RAAF Base Williamtown
Encyclopedia
RAAF Base Williamtown is a Royal Australian Air Force
base and headquarters to Australia's Tactical Fighter group. The base is located 14 kilometres (9 mi) north of the coastal city of Newcastle
, New South Wales
(27 km (17 mi) by road) in the Local Government Area (LGA) of Port Stephens. The military base shares its runway facilities with Newcastle Airport
. The nearest major town is Raymond Terrace
, located 8 km (5 mi) west of the base. Medowie
, 6.8 km (4.2 mi) north of the base, is home to many of the base's staff.
A number of Australian Empire Air Training Scheme squadrons were formed at Williamtown before proceeding overseas and No. 4 Operational Training Unit
was located at Williamtown from October 1942 until the unit was disbanded in April 1944. Following World War II
Williamtown was retained as the RAAF's main fighter base and was equipped with squadrons of Gloster Meteor
and F-86 Sabre
fighters.
In 1961 the squadron of Meteors were replaced with the Dassault Mirage aircraft. On-base facilities were gradually expanded post war and through until the late 1960s.
In 1983 the role of Williamtown was upgraded to a tactical fighter base in preparation of the replacement of the Mirages with 75 F/A 18 in 1989. 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.
fighters (operated by No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit
, No. 3 Squadron
and No. 77 Squadron
), BAE Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighters (operated by No. 76 Squadron
), Wedgetail
Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft (operated by No. 2 Squadron
) and Pilatus PC-9
training aircraft (operated by No. 4 Squadron
). It is also home to a number of headquarters and other units such as the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre and Surveillance and Response Group.
RAAF Base Williamtown has most of the facilities you would expect to find in a small town, including sporting fields, recreation facilities, cinema and even a fortnightly newspaper (Fighter Force News) hightlighting activities around the Base and outside community.
In addition to its military units, RAAF Williamtown is the home to Fighter World, a museum dedicated to Australian fighter aircraft.
DMO UNITS
AEWCSPO Airborne Early Warning Control System Program Office
GTESPO Ground Telecommunications Electronic System Program Office
TFSPO Tactical Fighter System Program Office
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
base and headquarters to Australia's Tactical Fighter group. The base is located 14 kilometres (9 mi) north of the coastal city of Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
(27 km (17 mi) by road) in the Local Government Area (LGA) of Port Stephens. The military base shares its runway facilities with Newcastle Airport
Newcastle Airport (Williamtown)
Newcastle Airport is north of Newcastle, New South Wales in Port Stephens. It is the 12th busiest airport in Australia, handling almost 1.2 million passengers in the year ending 30 June 2009, which is 107,000 more than in 2007-08.-Overview:...
. The nearest major town is Raymond Terrace
Raymond Terrace, New South Wales
Raymond Terrace is a town in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, about by road north of Newcastle on the Pacific Highway. Established in 1837 it is situated at the confluence of the Hunter and Williams rivers and has about 12,600 residents. It is the administrative centre of the Port...
, located 8 km (5 mi) west of the base. Medowie
Medowie, New South Wales
Medowie is a suburb of the Port Stephens Local Government Area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located approximately by road north of Newcastle, not far from RAAF Base Williamtown and is home to a large number of the personnel stationed there.It was a small rural town...
, 6.8 km (4.2 mi) north of the base, is home to many of the base's staff.
History
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 base was initially served by four runways, each 1,100 m in length to meet the needs of the Williamtown Flying School. The School consisted of 62 buildings which accommodates 366 officers and men.A number of Australian Empire Air Training Scheme squadrons were formed at Williamtown before proceeding overseas and No. 4 Operational Training Unit
No. 4 Operational Training Unit RAAF
No. 4 Operational Training Unit was an operational conversion unit of the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. It was formed on 1 October 1942 and located at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. 4OTU operated Vultee Vengeance and CAC Wirraway aircraft. It was disbanded on 30 April...
was located at Williamtown from October 1942 until the unit was disbanded in April 1944. Following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Williamtown was retained as the RAAF's main fighter base and was equipped with squadrons of Gloster Meteor
Gloster Meteor
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
and F-86 Sabre
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
fighters.
In 1961 the squadron of Meteors were replaced with the Dassault Mirage aircraft. On-base facilities were gradually expanded post war and through until the late 1960s.
