RAAF Base Darwin

Last updated

RAAF Base Darwin
Darwin , Northern Territory in Australia
C-130 Darwin 021205-O-9999G-012.jpg
A USAF C-130 taking off from RAAF Base Darwin in 1999
Australia Northern Territory relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
RAAF Base Darwin
(YPDN)
Location in the Northern Territory
Coordinates 12°24′53″S130°52′36″E / 12.41472°S 130.87667°E / -12.41472; 130.87667
Type Military airfield
Site information
Owner Department of Defence
OperatorAir Force Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Air Force
Website RAAF Base Darwin
Site history
In use1 June 1940 (1940-06-01) present
Battles/wars Bombing of Darwin, World War II
Garrison information
Occupants 2 Security forces Squadron Detachment Darwin
Airfield information
Identifiers IATA: DRW, ICAO: YPDN
Elevation31 metres (103 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
11/293,354 metres (11,004 ft)  Asphalt
18/361,524 metres (5,000 ft) Asphalt
Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart [1]

RAAF Base Darwin( IATA : DRW, ICAO : YPDN) is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) military air base located in the city of Darwin, in the Northern Territory, Australia. The base shares its runway with Darwin International Airport, for civil aviation purposes. The heritage-listed [2] RAAF Base Darwin is a forward operating base with year-round activity with approximately 400 personnel. [3]

Contents

History

Construction of the airfield began in 1938 and RAAF Station Darwin was established on 1 June 1940, [2] from elements of No. 12 Squadron RAAF. No. 13 Squadron RAAF was also created at the same time and was based at the base. Charles Eaton was the first Commanding Officer between 1940 and 1941. No. 12 Squadron RAAF relocated from Parap Airfield, Northern Territory in April 1941 to RAAF Station Darwin. The base hosted a large number of RAAF and United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) units during World War II. The base was bombed by Japanese forces many times, beginning with two major air raids on 19 February 1942.

Parts of the 45-hectare (110-acre) site are listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List, since 2004, with the citation stating: [2]

RAAF Base Darwin is historically significant for its direct association with the defence build up in Darwin in the period immediately before WWII. The base illustrates a change in Australian Defence policy with the Federal Government establishing a major military presence in the north of Australia. Importantly this action was material evidence of the development by Australia of an independent strategic policy in the years preceding WWII. The large scale of the base demonstrates the significance of the governments commitment to such a policy, and the scale of the perceived threat. This military development greatly accelerated Darwin's own development as a major centre in northern Australia.

The heritage items include several timber-framed and fibrous-cement clad houses, the timber-framed Sergeants Mess and Single Officer's Mess, the former Airmen's Mess, the Administrative Building, the Gymnasium and Canteen building, the Commanding Officers' Residence, the non-denominational chapel, the water tower, Guard House, the timber-framed School of Instruction, and various other residential quarters. [2]

Units based at RAAF Darwin during World War II

During World War II RAAF Base Darwin served as a first refuge for retreating USAAF units from the Philippines in 1941. The USAAF Far East Air Force and its subordinate commands, V Fighter and V Bomber established headquarters at Darwin in late December 1941. Later, the USAAF 49th Fighter Group and other units were assigned to Darwin before moving north to forward bases in 1943. From 9 August 1944 to 20 February 1945 the USAAF 380th Bombardment Group based four squadrons of long-range B-24 Liberator bombers at the base. From Darwin, the group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for a series of long-range attacks on oil refineries, shipping, and dock facilities in Balikpapan, Borneo, in August 1943. The unit repeatedly bombed enemy airfields in western New Guinea during April and May 1944 in support of American landings in the Hollandia area, being awarded another DUC for this action. Moved in February 1945 to Mindoro in the Philippines. [4]

In 1975, during the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy, the base was the centre of the largest airlift in Australian history in which the majority of Darwin's inhabitants were evacuated.

The base was an emergency landing site for the NASA Space Shuttle due to the length of its runway. United States Air Force (USAF) B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress bombers, as well as KC-10 and KC-135 tankers can operate from RAAF Base Darwin.

