RAAF Williams
Encyclopedia
RAAF Williams comprises the two bases of Point Cook
and Laverton
. Both establishments previously existed as separate RAAF Bases (RAAF Base Point Cook and RAAF Base Laverton) until 1999 when they were amalgamated to form RAAF Williams. The name was chosen in honour of Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams, the 'father' of the Royal Australian Air Force
.
. Point Cook remained the RAAF's only base until 1925 when RAAF Base Richmond
and RAAF Base Laverton were also built.
Point Cook is considered the birthplace and the spiritual home of the RAAF. It is also the airport at which the Royal Victorian Aero Club
was established. It contains a memorial parade ground which was built in the 1920s, a site which was previously used by the AFC for drill training. Point Cook still has an operating airfield, but military operations are generally restricted to the Museum based there. The airfield is used by a number of General Aviation users, although it is still classified as a military aerodrome. It is the longest continuously operating military aerodrome in the world.
RAAF Williams Point Cook base is the former home of the RAAF College
including Officer Training School
(OTS) and the RAAF Academy from 1961 to 1985, and is currently used for the Air Force element of the ADF Gap Year Program. The RAAF Museum is also located there. All administrative functions are located at the Laverton base, and there is a single mess service (Officers Mess Annexe) which provides a meal service to all personnel, and a bar service to Gap Year students only.
, which was opened slightly before Laverton. Laverton is the home of Headquarters Air Force Training Group (formerly Training Command). It also contains all the administrative functions of RAAF Williams. Other units at Laverton are the ADF School of Languages, Defence International Training Centre (DITC), Director General Technical Airworthiness, No. 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron (RAAF Active Reserve) and a number of smaller sub-units. It also hosts an element of 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment, Australian Army Reserve
, as well as elements of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO).
In 1946 Laverton played host to the first flight of the newly formed Trans Australia Airlines
, its DC3 VH-AES 'Hawdon' forced to use the airbase as operations at Essendon had become adversely affected by recent heavy rains. The base hosted the shotgun
portion of the shooting
events for the 1956 Summer Olympics
.
Laverton's airfield was decommissioned in the early 1990s. In early 2007 the Victorian State Government gave approval for the land that was formally the Laverton airfield and runway to be developed into the new suburb of Williams Landing
. Three areas totalling 55 hectares (136 acre) have been set aside for conservation. There is over 100 ha (247 acre) of nationally significant native grassland outside the reserves allowed to be cleared by the state and federal government. Williams Landing will be developed into a Transit-oriented development
, major activity centre
and employment node. As well as being a major activity centre and employment node, there will also be four residential neighbourhoods each with their own distinctive character. Construction of Williams Landing commenced in late 2007 and is due for completion by 2025.
was held on a racetrack mapped out on the runways and support roads of the Point Cook airfield. The race was won by Frank Pratt driving a BMW 328
.
The RAAF Museum
is located at Point Cook and has a large collection of ex-RAAF aircraft from the prewar years until recent decades. It can be visited by the public on several days per week.
RMIT University
's flight training courses are conducted at its private facility located on the base.
Between 2005 and 2007 Laverton and Point Cook were used by the Victorian Brigade, Australian Army Cadets, to conduct promotion courses whilst the usual site of Puckapunyal was being refurbished. In December 2008 the Australian Army Cadets Senior Leaders (Sergeant & Staff Sergeants) Course was held at Laverton.
Point Cook, Victoria
Point Cook is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 25 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Wyndham. At the 2006 Census, Point Cook had a population of 14,162, now it is estimated that the population of Point Cook is 32,167...
and Laverton
Laverton, Victoria
Laverton is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 17 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Hobsons Bay and Wyndham. At the 2006 Census, Laverton had a population of 4508.-History:...
. Both establishments previously existed as separate RAAF Bases (RAAF Base Point Cook and RAAF Base Laverton) until 1999 when they were amalgamated to form RAAF Williams. The name was chosen in honour of Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams, the 'father' of the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
.
RAAF Williams Point Cook Base
Point Cook was purchased by the government in 1912 with the vision to form what would become the Australian Flying Corps. Due to the success of the AFC in the First World War, the AFC became a separate service, the Royal Australian Air ForceRoyal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
. Point Cook remained the RAAF's only base until 1925 when RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
and RAAF Base Laverton were also built.
Point Cook is considered the birthplace and the spiritual home of the RAAF. It is also the airport at which the Royal Victorian Aero Club
Royal Victorian Aero Club
The Royal Victorian Aero Club is an Australian aero club based at Moorabbin Airport in Melbourne. Originating in 1914 it is amongst the world's oldest Aviation organisations...
was established. It contains a memorial parade ground which was built in the 1920s, a site which was previously used by the AFC for drill training. Point Cook still has an operating airfield, but military operations are generally restricted to the Museum based there. The airfield is used by a number of General Aviation users, although it is still classified as a military aerodrome. It is the longest continuously operating military aerodrome in the world.
RAAF Williams Point Cook base is the former home of the RAAF College
RAAF College
The Royal Australian Air Force College is the Royal Australian Air Force training and education academy which is responsible for all the Air Force's initial, career development, promotion and leadership training...
including Officer Training School
Officer Training School RAAF
Officers' Training School is the unit responsible for preparing recruits, senior airmen and Warrant Officers for careers as commissioned officers in the Royal Australian Air Force...
