RAAF Tindal (Carson's Airfield)

RAAF Base Tindal is located 15 kilometers east-southeast of Katherine in the Northern Territory. Originally constructed in 1942 by the US Army 43rd Engineer General Service Regiment, it was initially designated Carson's Airfield. The site was renamed in 1946 to honor Wing Commander Archibald Tindal. In 1963, the location was selected for development as an unmanned operational base, or bare base, due to its inland position and proximity to Darwin. Construction of the runway and essential infrastructure was completed in 1967. The Australian government transitioned the facility to a permanently manned installation in the 1980s to serve as a fast jet base. It became operational on October 1, 1988, and officially opened on March 31, 1989.

The base is operated by the Royal Australian Air Force and is manned by uniformed personnel. No. 75 Squadron is the primary flying unit, operating F-35A Lightning II multirole combat aircraft. Non-flying units stationed at the base include No. 452 Squadron Tindal Flight for air traffic control and a detachment of No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit for aerial surveillance. Combat support and security are provided by No. 17 Squadron, No. 322 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron, No. 1 Airfield Operations Support Squadron Detachment, No. 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron Detachment, and No. 2 Security Forces Squadron. The site also hosts a detachment of the Army's NORFORCE and a RAAF Military Police unit.

Infrastructure includes facilities for the operation and maintenance of F-35A aircraft, fuel and ammunition storage, and mission planning buildings. The airfield supports United States Air Force long-range bomber operations, including B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit aircraft. Construction has provided an expanded apron with capacity for six heavy bombers. The base also incorporates the Katherine Tindal Civilian Airport, which features a general aviation apron and a passenger terminal for civil aviation.