The Australian Air Force has announced to replace the word “airmen” to go gender-neutral and embrace heterogeneity among its positions.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) replaced the word “airmen” with “aviators” amid the increasing diversity of its members.

Australia’s Chief of Air Force announced to drop the word which specifies the gender role.

“Of all the work that has been done in developing our Air Force culture, the most challenging dilemma has been fully explaining who we are,” Air Marshal Hupfeld said.

“We understand well enough what we are and what we do – but have never quite managed to successfully articulate WHO we are. We are ALL aviators,” he added.

According to a report in 2019, the RAAF has a total of around 15,000 women personnel.

Australia makes up the highest female participation in any country’s military, the report said.

However, the air force intends to have women make up 25% of its members by 2023.