The challenges of managing an Airbase in a Capital City

RAAF Station Darwin under construction

RAAF Station Darwin under construction

Under Construction

Under Construction

Stuart Highway

Oval

HQ

Marrara

Old Civil Terminal

Defence needs the Northern Territory and the Northern Territory needs Defence.

• Economic benefits • Ex Pitch Black - $25m to the local economy

• Regional Security• Emergency assistance to the community

CYCLONE TRACEY

BCDRs Residence

Cyclone Tracey

HQ

Cyclone Tracey

Urban encroachment• Airfields are strategically critical• Increasing land use conflicts• Urban planning - conflict avoidance, not risk

mitigation • Recent developments are encroaching on RAAF

Base Darwin

Noise Monitoring – Pitch Black 12

• Points

Typical NoiseTypical Noise Sound Pressure Level

LpA dB(A)

Threshold of pain 130

Threshold of discomfort 120

Chainsaw, 1m distance 110

Disco, 1m from speaker 100

Diesel truck pass-by, 10m away 90

Kerbside of busy road, 5m away 80

Vacuum cleaner, distance 1m 70

Conversational speech, 1m 60

Quiet office 50

Room in quiet, suburban area 40

Quiet library 30

Background in TV studio 20

Rustling leaves in the distance 10

Hearing threshold 0

RAAF Darwin Golf Club

Kulaluck Development

• Points

Senior ADF Officer (SADFO)• SADFO responsible for:

• Whole of Defence matters at the Base• Defence Assistance to the Community• Community Engagement • Reputation Management

• RAAF Darwin issues incl:• Aircraft noise• Firefighting Foams• Housing estates• US Force Posture Initiatives• Introduction of new aircraft platforms

The Future

• Significant planned works, incl:• New Air Combat Capability (JSF)• AP3-C Orion replacement (Poseidon)• US Force Posture Initiatives• Enhanced Air Cooperation (USAF/RAAF)

F-35A – Joint Strike Fighter

• The F-35A is a fifth generation aircraft at the forefront of air combat technology.

• The first F-35A aircraft will arrive in Australia in 2018 and the first squadron, Number 3 Squadron, will be operational in 2021.

• All 72 aircraft are expected to be fully operational by 2023.

AIR 7000 – P-8A Poseidon

• The first aircraft will arrive in Canberra on 15 November 2016, with the remaining 11 aircraft to be delivered by March 2020.

• The P-8A Poseidons will be based at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

• Facilities at RAAF Base Darwin to support detachment.

Air Traffic Control Tower

Enhanced Air Cooperation• Extension of relationship between the ADF and the USAF• Increase in rotation of US aircraft through Australia.• New facilities at RAAF Base Darwin incl:

• Extension to aircraft apron• Augmentation of fuel systems• New warehousing, hangars and workshops.