(OTS) and the RAAF Academy from 1961 to 1985, and is currently used for the Air Force element of the ADF Gap Year Program. The RAAF Museum is also located there. All administrative functions are located at the Laverton base, and there is a single mess service (Officers Mess Annexe) which provides a meal service to all personnel, and a bar service to Gap Year students only.
RAAF Williams Laverton Base
Laverton is the third oldest RAAF base, being built at the same time as RAAF Base RichmondRAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
, which was opened slightly before Laverton. Laverton is the home of Headquarters Air Force Training Group (formerly Training Command). It also contains all the administrative functions of RAAF Williams. Other units at Laverton are the ADF School of Languages, Defence International Training Centre (DITC), Director General Technical Airworthiness, No. 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron (RAAF Active Reserve) and a number of smaller sub-units. It also hosts an element of 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment, Australian Army Reserve
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
, as well as elements of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO).
In 1946 Laverton played host to the first flight of the newly formed Trans Australia Airlines
Trans Australia Airlines
Trans Australia Airlines or TAA, was one of the two major Australian domestic airlines between its inception in 1946 and its sale to Qantas in May 1996. During that period TAA played a major part in the development of the Australian air transport industry...
, its DC3 VH-AES 'Hawdon' forced to use the airbase as operations at Essendon had become adversely affected by recent heavy rains. The base hosted the shotgun
Shotgun
A shotgun is a firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder, which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called shot, or a solid projectile called a slug...
portion of the shooting
Shooting at the 1956 Summer Olympics
At the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, seven events in shooting were contested, all for men only.-Medal summary:-Medal table:...
events for the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
.
Laverton's airfield was decommissioned in the early 1990s. In early 2007 the Victorian State Government gave approval for the land that was formally the Laverton airfield and runway to be developed into the new suburb of Williams Landing
Williams Landing, Victoria
Williams Landing is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 17 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Wyndham....
. Three areas totalling 55 hectares (136 acre) have been set aside for conservation. There is over 100 ha (247 acre) of nationally significant native grassland outside the reserves allowed to be cleared by the state and federal government. Williams Landing will be developed into a Transit-oriented development
Transit-oriented development
A transit-oriented development is a mixed-use residential or commercial area designed to maximize access to public transport, and often incorporates features to encourage transit ridership...
, major activity centre
Activity centre
Activity centre is a term used in urban planning and design for a mixed-use urban area where there is a concentration of commercial and other land uses...
and employment node. As well as being a major activity centre and employment node, there will also be four residential neighbourhoods each with their own distinctive character. Construction of Williams Landing commenced in late 2007 and is due for completion by 2025.
Units
| Unit name | FEG | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters Air Force Training Group | Air Force Training Group | |
| No. 21 Squadron No. 21 Squadron RAAF No. 21 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force general reserve squadron. It saw action as a fighter, dive bomber and heavy bomber unit during World War II.-History:... |
Combat Support Group | |
| ADF School of Languages | Air Force Training Group | |
| Air Force Band | Air Force Training Group | |
| Combat Support Unit - Williams | Air Force Training Group | |
| Defence International Training Centre | Air Force Training Group | |
| Health Services Training Flight | Air Force Training Group | |
| RAAF Gap Year Program | Air Force Training Group | |
| RAAF Museum RAAF Museum RAAF Museum is the official museum of the Royal Australian Air Force, the second oldest air force in the world, located at RAAF Williams Point Cook. The museum displays aircraft of significance to the RAAF from its inception as the Australian Flying Corps to the present... |
Air Force Training Group | |
| No. 4 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets | Australian Air Force Cadets Australian Air Force Cadets The Australian Air Force Cadets , known as the Air Training Corps until 2001, is a Federal Government funded youth organisation. The parent force of the AAFC is the Royal Australian Air Force... |
|
| No. 404 Squadron AAFC | No. 4 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets | | |
| 8/7 RVR | Army | | |
Other activities
In 1948 the Australian Grand PrixAustralian Grand Prix
The Australian Grand Prix is a motor race held annually and is held to be the pinnacle of motor racing in Australia. The Grand Prix is the oldest surviving motor racing competition held in Australia having been held 76 times since it was first run at Phillip Island in 1928. Since 1985 the race has...
was held on a racetrack mapped out on the runways and support roads of the Point Cook airfield. The race was won by Frank Pratt driving a BMW 328
BMW 328
The BMW 328 is a sports car made by BMW between 1936 and 1940, with the body design credited to Peter Szymanowski, who became BMW chief of design after World War II ....
.
The RAAF Museum
RAAF Museum
RAAF Museum is the official museum of the Royal Australian Air Force, the second oldest air force in the world, located at RAAF Williams Point Cook. The museum displays aircraft of significance to the RAAF from its inception as the Australian Flying Corps to the present...
is located at Point Cook and has a large collection of ex-RAAF aircraft from the prewar years until recent decades. It can be visited by the public on several days per week.
RMIT University
RMIT University
RMIT University is an Australian public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. It has two branches, referred to as RMIT University in Australia and RMIT International University in Vietnam....
's flight training courses are conducted at its private facility located on the base.
Between 2005 and 2007 Laverton and Point Cook were used by the Victorian Brigade, Australian Army Cadets, to conduct promotion courses whilst the usual site of Puckapunyal was being refurbished. In December 2008 the Australian Army Cadets Senior Leaders (Sergeant & Staff Sergeants) Course was held at Laverton.
See also
- United States Army Air Forces in AustraliaUnited States Army Air Forces in AustraliaDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Forces established a series of airfields in Australia for the collective defense of the country, as well as for conducting offensive operations against the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy...
(World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
)