RAAF Base East Sale

RAAF Base East Sale is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) military airfield and training school located in Sale, Victoria. Established on 22 April 1943, the base initially hosted No. 1 Operational Training Unit, which operated Bristol Beaufort light bombers, Lockheed Hudsons, Airspeed Oxfords, and Fairey Battles. These units provided aircrew training, maritime surveillance, and convoy protection. In 1947, the Central Flying School relocated to the base from RAAF Base Point Cook, introducing De Havilland Vampire jet aircraft in 1953. The base has served as the home for RAAF aerobatic teams including the Red Sales, the Telstars, and the Roulettes.

The facility is operated by the RAAF as a training establishment. It hosts Headquarters Air Training Wing and the Officers' Training School. Resident units include No. 1 Flying Training School, No. 2 Flying Training School, the Air Mission Training School, the School of Air Traffic Control, and the Central Flying School. Operational and support units stationed at the base include No. 32 Squadron, No. 30 (City of Sale) Squadron, No. 453 East Sale Flight, and the 4/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment. Technical and administrative support is provided by the Training Aircraft Systems Program Office, the Aviation Candidate Management Centre, and a detachment of No. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron.

Infrastructure supports flight training, technical instruction, and officer development. The base hosts fleets of Pilatus PC-21 aircraft for basic and advanced pilot training, and Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft utilized by No. 32 Squadron for air mission training. Facilities include the School of Air Traffic Control and the Officers' Training School. Near the entrance, static displays feature historical aircraft including a CAC CA-25 Winjeel, an Aermacchi MB-326H, and a Pilatus PC-9/A. The base also serves as a location for Australian Air Force Cadets training, specifically for No. 409 Squadron and 4 Wing.