[1], RAAF Base Williamtown buildings were listed on the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004 having satisfied the following criteria. ". New works included a sealed, concrete runway 8,700 feet long at a cost of 750,000 pounds, the first to be constructed during post-war restructuring, and refueling facilities, to accommodate Gloster Meteors and the Sabre jet fighters from 1955, replaced in 1967 by the new Dassault Mirage III. [10][11] Redevelopment works to prepare the base for the F-35, including a 2000ft runway extension, began in January 2015. Williamtown is home to F/A-18 Hornet fighters (operated by No. The P0008 - National Airfields Works at RAAF Base Williamtown Project - ICN The green light to deploy the F-35A comes two months after a joint training exercise between the US Air Force and RAAF at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona has allowed Australia to declare its F-35 capabilityfully operational. . 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. The walls are robust and protect the base from security threats. The walls of the base have been designed with reinforced concrete blockwork in the interior and a profiled colourbond sheet covers the exteriors. [1], Brick married quarters were the first new married quarters erected (before 1954). Williamtown Airbase Operations, 2020. RAAF Base Tindal | Air Force The Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony were presented by Elders of the Worimi people who are the traditional owners of the land where RAAF Base Williamtown is located. The Williamtown facility, which serves as the Southern Pacific Regional F-35 Heavy Airframe Depot, is planned to support F-35s for the next 30 years. This was my third visit to the base, the first being to 2nd Squadron, home of the Wedgetail, the second to the Surveillance Response Group and this year to visit the Commander, Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Steve Zed Roberton. The military base shares its runway facilities with Newcastle Airport. It is currently used as the main fighter base by RAAF. This description of the upgrades at RAAF Base Williamtown published in an October 30, 2020 article came in the context of the dedication of one of the new buildings being constructed at the airbase. With an already-busy civil airport, along with existing military aircraft noise emanating from the Williamtown site, Air Commodore Steve Roberton says residents of the Port Stephens area have been extensively consulted on the works and the transforming role of the base. The runway will be widened to accommodate longer range domestic and . It (Williamtown) has really been the centrepiece for Australian defence, and the Royal Australian Air Force, he says. 78 Squadron where he flew Kittyhawks. It seems you are using an outdated web browser not supported But sadly still only single engine capability, Your email address will not be published. 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. [1], The road network south of Ford Road and west of, and including, McNamara Drive identifies the early camp and operations structures and the major alignments of the early runway system. [16][17][18][19] Nationally, there are 90 sites impacted by PFAS contamination, with more internationally. [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. The community hall features gablets to the main roof. 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 first RAAF Hornets to arrive in Australia were flown from the US to Avalon, Victoria in June 1984. 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. In addition 21 brick married quarters and 17 prefabricated married quarters were provided, the first erected west of Medowie Road at the edge of the base. Bloodhounds freshen up - RAAF Base Darwin - Aviation Spotters Online There is also a photo of Air Commodore Roberton and the former Minister of Defence visiting the base. RAAF strike fighter program takes off. In an article published by Robert Virtue (with Aaron Keraney) for ABC news Newcastle in May 6, 2015, the program of construction was highlighted. This [work] is pretty significant for us.. He learnt to fly in Tiger Moths and Wirraways before joining No. Following the introduction of jet aircraft, the base was rebuilt from 1950 as funds became available. In June 1941 5 bomb-dump buildings were erected and by October runways 1 and 3 (of 4) were extended. 44 Wing provides air traffic control (ATC) services throughout Australia. 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. By continuing to visit, use or interact with our website, [1], The road network for the original camp, comprising Eaton Road, Ford Road and Townsend Avenue west of McNamara Drive, was completed by 1945. 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 alignments of Runways 1 and 4 are reflected in the intersection and alignment of Knox-Knight and Townsend Avenue. 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. The first F-35 has been inducted into BAE Systems Australia's (BAESA) new maintenance depot at RAAF Base Williamtown. The base is located 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 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. 4 Operational Training Unit was raised in October 1942. The base serves as the headquarters to both the Air Combat Group and the Surveillance and Response Group of the RAAF. [1], Indigenous and Natural values of national estate significance exist on this site.[1]. or any other modern web browser. 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.
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