The base was initially served by four runways, each 1,100 m (3,600 ft) in length to meet the needs of the Williamtown Flying School. The first slideshow above show fighters at Williamtown or from Williamtown engaged in various activities and are credited to the Australian Ministry of Defence. For the civilian airport, see, Significant places & items of interest in the. It was formed from Southern Area Command, which was the hub of RAAF training services at the time. It is important to recognise and embrace the stories of all who have served, and continue to serve, so we can truly be the Air Force of Australians for all Australians, Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi said. It also comprises a meteorological station, post office, hangars, fighter aircraft museum, central emergency power station, one fuel farm facility and two high-voltage switching stations. Williamtown Airbase Operations, 2020. The RAAF Williamtown base comprises two airfield lighting equipment rooms, which are used to brighten the runway lighting network. No. The School consisted of 62 buildings which accommodated 366 officers and men. He argued that as the F-35 would come into operations, the new infrastructure would support new approaches, and those approaches would in turn prepare the future, notably as unmanned assets are added to the fleet. An overriding factor was the proximity of Newcastle's steel mills and coal mines. The Wedgetail E-7A Operational Flight Trainer located at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. Australian construction company Hansen Yuncken upgraded the facilities of the RAAF Williamtown base under a $92m contract awarded by the Department of Defence (DoD), Australia. The parade ground is now used for car parking and is also used for small storage buildings. The squadron's role is to provide trained personnel to regular RAAF units during operations and on exercise. He learnt to fly in Tiger Moths and Wirraways before joining No. This induction demonstrates the world-leading capability of our local defence industry here in Australia. But north of the Hunter River, at Williamtown, an investment of a similar magnitude begins today a $1.5b upgrade of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base, in preparation for the delivery of the militarys order of new F-35A Lightning II (also known as Joint Strike Fighter) jet 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. The base features administrative, runway, apron, taxiways and service areas. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Following the introduction of jet aircraft, the base was rebuilt from 1950 as funds became available. 06/02/2020. "We also have more than 225 trained technicians as the RAAF's F-35A maintenance capability continues to develop.". Click OK to continue. [1], From 1997 new Defence development initiatives, under the Defence Reform Program, have resulted in planned changes to the base. The base also houses No. 4 Operational Training Unit was located at Williamtown from October 1942 until the unit was disbanded in April 1944. From September 1941 to February 1942 the base operated as No.2 Recruit Depot, with the aerodrome upgraded to provide for an operational base. The system is a key component of the RAAF's Wedgetail AEW&C pilot training programme. Username or email already exists! 4 Operational Training Unit between 1942 and 1945. Phone: (02) 4965 1810 As the security officer noted: We are building for the fifty years ahead, and not just for the next couple of years.. Williamtown NSW 2314 F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets in action at RAAF Williamtown It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004. Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said, We now have 41 fully trained RAAF pilots, nine of whom trained on home soil at RAAF Base Williamtown. Under the Project Wedgetail programme, Boeing has been contracted to supply six 737 aircraft along with ground support systems such as training. Henderson Road and the road network for the original camp, comprising Eaton Road, Ford Road and Townsend Avenue west of McNamara Drive. At its peak, the base had some 888 personnel including 115 from the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF). 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 RAAFs fleet of F-35A Joint Strike Fighters and other force multiplying capabilities, like the E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning, Command & Control aircraft. The first airmen's brick dormitory block features simple timber sash windows, but has some stylistic content in the projecting entrance porch, characteristic of the late 1950s and early 1960s. In 1965 a four-year program resulted in the construction of 3 new hangars, extensions and a new armaments workshop. United Nations to decide on ban for toxic chemical linked to contamination at Williamtown RAAF base Defence to truck in drinking water if supplies have been contaminated by Williamtown toxic leak Hunter Water says its supplies are free from contamination from RAAF base toxic leak The base is a hub for F/A-18 Hornet fighters, BAE Hawk 127 lead-in fighters, Wedgetail airborne early warning and . These units were erected to replace the hut style accommodation of the wartime and immediate post-war years. Historic site in New South Wales, Australia, Location of RAAF Base Williamtown Buildings in New South Wales, Williamtown RAAF Base Group (heritage listing), "Williamtown RAAF Base Group (Place ID 105639)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Williamtown_RAAF_Base_Group_(heritage_listing)&oldid=1150200385, Commonwealth Heritage List places in New South Wales, Military establishments in the Hunter Region, Use Australian English from September 2018, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles incorporating text from the Australian Heritage Database, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Hansen also renovated the hangar and provides support amenities at the base to cater to new Boeing 737 capabilities. A significant feature of the buildings interior is the expansive artwork and accompanying stories created by Indigenous artists Saretta Fielding and Melissa Lilley. No. 26 Squadron RAAF - Wikipedia The remaining will be delivered by the end of 2010. RAAF Base Williamtown | Military Wiki | Fandom Formal administration of the base was taken over by American forces from May 1942 to September 1942. Characteristically, extant buildings from this period are aligned with the road layout, sub-station and emergency powerhouse, Bellman hangars with sufficient structures and services remaining to illustrate the separation of functions and the wartime functioning of the base. The RAAF currently has30 based in Australia. "If everyone is thinking alike, someone isnt thinking. Required fields are marked *. The base also accommodates elements of the Air Warfare Centre and a number of Combat Support Units. 77 Squadron), BAE Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighters (operated by No. The RAAF base was initially used for training operations. The base is transitioning from a Hornet to an F-35 base which certainly . In December, Australian Aviation reported how Australias F-35A Lightning II fleet passed the final regulatory hurdle required to be deployed on operations. RAAF Station Williamtown was established on 15 February 1941 to provide protection for the strategic port and steel manufacturing facilities of the Hunter Region. 42 Wing (airborne early warning and control), No. RAAF strike fighter program takes off. The relationship between RAAF Base Williamtown and the Worimi people has been forged over many years, and will continue to grow and thrive for years to come, as highlighted by the dedication of this building to Len Waters, Group Captain Cluff said. An initial team of 32 technicians has already recruited to provide airframe maintenance and sustainment, with hopes F-35 MOR will eventually create 360 BAE jobs over the next 10 years.

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