Read our Privacy Policy. 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 technologi. When you go to the visitors center you are greeted by a plaque, which tells the history of the RAAF base, which was first established to deal with the Japanese threat in the 1940s. Two army units, the parachute and air portability training wings, were attached to the School. or any other modern web browser. The Williamtown RAAF Base Group is a heritage-listed group of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) buildings and other items at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, Australia. In addition workshops, stores, explosive storage areas and armament preparation units were added. Labourers. Williamtown, Newcastle, Maitland & Hunter NSW. 76 Squadron), E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft (operated by No. [3] The base was initially served by four runways, each 1,100m (3,600ft) in length to meet the needs of the Williamtown Flying School. [14][15], The use of firefighting chemicals over a sustained period has resulted in contamination of the groundwater in the area surrounding the base, with residents initiating a class action lawsuit and expressing ongoing concern in national media over the impact on their properties. 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. In June 1941 5 bomb-dump buildings were erected and by October runways 1 and 3 (of 4) were extended. Australias only known Indigenous World War II fighter pilot has been honoured with the naming of a building at RAAF Base Williamtown. [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. With the departure of the Central Gunnery School, No. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004. The system is a key component of the RAAF's Wedgetail AEW&C pilot training programme. It is the sole Wedgetail pilot training device used by the RAAF, and delivers realistic and high-quality simulated flight crew operations. [3], https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAAF_Base_Williamtown. While waiting for my meeting with Air Commodore Roberton, I ate at the end of one of the flight runways and watched the Super Hornets and Hornets land and take off from the base. Downer's history with Defence The site consists of a number of buildings and structures[1], Buildings and structures from the 19391945 period include:[1], After World War II, the base evolved in response to the location of the World War II infrastructure and buildings and the extended main runway of the 1950s, which was the dominant alignment and feature of the site. New lecture halls and test facilities, including gas chambers, were erected to complement the four Bellman hangars and five workshop hangars. 44 Wing (air traffic control), No. [1], RAAF Base Williamtown buildings were listed on the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004 having satisfied the following criteria. Lockheed Martin Australia is providing training support for more than 70 personnel to be employed at Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal. All 72 aircraft are expected to be fully operational by 2023. [1], The road network for the original camp, comprising Eaton Road, Ford Road and Townsend Avenue west of McNamara Drive, was completed by 1945. The central emergency power station provides the required electricity to the entire base. Australia's involvement in the Korean War (19491951) promoted the development of the base, which in 1945, following the World War II (19391945), had been one of ten mainland RAAF bases considered strategically important to Australia's defence, as peacetime base for the RAAF fighter wing. These included the officer's dormitory compound, the officers mess and airmen's brick dormitory blocks in the same area as the wartime camp. 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. This is three (3) Following the introduction of jet aircraft, the base was rebuilt from 1950 as funds became available. [1], As at July 2002, all buildings and structures, with the possible exception of redundant underground fuel tanks and early runway remnants, appeared to be maintained in good order. The parade ground is now used for car parking and is also used for small storage buildings. The high-voltage switching stations include main electrical infrastructure lines. . 78 Wing trains the pilots of F/A-18B Hornet and Hawk at No. During the 1950s and 1960s works included a new Control Tower (19581961), a new parachute tower, new bomb dump buildings, a compound of 16 Nissen Huts, new two-storey brick quarters for non-married officers and a second series of brick sleeping quarters for 532 airmen. "We also have more than 225 trained technicians as the RAAF's F-35A maintenance capability continues to develop.". The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown opened in February 1941 and is located 30km north of Newcastle, New South Wales in Port Stephens. Typically, the alignment of wartime and early post war buildings, such as the first airmen's brick dormitory block, was dictated by the road layout. It seems you are using an outdated web browser not supported A number of Australian Empire Air Training Scheme squadrons were formed at Williamtown before proceeding overseas and No. 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. The wing comprises around 60 people and operates four PC-9 aircraft. Four runways were completed by September 1940. A school and post office had opened by 1868. The Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre and Surveillance and Response Group (SRG) used the base as its headquarters. New facilities included headquarters buildings, hangars, workshops, stores, medical facilities and a base chapel. 