RAAF Base Woomera

RAAF Base Woomera is a military installation in South Australia, located within the RAAF Woomera Range Complex approximately 450 km north of RAAF Base Edinburgh. The airfield was surveyed in 1947, with the first aircraft landing in June of that year. The facility was formally proclaimed as a Royal Australian Air Force base in January 2015, at which time the Woomera Village was incorporated into the base structure.

The Royal Australian Air Force operates the base under the direction of the Commander, Air Warfare Centre. Operational management is the joint responsibility of Air Force Test Ranges and the Defence Estate and Infrastructure Group. The base provides operational and garrison support for activities within the RAAF Woomera Range Complex, which functions as a specialized systems test range. The Air Force Test Ranges Squadron maintains a permanent detachment at the facility. Personnel from the Australian Defence Force and the Department of Defence are stationed at the base to support range operations.

The installation is divided into two sectors. Base Sector North is a restricted area containing the airfield, hangars, technical areas, and Camp Rapier. Base Sector South encompasses the Woomera Village, which functions as an open-base garrison. Infrastructure includes an active control tower constructed in 1953 and an air movements terminal. Airfield facilities, including aprons and taxiways, were refurbished between 2015 and 2018. RAAF Base Woomera is capable of operating all current Australian Defence Force aircraft types, including fast jets and C-17A Globemasters. The airfield is equipped to host large-frame aircraft such as the C-5 Galaxy and Boeing 747 and can be fitted with arrestor cable systems for F/A-18 Hornet operations. The complex also includes Evetts Field, a semi-operational satellite airfield located 40 kilometres northwest of the primary airfield.