RAAF Base Williamtown is responsible for the Salt Ash Air Weapons Range (SAAWR) which is located approximately 6km to the north-east of the base.
SAAWR is used for air-surface gunnery and bombing practice. The proximity of SAAWR to RAAF Base Williamtown makes it ideal for air-to-ground attack training of pilots.
The primary users of SAAWR are RAAF Base Williamtown Air Combat Group (ACG) Flying Squadrons which include F-35A Lightning II and the Hawk 127 in addition to the PC-21 aircraft – Forward Air Control variant.
Noise mitigation
Low-flying is restricted to specialist training operations in designated airspace over the Salt Ash Weapons Range, in the Western Airspace beginning approximately 200km to the west of RAAF Base Williamtown, and in areas south of Forster and Tuncurry.
Night flying can be conducted at the SAAWR until 9:00pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) and 10.30pm Eastern Standard Summer Time. Night flying is restricted to the minimum required to achieve training targets.
Under the Environmental Impact Statement for the Hawk 127 flying operations, SAAWR can be used on a rolling average for 115 days each year.
Noise abatement procedures and strategies for RAAF Base Williamtown and Salt Ash Air Weapons Range are outlined in the RAAF Base Williamtown Aircraft Noise Management Plan.