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    Williamtown Airfield (RAAF Base Williamtown) New South Wales Australia
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Location
Lat 32° 47' 42"S Long 151° 50' 5"E  Williamtown Airfield is located north of Williamstown and Newcastle in New South Wales (NSW) in Australia. Also known as RAAF Station Williamtown and postwar RAAF Base Williamtown. Shares the same runway as Newcastle Airport.

Construction
On February 15, 1941 RAAF Station Williamtown was established to provide aerial protection to the strategic port and steel manufacturing facilities in the Hunter Region. The base had four runways, each measuring 1,100 meters / 3,600 feet in length to meet the needs of the Williamtown Flying School. The School consisted of 62 buildings which accommodates 366 officers and men.

Wartime History
Used by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for the duration of the Pacific War. Used by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) during the first half of 1942.

Allied units based at Williamtown
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF)
35th FG, 39th FS (P-39) Mount Gambier arrives April 3, 1942April 20, 1942 departs Woodstock
43rd BG, 65th BS (B-17) ? - August 15, 1942 departs Torrens Creek
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)
4 OTU (Vengeance / Wirraway) activated October 1, 1942–April 30, 1944 disbanded
5 OTU (Beaufighter / Mosquito) Tocumwal March 1, 1944 - February 1, 1946 reorganized as CCU

Post War
Williamtown Airfield was renamed RAAF Base Williamtown and remained in use by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Today
The single runway is oriented 30/12 and measures 7,999' x 148' surfaced by asphalt. Airport Codes: IATA: NTL, ICAO: YWLM. Today, Newcastle Airport shares the same runways as RAAF Base Williamtown. The terminal for the airport is located along Williamtown Drive on the opposite side of RAAF Base Williamtown.

RAAF units based at Williamtown
2 Squadron (Boeing 737 Wedgetail)
3 Squadron (F/A-18 Hornet)
4 Squadron (Pilatus PC-9)
76 Squadron (BAe Hawk 127)
77 Squadron (F/A-18 Hornet)
2 OCU (F/A-18 Hornet)

Fighter World
Museum located on Medowie Road which includes a number of ex-RAAF aircraft on display.

References
Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF Base Williamtown
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information

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Last Updated
April 19, 2021

 

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