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron, buildings and other facilities on the base, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, United States Army Air Forces in Australia, List of Royal Australian Air Force installations, "Williamtown RAAF Base Group (Place ID 105639)", "RAAF Base Williamtown & Salt Ash Air Weapons Range Williamtown, NSW Heritage Management Plan", "F-35 fighters arrive on Australian soil", "Williamtown the winner over Amberley for F-35s", "Williamtown RAAF Base work to start in January", "RAAF Base Williamtown runway extension opens", "Williamtown water contamination becomes key issue in tight electorate race", "Williamtown and Oakey residents to receive Fed Govt support", "WARNING: Ground water contamination at RAAF Base Williamtown", "Residents file toxic water class action over RAAF base", "Toxic Secrets: Where the sites with PFAS contamination are near you", "Agencies investigating potential water contamination", "3 Wing AAFC NSW & ACT Australian Air Force Cadets", Newcastle and Suburban Co-operative Society, Walsh Island Dockyard & Engineering Works, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=RAAF_Base_Williamtown&oldid=1145974016, Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command in the South West Pacific Theater, Military establishments in the Hunter Region, Military installations established in 1941, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Articles containing potentially dated statements from August 2017, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2015, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2017, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, No. [1], Indigenous and Natural values of national estate significance exist on this site.[1]. 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. 82 Wing strikes the desired target and conducts reconnaissance with No. [1], Although individual bases, such as Fairbairn, Darwin, Amberley and Williamtown show differences in the degree of formal planning, they are organized on a similar functional basis, with the social hierarchy of the RAAF clearly reflected in the location, range and type of accommodation provided. The first slideshow above show fighters at Williamtown or from Williamtown engaged in various activities and are credited to the Australian Ministry of Defence. The company has acquainted effective ESD elements during the architecture and interior design of the base and completed the work within a tight budget. As a pilot, Waters learnt to fly in Tiger Moths . They were steel framed with a low-pitched roof covered with corrugated galvanised iron sheeting. It seems you are using an outdated web browser not supported 3 Squadron and No. The F-35A the variant chosen by the RAAF will have with a projected life of 30 years in service and be based at RAAF Base Williamtown and Base Tindal. The RAAF base was initially used for training operations. Todays sod-turning marks the start of a long construction process, expected to take years. This Wikipedia article was originally based on Williamtown RAAF Base Group, entry number 105639 in the Australian Heritage Database published by the Commonwealth of Australia 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on {{{accessdate}}}. The base also accommodates elements of the Air Warfare Centre and a number of Combat Support Units. 2 Squadron at the Williamtown base in February 2010. The new five-storey accommodation complex was dedicated to the memory of Leonard Len Waters in a ceremony held on October 23. The Wedgetail E-7A Operational Flight Trainer located at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. 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. As the security officer noted: We are building for the fifty years ahead, and not just for the next couple of years.. Formal administration of the base was taken over by American forces from May 1942 to September 1942. The first building, which has been built, was an intelligence facility to handle the information coming off of the aircraft, either in terms of mission or maintenance data. [1], The commercial operation south of the runways, implemented in the 19621994 period with the permission of the RAAF, was subsequently leased to the Newcastle Airport organisation in 1992. you consent to the collection and use of cookies and webpage tracking in this way and in accordance with our. Around 500 people farewelled the Classic Hornet at the RAAF base in Williamtown. The Minister for Defence, Kevin Andrews, along with other senior members of the military will turn the first sod in a ceremony this afternoon. How significant an investment is the upgrade? Establishment and evolution. The military base shares its runway facilities with Newcastle Airport. Landscaping at this time included grassing over the parade ground and tree planting on Townsend Avenue. You don't have credit card details available. Len Waters enlisted in the Air Force in August 1942 as an aircraft mechanic and went on to earn his wings in July 1944. Website:www.fighterworld.com.au, Open every day (except Christmas Day) 10am-4pm. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. For the civilian airport, see, Significant places & items of interest in the. A key problem for the air base is that it is located in an area with theground water level very close to the surface. BAESA recently hired 25 former Jetstar employees who had been made redundant as a result of the pandemic, she said. Prime Minister Morrison said, This is about protecting and securing Australias interests but its also creating jobs and driving investment right here in the Hunter and across the country too. A number of the buildings and other facilities on the base are listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.[2]. 