In 2010 it was reported that some houses near the base required extra sound proofing to deal with the extreme sound levels of the low observable Joint Strike Fighter. [5]

Current units

Unit name Force Element Group Aircraft/equipment
Headquarters No. 452 Squadron Surveillance and Response Group
No. 452 Squadron Darwin Flight Surveillance and Response Group
No. 92 Wing Detachment B Surveillance and Response Group AP-3C Orion
No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit Surveillance and Response Group AN/FPS-117 radar
Headquarters No. 396 Combat Support Wing Combat Support Group
No. 321 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron Combat Support Group
No. 1 Air Terminal Squadron Detachment Darwin Combat Support Group
No 13 (City of Darwin) Squadron Combat Support Group (RAAF Active Reserve)

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archerfield Airport</span> Municipal airport serving Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Archerfield Airport is a leased federal airport located in Archerfield, 11–12 km (6.8–7.5 mi) to the south of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. For some time, it was the primary airport in Brisbane, but it is now the secondary airport. During World War II, it was used as a Royal Australian Air Force station. Airport traffic peaked in the 1980s. In December 2010, a development plan was released for public comment and included a new parallel runway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAAF Base Tindal</span> Royal Australian Air Force base near Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia

RAAF Base Tindal is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) military air base and civil aviation airfield located 8 nautical miles east southeast of the town of Katherine, Northern Territory in Australia. The base is currently home to No. 75 Squadron and a number of non-flying units, and also hosts the civilian Katherine Tindal Airport. First constructed in 1942, it was refurbished in the late 1960s as a bare base capable of being utilised when required. It was opened as a permanently manned RAAF base in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAAF Base Townsville</span>

RAAF Base Townsville is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) air base located in Garbutt, 2 nautical miles west of Townsville in Queensland, Australia. It is the headquarters for No. 1 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets and, along with Lavarack Barracks, establishes Townsville as a key military centre. The base's airfield is shared with the Townsville Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 13 Squadron RAAF</span> Royal Australian Air Force squadron

No. 13 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadron. The unit saw combat during World War II as a bomber and maritime patrol squadron and is currently active as a mixed regular and reserve RAAF unit located in Darwin, fulfilling both operational support and training duties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 12 Squadron RAAF</span> Royal Australian Air Force squadron

No. 12 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) general purpose, bomber and transport squadron. The squadron was formed in 1939 and saw combat in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II. From 1941 to 1943, it mainly conducted maritime patrols off northern Australia. The squadron was based at Merauke in western New Guinea from November 1943 to July 1944, when it was withdrawn from operations. After being re-equipped, it operated as a heavy bomber unit from February 1945 until the end of the war. The squadron continued in this role until it was redesignated No. 1 Squadron RAAF in February 1948. The squadron was reformed in 1973 to operate transport helicopters but was again disbanded in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 452 Squadron RAAF</span> Royal Australian Air Force squadron

No. 452 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) air traffic control unit. It was established in 1941 as a fighter squadron, in accordance with Article XV of the Empire Air Training Scheme during World War II. The squadron flew Supermarine Spitfires for the entire war, initially over the United Kingdom and Nazi-occupied Europe. It was later based in Australia and the Netherlands East Indies, before being disbanded in 1945. It was re-raised in its current role in February 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North-Eastern Area Command</span> Royal Australian Air Force command

North-Eastern Area Command was one of several geographically based commands raised by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II. For most of its existence it controlled units based in central and northern Queensland as well as Papua New Guinea. It was formed in January 1942 from the eastern part of the former Northern Area Command, which had covered all of northern Australia and Papua. Headquartered at Townsville, Queensland, North-Eastern Area Command's responsibilities included air defence, aerial reconnaissance and protection of the sea lanes within its territory. Its flying units, equipped with fighters, reconnaissance bombers, dive bombers and transports, took part in the battles of Rabaul, Port Moresby and Milne Bay in 1942, and the landings at Hollandia and Aitape in 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mungalalu Truscott Airbase</span> Airport in Western Australia

Mungalalu Truscott Airbase or Truscott-Mungalalu Airport, which during World War II was known as Truscott Airfield is today a commercial airport in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Cloncurry Airport is an airport in Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batchelor Airfield</span> Australian non-commercial airport

