation post in 1943

rdf:langString Aircraft recognition and reporting

rdf:langString Civil defence organisation.

rdf:langString Volunteer Air Observers Corps

rdf:langString The Volunteer Air Observers Corps (VAOC) was an Australian air defence organisation of World War Two. The VAOC was formed in December 1941 to support the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with its main roles of sighting and observing aircraft over Australia. The VAOC swiftly established thousands of Observation Posts (OP) across the country and provided information to the RAAF's regional air control posts. As the threat to Australia on the home front declined the VAOC's role was expanded to include coast watching, assisting air traffic control, weather reporting and fire spotting. The VAOC was staffed by civilian volunteers and reached an estimated peak strength in 1944 of about 24 000 personnel and 2 656 Observation Posts. After the end of the war, the VAOC was reduced to a cadre in December 1945 and was disbanded on 10 April 1946. Many RAAF Officers had been to Britain before the War and the VAOC was modelled on their successful the Royal Observer Corps.