RAAF Base Tindal is located 15 kms outside Katherine and 320 kms south-east of Darwin in the Northern Territory.
The airfield was constructed in 1942 during World War II and was originally called Carson's Airfield. Over time, it was upgraded and extended for commercial use and declared an operational Air Force Base in 1984, with an official opening on 1 October 1988.
Although it is Air Force's youngest operational base (except for bare bases), it is now one of Australia's most important Defence sites.
Every year, RAAF Base Tindal hosts major exercises typically featuring visiting aircraft and personnel from around the country and world. Notable exercises include Pitch Black, Diamond Storm, Arnhem Thunder and Talisman Sabre. RAAF Base Tindal’s ideal dry-season weather and proximity to Delamere Air Weapons Range makes it a superb location to conduct high-end training sorties for the RAAF and coalition partners.
RAAF Base Tindal is home to:
• No 17 Squadron
• No 2 Security Force Detachment Tindal
• No 2 Squadron Detachment Tindal
• Tindal Health Centre
• No 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron Detachment Tindal
• No 452 Squadron Tindal Flight
• No 75 Squadron
• No 1 Joint Military Policing Unit Detachment Tindal
• Chief Information Officer Group - Communications Security Tindal
• Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) Branch
• Estate and Infrastructure Group RAAF Tindal
• No 803 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets
The Army's North-West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) also has a detachment on the base.
Local Community
RAAF Base Tindal is very much part of the Katherine community. Our personnel (including our families) make up almost 10% of Katherine's population of 15,000 people.
The Base's contribution to the local community includes things such as:
• Community Engagement and cultural awareness
• Schools and Youth Group programs
• Defence aid to the civil community;
• use of some of the base sporting facilities; and
• fundraising efforts in support of local charities and community groups.
Tindal personnel support local sports and account for a large number of administrators and competitors.
The people of Katherine are also very supportive of the base and its personnel.
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.
