Questions about RAAF F-111's and F/A-18's

It is a rather well known fact that the RAAF’s current combat fleet consists of 35 F-111’s and 71 F/A-18A/B’s.

However I have a few questions regarding the exact details of RAAF fighter operations.

The number of F-111’s actually in service
A couple of years ago I read an article about the servicability of F-111’s. This was during the time they were being grounded. I cannot remember where the article was published or when (alcohol abuse does wonders for the memory).

An interesting point was that apparently out of the 35 F-111’s, 2 were hulks that were stripped of all useful parts, and a further 5 were also nowhere near flying condition.

Is this true?

And does anyone know how many F-111’s are actually operational?

EDIT: The RAAF website has actually answered my question – currently 17 F-111C’s, 4 RF-111C’s and 5 F-111G’s are in service with a further 9 F-111G’s in store or used for spares parts.

Yet the questions remain, are these figures accurate and what is the split between 1 and 6 Sqn’s?

Problems with attracting fast jet pilots

Another question that arose from another article I read a long time ago is that the RAAF was struggling attracting pilots and especially fast jet pilots. Apparently the airforce only had about 50-60 fast jet pilots (a lot less than the number of aircraft apparently in service – 106 F/A-18’s/F-111’s.

Is this true?

Actual number of F/A-18’s in service and squadron size

The RAAF currently has 71 F/A-18’s (54 ‘A’ 17 ‘B’) out of 75 delivered (57 ‘A’ 18 ‘B’). They currently serve with 3, 75 and 77 Sqn as well as 2 OCU.

What is the aircraft allocation of each of these units?

And how many F/A-18’s are actually in service and how many are stored?

Future composition of RAAF fighter fleet?

The government has opted for 75 F-35’s. I have heard this might be cut to as low as 50 aircraft.

Any additional news on this?