RAAF Base Darwin

RAAF Base Darwin is located in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. It was established as RAAF Station Darwin on 1 June 1940, formed from elements of No. 12 Squadron RAAF. Charles Eaton served as the first Commanding Officer. During World War II, the base hosted RAAF and United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) units, including the headquarters of the Far East Air Force and its subordinate V Fighter and V Bomber commands. The facility was subject to multiple air raids by Japanese forces, starting with two attacks on 19 February 1942. Between 1944 and 1945, the USAAF 380th Bombardment Group operated squadrons of B-24 Liberator bombers from the base. In 1975, the base supported the evacuation of Darwin following Cyclone Tracy.

The Royal Australian Air Force operates the facility as a forward operating base with approximately 400 personnel. It shares its runway with Darwin International Airport for civil aviation. Current units stationed at the base include Headquarters No. 452 Squadron, No. 452 Squadron Darwin Flight, and No. 92 Wing Detachment B, which operates AP-3C Orion aircraft. Surveillance is conducted by No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit using AN/FPS-117 radar. Combat support and logistics are managed by Headquarters No. 396 Combat Support Wing, No. 321 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron, No. 1 Air Terminal Squadron Detachment Darwin, and No. 13 (City of Darwin) Squadron. The base also hosts a detachment of 2 Security Forces Squadron.

The 45-hectare site contains heritage-listed infrastructure, including the former control and water tower, administrative buildings, the Sergeants Mess, and various residential quarters. The base is an emergency landing site for the NASA Space Shuttle and operates F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. It hosts United States Air Force aircraft, including B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress bombers, as well as KC-10 and KC-135 tankers.