RAAF Base Williamtown

RAAF Base Williamtown is located in Port Stephens, New South Wales, 15 kilometers north of Newcastle. Established on 15 February 1941, the base was constructed to provide protection for the port and steel manufacturing facilities in Newcastle. During World War II, the site hosted the Williamtown Flying School and served as a location for the formation of Empire Air Training Scheme squadrons. No. 4 Operational Training Unit was based at the facility between 1942 and 1944.

Following World War II, the facility was retained as a fighter base. The station operated Gloster Meteor and CAC Sabre fighters before transitioning to the Dassault Mirage in 1961. In 1983, the role of the base was updated to a tactical fighter base to support the introduction of F/A-18 Hornets in 1989.

The facility is operated by the Royal Australian Air Force and serves as the headquarters for the Air Combat Group and the Surveillance and Response Group. Stationed units include No. 81 Wing, No. 78 Wing, No. 42 Wing, and No. 41 Wing. The base hosts squadrons of F-35A Lightning II aircraft, including No. 3 Squadron, No. 77 Squadron, and No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit. No. 2 Squadron operates E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, while No. 76 Squadron operates Hawk 127 trainers and No. 4 Squadron operates PC-21 trainers. Support units include No. 26 (City of Newcastle) Squadron, No. 1 Security Forces Squadron, and No. 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron.

The airfield shares its runway with Newcastle Airport under a lease agreement with the Department of Defence. Base infrastructure includes buildings listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List and facilities for aircraft maintenance, medical services, and program offices for tactical fighter and airborne early warning systems. The site also hosts Fighter World, a museum for fighter aircraft. Operational capabilities include a runway extension that allows fighter aircraft to depart without the use of afterburners.