After an initial posting to the Strike Reconnaissance Group, and a brief tour flying Canberra aircraft, his operational career has focussed on fighter operations; Quaife's initial fighter training was conducted on Mirage IIIO aircraft.
In 1999, Air Vice Marshal Quaife returned to that headquarters as the Director of Aerospace Combat Development.
In this role he directed a small team that planned the amalgamation of RAAF fast jet operations into a single Force Element Group.
During his tenure, Air Combat Group units deployed for Operations Slipper and Falconer.
[3] In January 2004, Quaife was appointed the RAAF's first permanent Joint Force Air Component Commander.