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RAAF Base Curtin (Curtin Airport)

RAAF Base Curtin (also Curtin Airport; ICAO YCIN) is an active joint civil-military airfield in Australia, operated by the Royal Australian Air Force. It has 1 runway (3,049 m). Home to Bare base.

Facility Details

Summary
Operating Country 🇦🇺 Australia
Location🇦🇺 Australia
Status Active
UsageDual
Year built1983
Operating OrganizationRoyal Australian Air Force
Units & aircraft
Bare base
Location & Technical Details
Coordinates-17.5814°N, 123.8283°E
Elevation91 m (299 ft)
IATA codeDCN
ICAO codeYCIN
Runways
11/29 · 3,049 m (10,003 ft) · Asphalt
Websitewww.airforce.gov.au/about-us/bases/raaf-base-curtin

Description

RAAF Base Curtin is a joint-use military air base and civil airport located 35 kilometers southeast of Derby, Western Australia. Owned by the Department of Defence, the 25,000-hectare site is operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Shire of Derby–West Kimberley.

Named in honor of former Prime Minister John Curtin, the facility was the first major military airfield built in Australia following World War II. Construction commenced in 1983, and the base was opened on 11 June 1988. The RAAF activated the site twice between 1988 and 2013. From the late 1990s until 2002, and again starting in 2010, the base housed the Curtin Immigration Reception and Processing Centre. Civil aviation services between Perth and the base operated from 2007 until 2016.

RAAF Base Curtin is one of three bare bases maintained by the RAAF. No units are permanently stationed at the facility, which is managed by a caretaker staff during peacetime. The infrastructure supports the operation of various aircraft, including F-35A Lightning II fighters and B-2 Spirit bombers.

Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources. Last updated on 13 August 2026. Suggest a change
Latest Data Updates
  1. AUG 132026 Updated Runway records recorded, with elevation, airport codes and official website
  2. JAN 192026 Created Page created: RAAF Base Curtin