The RAAF seems to find itself mostly out of phase with its sharp end fighter assets when it comes to their operational use.
The first Oz fighter pilots had to stumble around in BE-2Cs and Caudrons in the ME in WW1.
WW2 found us with Wirraways versus Zeros and an initial belief that Japs couldn't fly very well. Many paid a high price
We were out of phase with Mustangs and Meteors in Korea and many paid a high price again.
We were better prepared with Sabres in Malaya but there was no worth while opposition.
We didn't want to risk our fighters in Vietnam and could have performed well with our Hornets in the last century.
There was no fighter opposition in Iraq.
Now we are about to throw away our premium deterrent to those who have an eye on our country's resources or impose on us a crazy religion and plug a capability gap with fighters which won't know what hit them when confronted by Sukhois 30s or better. The only equaliser will be advanced weaponry
As for the CO of the Wirraway pilots in WW2, if we have to use the Hornets and Super Hornets without adequate stings, the CO will have to repeat that well known message. "We, who are about to die, salute you."