The Air Force is proud to have been part of the Hunter since the late 1930s when the Defence Practice Area was first designated at Williamtown, and we look forward to continuing our positive relationship with the local community.
RAAF Base Williamtown is home to the tactical fighter element of the Air Combat Group and the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) element of Surveillance and Response Group.
These squadrons are based at Williamtown:
- Headquarters Air Combat Group
- No 81 Wing
- No 78 Wing
- No 453 Squadron (453SQN) Williamtown Flight
- No 3 Squadron (3SQN) operating F/A-18 Hornet aircraft
- No 77 Squadron (77SQN) operating F/A-18 Hornet aircraft
- No 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU) operating F/A-18 Hornet aircraft
- No 76 Squadron (76SQN) operating Hawk Mk127 aircraft
- No 4 Squadron (4SQN) operating PC-9/A Forward Air Control aircraft
- No 2 Squadron (2SQN) operating AEW&C E-7A Wedgetail aircraft
- No 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron, Headquarters
- No 1 Combat Communication Squadron Flight Williamtown
- No 453 Squadron (453SQN) Headquarters
- No 26 (City of Newcastle) Squadron - Airbase Operations
- No 381 Squadron - Contingency Response
- No 1 Security Force Squadron, Headquarters
It is Air Force's intent that RAAF Base Williamtown remain as the nation's main fighter pilot training base, and will house most of the planned F-35A Joint Strike Fighter.
Our Contribution
RAAF Base Williamtown makes a considerable contribution to the local Hunter community. This includes:
Economic value
- We employ 3500 people directly
- Salaries - $280m
- Defence Housing - 857 properties with an annual rent bill of $17.9m
- Private Rental Assistance - 647 instances at $18.8m
Capital Works in the last 10 years
- Williamtown Redevelopment Stage 1 - $149m
- Aircraft Clear Water Rinse Facility - $3m
Future Capital Works in the next 10 years
- Williamtown Redevelopment Stage 2 (2014 - 2019) - $219m
- New Air Combat Capability Works - $679m
- Runway Extension - $200m
Social value to the local community
- our 2000 families live in the community
- our children go to local schools
- our families play in local sporting teams
- our families contribute to local volunteer organisations and community groups
Aircraft Noise
Air Force has an honest and open approach to aircraft noise that may affect neighbours of our bases and training areas.
Our pilots and crews operate their aircraft in a way that minimises aircraft noise, and we freely distribute information about aircraft noise, such as Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) maps.
For more information, visit the Defence Aircraft Noise website or call 1300 DEFENCE (1300 333 362).
See Flying Operations to view major training exercises and flying activities.
Read the F-35A Flying Operations Approval and Conditions.
Property Development around RAAF Williamtown
The Air Force is proud of its 'fly neighbourly' policy at RAAF Base Williamtown, which reduces aircraft noise for existing homeowners.
One way Air Force reduces aircraft noise around RAAF Base Williamtown is to reduce flights over existing, heavily populated, residential areas.
New developments that are built inside zones of the Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) map that are already deemed unsuitable by relevant Australian Standards, will expose new homeowners to aircraft noise.
It is unreasonable to expect Air Force to reduce the noise impact for homeowners that knowingly purchase new properties within these zones.
Williamtown Consultative Forum
The Williamtown Consultative Forum allows government and elected community representatives to share important information and raise strategic issues associated with RAAF Base Williamtown and the Salt Ash Air Weapons Range.
Find out more about the Williamtown Consultative Forum.
Williamtown Advisory Group
RAAF Base Williamtown has created an advisory group to establish links with local communities.
Find out more about the Williamtown Advisory Group.