In 1983 the role of Williamtown was upgraded to a tactical fighter base in preparation of the replacement of the Mirages with 75 F/A 18 in 1989. 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.
Current-day
Currently Williamtown employs approximately 3,500 personnel, including military, civilians and contractors, and injects $150 million per annum by way of salaries into the Hunter Region economy. Williamtown is currently home to F/A-18 HornetF/A-18 Hornet
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets . Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and...
fighters (operated by No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit
No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF
No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit is a Royal Australian Air Force training unit located at RAAF Base Williamtown. 2OCU's main role is to train pilots to operate the F/A-18 Hornet. New RAAF pilots enter 2OCU for training after first qualifying to fly jet fighters in No. 76 Squadron...
, No. 3 Squadron
No. 3 Squadron RAAF
No. 3 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. It was first formed in 1916 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, New South Wales.-World War I:...
and No. 77 Squadron
No. 77 Squadron RAAF
No. 77 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. The Squadron was formed in 1942 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown.-History:...
), BAE Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighters (operated by No. 76 Squadron
No. 76 Squadron RAAF
No. 76 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force flight training squadron. Established in 1942, the squadron operated P-40 Kittyhawk fighter aircraft and saw combat during World War II. Following the war it formed part of Australia's contribution to the occupation of Japan until it was...
), Wedgetail
Boeing Wedgetail
The Boeing 737 AEW&C is a twin-engine airborne early warning and control aircraft. It is lighter than the 707-based Boeing E-3 Sentry, and mounts a fixed, electronically scanned, rather than a rotating, radar antenna. It was designed for the Royal Australian Air Force under "Project Wedgetail"...
Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft (operated by No. 2 Squadron
No. 2 Squadron RAAF
No. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. From its formation in 1916, it has operated a variety of aircraft types including fighters, bombers, and Airborne Early Warning & Control.-World War I:No...
) and Pilatus PC-9
Pilatus PC-9
The Pilatus PC-9 is a single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.-Design and development:...
training aircraft (operated by No. 4 Squadron
No. 4 Squadron RAAF
No. 4 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron responsible for training forward air controllers. The squadron was previously a fighter and army co-operation unit active in both World War I and World War II.-World War I:...
). It is also home to a number of headquarters and other units such as the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre and Surveillance and Response Group.
RAAF Base Williamtown has most of the facilities you would expect to find in a small town, including sporting fields, recreation facilities, cinema and even a fortnightly newspaper (Fighter Force News) hightlighting activities around the Base and outside community.
In addition to its military units, RAAF Williamtown is the home to Fighter World, a museum dedicated to Australian fighter aircraft.
Units
| Unit | Full Name | FEG | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1ATS DET WLM | No. 1 Air Terminal Squadron Detachment Williamtown | Combat Support Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| 2SQN | No. 2 Squadron No. 2 Squadron RAAF No. 2 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. From its formation in 1916, it has operated a variety of aircraft types including fighters, bombers, and Airborne Early Warning & Control.-World War I:No... |
Surveillance and Response Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
B737 AEW&C Boeing Wedgetail The Boeing 737 AEW&C is a twin-engine airborne early warning and control aircraft. It is lighter than the 707-based Boeing E-3 Sentry, and mounts a fixed, electronically scanned, rather than a rotating, radar antenna. It was designed for the Royal Australian Air Force under "Project Wedgetail"... |
| 2ATHS | No. 2 Air Transportable Health Squadron | Combat Support Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| 2OCU | No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit is a Royal Australian Air Force training unit located at RAAF Base Williamtown. 2OCU's main role is to train pilots to operate the F/A-18 Hornet. New RAAF pilots enter 2OCU for training after first qualifying to fly jet fighters in No. 76 Squadron... |
Air Combat Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
F/A-18 |
| 3SQN | No. 3 Squadron No. 3 Squadron RAAF No. 3 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. It was first formed in 1916 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, New South Wales.-World War I:... |
Air Combat Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
F/A-18 |
| 4SQN | No. 4 Squadron No. 4 Squadron RAAF No. 4 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron responsible for training forward air controllers. The squadron was previously a fighter and army co-operation unit active in both World War I and World War II.-World War I:... |
PC-9 | |
| 3CRU | No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit RAAF No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit is a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance unit. 3CRU is currently located at RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle, New South Wales and is primarily responsible for conducting surveillance of the air-sea gap between Australia and its northern neighbours... |
