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RAAF Base Pearce

RAAF Base Pearce (ICAO YPEA) is an active joint civil-military airfield in Australia, operated by the Royal Australian Air Force. It has 3 runways (longest 2,974 m). Home to No. 2 Flying Training School, No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron, No. 79 Squadron, No. 453 Squadron Pearce Flight and 3 other units, flying Pilatus PC-21.

Facility Details

Summary
Operating Country 🇦🇺 Australia
Location🇦🇺 Australia
Status Active
UsageDual
Year built1936
Operating OrganizationRoyal Australian Air Force
Units & aircraft
No. 2 Flying Training School · Pilatus PC-21No. 25 (City of Perth) SquadronNo. 79 SquadronNo. 453 Squadron Pearce FlightNo. 3 Security Force Squadron DetachmentNo. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron Detachment PearceNo. 130 Squadron RSAF
Location & Technical Details
Coordinates-31.6678°N, 116.0150°E
Elevation46 m (151 ft)
ICAO codeYPEA
Runways
05/23 · 1,691 m (5,548 ft) · Asphalt18L/36R · 2,974 m (9,757 ft) · Asphalt18R/36L · 1,741 m (5,712 ft) · Concrete
Websitewww.airforce.gov.au/about-us/bases/wa/pearce

Description

RAAF Base Pearce is situated in Bullsbrook, north of Perth, Western Australia. Constructed between 1936 and 1939, the facility was granted station status on 6 February 1939. It is named after Sir George Pearce, who served as a Senator and Minister for Defence. The base opened with Nos. 14 and 25 Squadrons as its initial resident units. During World War II, it hosted No. 5 Initial Training School under the Empire Air Training Scheme and No. 85 Squadron. In 1964, the base was utilized for a joint Australian and United States research program concerning aero-space disturbances.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operates the base, which functions as a pilot training installation and a logistics facility on the west coast. The base maintains operational responsibility for RAAF Gingin. RAAF units stationed at the base include No. 2 Flying Training School, which operates PC-21 aircraft, and No. 79 Squadron, which operates Hawk 127 fighter-trainers. Other resident units include No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron, No. 453 Squadron Pearce Flight, and detachments from No. 1 Airfield Operations Support Squadron, No. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron, and No. 3 Security Force Squadron.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has maintained its Flying Training Institute at the base since 1993, with No. 130 Squadron RSAF operating training aircraft on-site. The facility serves as the headquarters for No. 7 Wing and No. 701 Squadron of the Australian Air Force Cadets. Infrastructure includes a Boeing 747 mockup used by the Special Air Service Regiment Tactical Assault Group (West) for counter-terrorism and hostage rescue drills.

Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources. Last updated on 14 August 2026. Suggest a change
Latest Data Updates
  1. AUG 142026 Updated Based aircraft recorded: Pilatus PC-21
  2. AUG 132026 Updated Runway records recorded, with elevation, airport codes and official website
  3. JAN 192026 Created Page created: RAAF Base Pearce