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. Booosst Electrical Data and Security PTY LTD. 22d ago. RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW will be a hub for Joint Strike Fighter program . Your email address will not be published. In 1988 RAAF Base Williamtown became the Headquarters for the Tactical Fighter Group. Please use 4 Operational Training Unit between 1942 and 1945. The headquarters building of the RAAF base in Williamtown was designed at a cost of A$11m to accommodate the new AEW&C aircraft for the RAAF No. The leading site for news and procurement in the military aerospace industry, The RAAF Williamtown base was upgraded under a $92m contract., The RAAF Base Williamtown is currently used as the main fighter base by the RAAF., The personnel at the base are offered training facilities, sporting fields, recreation facilities, and more.. Williamtown NSW 2314 It is currently used as the main fighter base by RAAF. It does represent a fairly long continuity of work over the next six years or so. 1 and 6 Squadrons. Williamtown, however, retained the RAAFB as the main fighter base in 1944 after the World War II. 81 Wing and No. In addition the base is home to Surveillance and Response Groups(SRG) Air Surveillance and Battlefield Management command and support elements and the E-7A Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. Not only have these technical workers been retained in the local Hunter aviation industry, but they will also help Defence build its sovereign sustainment capability as the fleet continues to grow.. [4], As of August2017[update][5] RAAF Williamtown employed approximately 3,500 personnel, including military, civilians and contractors, and generated A$150million per annum by way of salaries in the Hunter Region economy.[3]. The School consisted of 62 buildings which accommodates 366 officers and men. The wing also offers radar control services to army, navy and air force. [1], The main concrete runway and northern taxiways defined the focus of operations and built on the underlying planning with the addition of relocated Bellman hangars and new bomb dumps. The closing date for this project has been reached. Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations are performed by No. It was formed from Southern Area Command, which was the hub of RAAF training services at the time. 4 Operational Training Unit was located at Williamtown from October 1942 until the unit was disbanded in April 1944. The pump house is located within the site, as is the Hunter Water pumping station of the late 1930s, although it is not owned by Defence. Henderson Road follows the original alignment of Medowie Road. The lounge rooms feature gable wall fireplaces and chimneys. Colonel Kenneth Snodgrass was granted 1,120 acres (453ha) in 1840, preceded by William Harvey's grant of 640 acres (259ha) in 1839. It also enables the forward air controllers (FAC) to line up the delivery of air weapons and move towards operational areas. 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. Around 2,790ha of land encompassing a 12-mile creek / saltwater creek estuary was occupied as an extensive buffer zone in the north side. The first F-35 has been inducted into BAE Systems Australias (BAESA) new maintenance depot at RAAF Base Williamtown. [1], The evolving landscape of RAAF Base Williamtown, comprising Henderson Road, the road network of the 19391945 camp, 19391945 buildings and structures (substation and emergency powerhouse, underground fuel tanks, parade ground, tennis courts, Bellman hangars, and associated taxiways, sections of runways 1 and 4 and the pump house) and post-war structures and buildings (the main runway and northern taxiways and hardstanding, additional Bellman hangars, married quarters, the first airmen's dormitory block, stores, test butt, armament preparation units, explosives storage, airmen's dormitory blocks, officer's dormitories, and control tower) is important as the operational and training focus for Australia's jet fighter aircraft. In 1965 a four-year program resulted in the construction of 3 new hangars, extensions and a new armaments workshop. At its peak, the base had some 888 personnel including 115 from the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF). The Willamtown site was selected by the Australian Government and surveyed in August 1939, for the construction of an emergency landing ground prior to the onset of the World War II. The base also provides base childcare facilities. This induction demonstrates the world-leading capability of our local defence industry here in Australia. 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. Len Waters enlisted in the Air Force in August 1942 as an aircraft mechanic and went on to earn his wings in July 1944. RAAF Base Williamtown (IATA: NTL, ICAO: YWLM) is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) military air base located 8 nautical miles (15km; 9.2mi) north[1] of the coastal city of Newcastle (27km (17mi) by road) in the local government area of Port Stephens, in New South Wales, Australia. One of those enablers is clearly the infrastructure to support air operations. The later two-storey accommodation blocks are also gabled but with colorbond roofing. Air Commander Australia Air Vice-Marshal Joe Iervasi said it was a great honour to dedicate the building to Mr Waters. Of these some 12 were considered of strategic importance; Butterworth, Cocos Island, Momote, Darwin, Learmonth, Williamtown, Townsville, Pearce, East Sale, Richmond and Amberley. To unlock all Australian Aviation magazine content and again unlimited access to our daily news and features, become a member today. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. RAAF Base Williamtown Mentions of environmental sustainability decreased by 51% in the aerospace, defence & security industry in Q3 2022, Whos saying what? 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