This Page is dedicated to the RAAF
Base Williamtown and the men and women that work
there. It gives me great pride to know that
Australia's main fighter base is practically
in my backyard and every time I hear a fighter
jet over head I am reminded of the contribution
that this base makes not only to Newcastle but to
Australia as a whole.
The Base
Situated 30km
north of Newcastle, RAAF base Williamtown was
formed on the 15 February 1941 to protect
the strategic port and industrial areas of the
region. It has been a permanent fighter base ever
since and is now headquarters to the RAAF's Air Combat Group (ACG) who control all of Australia's front
line fighter and strike aircraft, the Australian Defence Warfare Center, and the
RAAF's New Surveillance and Control Group (SCG).
Williamtown is home to over fifty of Australia's Hornets plus Pilatus PC-9's, the new Hawk
lead in fighters having been assembled at BAe Systems new facility at Williamtown and the new
AEW&C aircraft when they arrive in a couple of years time and is where all work and testing will be
carried out on the Hornets as they go through the Hornet upgrade program (HUG).
(source RAAF)
Williamtown turns 60
On the 15 Feb 2001 Williamtown celebrated 60 years as a RAAF fighter base. Williamtown has come a long
way from its early beginnings when it was just a cleared grass strip with a couple of wartime huts for
workshops and accommodation. Even the first aircraft to arrive was an elderly Gipsy Moth flown by the
Commanding Officer. The first fighters did not arrive until July 1941 starting RAAF aircrew
training at Williamtown which has continued to this day.
This is a
private home page written by P J Smith who has no
links with the RAAF or any of the companies
listed in these pages.All views are those of the
author and not of the RAAF. Information on these
pages is for personal use only. Information I
have attained through a company or book has the
source in brackets at the bottom other wise it is
general knowledge I have learnt over the years of
being addicted to Aircraft. This is my first home
page. Hope you like it.
On the 15 Feb 2001 Williamtown celebrated 60 years as a RAAF fighter base. Williamtown has come a long
way from its early beginnings when it was just a cleared grass strip with a couple of wartime huts for
workshops and accommodation. Even the first aircraft to arrive was an elderly Gipsy Moth flown by the
Commanding Officer. The first fighters did not arrive until July 1941 starting RAAF aircrew
training at Williamtown which has continued to this day.
