RAAF Base Williamtown is at the centre of a multimillion-dollar infrastructure modernisation and upgrade program in order to better support the arrival of the RAAF's fleet of F-35A Joint Strike Fighters and other force multiplying capabilities, like the E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning, Command & Control aircraft. [1], The site was selected for the RAAF in August 1939, when the site was surveyed for an emergency landing ground, a significant factor in its selection being its proximity to Newcastle's steel mills and coal mines. [1], In 1983 upgrade works commenced at RAAF Base Williamtown to support the new 75 F/A 18 aircraft, which replaced the Mirage by 1989. RAAF Williams - Wikipedia [1], The street layout of the initial "camp area", including the grid pattern road layout, the alignment of Medowie Road (Henderson Road), Parade Ground, Bellman Hangars and the northern taxiway areas (including the alignment of runway 1 and part of the dispersal taxiway associated with runways 1 and 4) and the underground fuel tanks, are important in illustrating the principal functional characteristics of RAAF bases developed in the immediate pre-war years and the early years of the World War II. Fighter jets returning to Australia's training hub after upgrade works We care about the protection of your data. Todays sod-turning marks the start of a long construction process, expected to take years. No. [1], The portable Bellman hangar, of which some 123 were made, was designed in England for quick dismantling and erection, and manufactured by Lysaghts of Newcastle. Three prefabricated Bellman hangars are in their original location, defining the original aprons serving Runway No.1. RAAF Base Williamtown has most of the facilities one would expect to find in a small town, including sporting fields, recreation facilities, cinema and a fortnightly newspaper[7] highlighting activities around the Base and outside community. The base is a hub for F/A-18 Hornet fighters, BAE Hawk 127 lead-in fighters, Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and Pilatus PC-9 training aircraft. The squadron's role is to provide trained personnel to regular RAAF units during operations and on exercise. A modern brick officer's mess, swimming pool, water treatment plant, airmen's mess, ration store, airmen's laundry, NCO accommodation and mess, a chapel and street lighting completed the modernisation program. 81 Wing and No. The following year, Williamtown became headquarters for the Tactical Fighter group and acquired new headquarter buildings, hangars, workshops, stores, medical facilities and a base chapel. In 1965 a four-year program resulted in the construction of 3 new hangars, extensions and a new armaments workshop. [20][21], The following units are located at RAAF Base Williamtown:[5]. The personnel at the base are offered training facilities, sporting fields, recreation facilities, cinema and even a fortnightly newspaper that highlights activities around the base and the outside community. Around 60l water tanks were built within the base to allow rainwater harvesting from roofs. The later two-storey accommodation blocks are also gabled but with colorbond roofing. Located 30 kilometres north of Newcastle, RAAF Base Williamtown is Australias main fighter pilot training base and houses most of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighters. The base also provides base childcare facilities. Williamtown NSW 2314 [1], In November 1948 the School of Land/Air Warfare, a joint services training unit, was established at Williamtown. This strategic role was reinforced in 1950 by the construction of the first concrete runway in Australia. Williamtown Airbase Operations, 2020 - Second Line of Defense And then I visited the Fighterworld Museum which houses several classic aircraft from the storied past of the Royal Australian Air Force, including the F-111, the Mirages and Spitfires flown by the RAAF and the only type of jet fighter flown by the allies in World War II, the Gloster Meteor. The first RAAF Hornets to arrive in Australia were flown from the US to Avalon, Victoria in June 1984. Williamtown Redevelopment Stage 1 is worth $149 million, while the Aircraft Clear Water Rinse Facility is worth $3 million. The history and expansion of RAAF Williamtown since its establishment during World War II is directly linked to the evolution of air power and the technological advances in tactical fighter and surveillance aircraft.RAAF Base Williamtowns location was selected in response to the emerging threat to the east coast of Australia during World War II. RAAF Base Williamtown Heritage Centre - RAAF Base Williamtown Located 30 kilometres north of Newcastle, RAAF Base Williamtown is Australia's main fighter pilot training base and houses most of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighters. Exterior sunshades were installed to reduce the effect of sun. The base induction information provided below must be understood and acknowledged before accessing a Defence base location. It is also home to the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre[6] and Surveillance and Response Group RAAF. RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales - Airforce Technology RAAF Station Williamtown was established on 15 February 1941 to provide protection for the strategic port and steel manufacturing facilities of the Hunter Region. The RAAF base was constructed on 800ha of land. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 41 Wing) of the SRG is primarily used for performing surveillance of large area, control of airspace and execution of air battle management operations. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. No. 1 and 6 Squadrons. This lists airports in Australia with scheduled passenger services. Username or email already exists! Formal administration of the base was taken over by American forces from May 1942 to September 1942. [1], The post-war development of RAAF Base Williamtown reinforced the functional planning of the wartime years. The base also accommodates elements of the Air Warfare Centre and a number of Combat Support Units. GHD Pty Ltd was engaged by the Department of Planning on 22 May 2006 to prepare an airport related employment zone Land Use Development Strategy for Williamtown. He says the RAAF welcomes the continued growth of the Hunter region. 49 Medowie Road In 1961, the squadron of Meteors were replaced with the Dassault Mirage aircraft. Group Captain Peter Cluff, ofRAAF Base Williamtown, said the prominent display of the Indigenous art and stories was a symbol of the admiration and respect that exists between the baseand the Worimi people. These new facilities are largely over at the back of the military side of the airport. In December, Australian Aviation reported how Australias F-35A Lightning II fleet passed the final regulatory hurdle required to be deployed on operations. Around 500 people farewelled the Classic Hornet at the RAAF base in Williamtown. The military base shares its runway facilities with Newcastle Airport.
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