Batchelor Airfield, is an airport located south of Batchelor, Northern Territory, Australia. The airport currently has no commercial air services; however, it is utilised by the Northern Australian Gliding Club and the Alice Springs Aero Club as a flight training base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strauss Airfield</span> Airport in Noonamah, Northern Territory

Strauss Airfield was an airfield in the Northern Territory of Australia in the locality of Noonamah constructed between 19 March to 27 April 1942 during World War II. It was also known as 27 Mile Field or Humpty Doo Strip.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fenton Airfield</span> World War II airfield

Fenton Airfield was a World War II military airfield in the Northern Territory of Australia located at Tipperary Station in what is now the locality of Douglas-Daly and named after flight lieutenant Clyde Fenton.

Long Airfield was a World War II military airfield located in the locality of Douglas-Daly, Northern Territory, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Air Forces in Australia</span>

During 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. From these airports and airfields in Australia, the Fifth Air Force was able to regroup, re-equip and begin offensive operations against the Empire of Japan after the disasters in the Philippines and Dutch East Indies during 1942.

Petrie Airfield was a World War II military airfield located just to the south of the North Pine River in what is now Lawnton, Queensland, Australia. After the war, the airfield was dismantled and the area is now part of the urban area of Petrie-Strathpine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mareeba Airfield</span> Airport in Queensland, Australia

Mareeba Airfield is an airfield located 4.3 nautical miles south of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. Built in 1942 as a US Army Air Force base during World War II, the airfield had two runways, with a complement of taxiways, hardstands and a containment area. After the war, much of the airfield reverted to agricultural use, while the southern runway remains as an active airfield.

No. 1 Wing was an Australian Flying Corps (AFC) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) wing active during World War I and World War II. The wing was established on 1 September 1917 as the 1st Training Wing and commanded the AFC's pilot training squadrons in England until April 1919, when it was disbanded. It was reformed on 7 October 1942 as a fighter unit comprising two Australian and one British flying squadrons equipped with Supermarine Spitfire aircraft, and a mobile fighter sector headquarters. The wing provided air defence to Darwin and several other key Allied bases in northern Australia until the end of the war, and was again disbanded in October 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Jeffrey (RAAF officer)</span> Royal Australian Air Force fighter pilot

Peter Jeffrey, was a senior officer and fighter ace in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Born in Tenterfield, New South Wales, he joined the RAAF active reserve in 1934, and transferred to the Permanent Air Force (PAF) shortly before World War II. Posted to the Middle East in July 1940, Jeffrey saw action with No. 3 Squadron and took command of the unit the following year, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for his energy and fighting skills. He was appointed wing leader of No. 234 Wing RAF in November 1941, and became an ace the same month with his fifth solo victory. The next month he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his achievements, which included rescuing a fellow pilot who had crash landed in the desert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North-Western Area Command</span> Royal Australian Air Force command

North-Western Area Command was one of several geographically based commands raised by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II. Its wartime sphere of operations included the Northern Territory, adjacent portions of Queensland and Western Australia, and the Dutch East Indies. The command was formed in January 1942, following the outbreak of the Pacific War, from the western part of Northern Area Command, which had covered all of northern Australia and Papua. Headquartered at Darwin, North-Western Area Command was initially responsible for air defence, aerial reconnaissance and protection of the sea lanes within its boundaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vultee Vengeance in Australian service</span> Royal Australian Air Force dive bombers during World War II

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operated Vultee Vengeance dive bombers during World War II. The Australian Government ordered 297 of the type in late 1941 as part of efforts to expand the RAAF. This order was later increased to 400 aircraft. A few Vengeances arrived in Australia during 1942, and large-scale deliveries commenced in early 1943; further orders were cancelled in 1944 after 342 had been delivered.

References

  1. YPDN – Darwin  (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia , effective 21 March 2024, Aeronautical Chart Archived 25 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  2. 1 2 3 4 "RAAF Base Precinct, Stuart Hwy, RAAF Base Darwin, NT, Australia (Place ID 1052524)". Australian Heritage Database . Australian Government.
  3. "RAAF Base Darwin". Royal Australian Air Force . Australian Government. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  4. Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN   0-89201-092-4
  5. "Homes to be insulated against Strike Fighter noise". ABC News . Australia. 1 October 2010.

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency