Airfield Defence Guards

Airfield Defence Guards
Royal Australian Air Force security force personnel in Afghanistan during 2013
Active	1 October 1942 – present
Country	Australia
Branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Type	Air Force Infantry
Role	Ground Defence
Size	3 Squadrons
Part of	Combat Support Group
Garrison/HQ	1SECFOR – Newcastle 2SECFOR – Ipswich 3SECFOR – Adelaide
Nickname(s)	"Adgies"
Motto(s)	Protect the Force

Airfield Defence Guards (ADG) are a mustering of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) that are dedicated to the security and ground defence of airbases and other military aviation assets.^[1] Other duties include training other RAAF personnel, in skills such as the handling of small arms and infantry tactics. They do not, however, operate anti-aircraft artillery or missiles (which are the responsibility of the army and in particular, the Royal Australian Artillery).

The mustering's members, commonly known as "Adgies", are mostly employed in security forces (SECFOR) squadrons. The role of SECFOR squadrons is the protection of RAAF equipment, personnel, assets and facilities. While SECFOR training includes countering attacks by hostile special forces – in addition to guerilla, terrorist and other irregular forces – the ADGs are not special forces.

ADGs are commanded by commissioned officers known as Ground Defence Officers (GRDEFO) who receive initial training at the Australian Army's Royal Military College (RMC), Duntroon. Following graduation from RMC, GRDEFOs undertake the Army Regimental Officer Basic Course (Infantry) prior to RAAF-specific training at the RAAF Security and Fire School (RAAFSFS), at RAAF Base Amberley.^[1]

ADG are comparable to the British Royal Air Force Regiment, USAF Security Forces, and the RNZAF Security Forces.