Surveillance and Response Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| 26SQN | No. 26 Squadron No. 26 Squadron RAAF No. 26 Squadron RAAF is a Royal Australian Air Force reserve squadron, headquartered at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, Australia. The squadron's role is to provide trained personnel to regular RAAF units during operations. It was formed on 1 July 1981 and is responsible for air force... |
Combat Support Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| 44WG DET WLM | No. 44 Wing Detachment Williamtown | Surveillance and Response Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| 76SQN | No. 76 Squadron No. 76 Squadron RAAF No. 76 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force flight training squadron. Established in 1942, the squadron operated P-40 Kittyhawk fighter aircraft and saw combat during World War II. Following the war it formed part of Australia's contribution to the occupation of Japan until it was... |
Air Combat Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
BAe-Hawk 127 |
| 77SQN | No. 77 Squadron No. 77 Squadron RAAF No. 77 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. The Squadron was formed in 1942 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown.-History:... |
Air Combat Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
F/A-18 |
| 278SQN | No. 278 Squadron | Air Combat Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| 381ECSS | No. 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron | Combat Support Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| CSU-WLM | Combat Support Unit - Williamtown | Combat Support Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| HQ41WG | Headquarters No. 41 Wing No. 41 Wing RAAF Component units*No. 1 Radar Surveillance Unit RAAF*No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit RAAF*No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit RAAF*Surveillance and Control Training Unit RAAF... |
Surveillance and Response Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| HQ42WG | Headquarters No. 42 Wing No. 42 Wing RAAF No. 42 Wing is a Royal Australian Air Force wing which will be responsible for operating the RAAF's Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft once they enter service. The wing was first formed during World War II on 1 February 1943 at RAAF Base Townsville where it remained until it was disbanded on 1 October 1944.... |
Surveillance and Response Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| HQ44WG | Headquarters No. 44 Wing No. 44 Wing RAAF No. 44 Wing is a Royal Australian Air Force wing responsible for providing air traffic control services to the Australian Defence Force. It directly commands two squadrons which in turn command 11 air traffic control flights located across the country at nine RAAF bases, HMAS Albatross and Oakey... |
Surveillance and Response Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| HQ78WG | Headquarters No. 78 Wing No. 78 Wing RAAF No. 78 Wing is the Royal Australian Air Force's operational training wing. It is headquartered at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, and operates the BAE Hawk 127 lead-in fighter. The wing was formed in 1943 and operated P-40 Kittyhawk fighters in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II... |
Air Combat Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| HQ81WG | Headquarters No. 81 Wing No. 81 Wing RAAF No. 81 Wing is the Royal Australian Air Force's air superiority wing. Formed during World War II, it operated in the South West Pacific theatre, flying P-40 Kittyhawks. Following the end of hostilities, it converted to P-51 Mustangs and was based in Japan as part of the Allied occupational forces... |
Air Combat Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| HQACG | Headquarters Air Combat Group Air Combat Group RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force's Air Combat Group is the group which administers the RAAF's fighter and bomber aircraft. ACG was formed on 7 February 2002 by merging the RAAF's Tactical Fighter Group and Strike Reconnaissance Group in an attempt to improve the speed with which the RAAF can deploy... |
Air Combat Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| HQSRG | Headquarters Surveillance and Response Group | Surveillance and Response Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| SACTU | Surveillance and Control Training Unit | Surveillance and Response Group Structure of the RAAF The Royal Australian Air Force is organised into a number of operational, support and training formations located at bases across Australia.-Formations:... |
N/A |
| 335SQN AAFC | No. 335 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets | Australian Air Force Cadets Australian Air Force Cadets The Australian Air Force Cadets , known as the Air Training Corps until 2001, is a Federal Government funded youth organisation. The parent force of the AAFC is the Royal Australian Air Force... |
N/A |
DMO UNITS
AEWCSPO Airborne Early Warning Control System Program Office
GTESPO Ground Telecommunications Electronic System Program Office
TFSPO Tactical Fighter System Program Office
See also
- United States Army Air Forces in AustraliaUnited States Army Air Forces in AustraliaDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Forces established a series of airfields in Australia for the collective defense of the country, as well as for conducting offensive operations against the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy...
(World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
)