RAAF Base Edinburgh

The construction of RAAF Base Edinburgh commenced in 1953 and it was officially opened 22 March 1954 as a support base for weapons development at the joint UK-Australian Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) at Woomera and Maralinga. The support base had previously been based at a small Edinburgh Airfield and at RAAF Base Mallala.{{cite web |url=http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/bases/mallala.htm |title=Mallala |website=RAAF Museum |access-date=20 June 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105043648/http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/bases/mallala.htm |archive-date=5 January 2018}} The base was located alongside the wartime Salisbury Explosives Factory,The wartime Salisbury Explosives Factory became the Long Range Weapons Establishment, subsequently the Weapons Research Establishment (WRE), the Defence Research Centre, Salisbury (DRCS), the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), and (2015 name change) Defence Science and Technology (DST). in open fields between the then country villages of Salisbury (to the south) and Smithfield (to the north). At about the same time, the satellite town of Elizabeth was being established (to the east).

Support for WRE testing activities had greatly reduced by the late 1960s. In 1968, No. 11 Squadron relocated to Edinburgh operating Orions. In the late 1970s, No. 10 Squadron also operating Orions relocated to Edinburgh and a maritime patrol wing No. 92 Wing was established at Edinburgh making it the primary base for Australia's maritime reconnaissance operations. RAAF Base Edinburgh has since been home to No 1 Recruit Training Unit, the Institute of Aviation Medicine (AVMED) and the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU).{{cite web |url=http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/bases/edinburgh.htm |title=Edinburgh |website=RAAF Museum |access-date=20 June 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105051356/http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/bases/edinburgh.htm |archive-date=5 January 2018}}

Originally, RAAF Edinburgh and the DSTO were located in Salisbury, (subsequently the suburb of Salisbury – Postcode 5108), in the City of Salisbury. In 1997, the Department of Defence decided to rationalise the then "DSTO Salisbury" site and sell off about 70% of the site, and surrounding "Defence-owned" Crown land, to form the "Edinburgh Parks" industrial estate. The suburb of Salisbury was split in two, with the part containing the RAAF Base and DSTO renamed "Edinburgh" (after the RAAF Base). The new suburb was assigned the Postcode 5111.

On 5 December 2003, stage one of the redevelopment of the base was opened including facilities for the newly formed Aerospace Operational Support Group, and for the Aircraft Research and Development Unit which had relocated from DSTO Salisbury, and for Defence Materiel Organisation units - the Maritime Patrol System Program office and the Aeronautical Life Support Logistics Management Unit.{{cite press release |author1=Defence Minister Robert Hill |title=$14 Million Redevelopment for RAAF Edinburgh |url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Hilltpl.cfm?CurrentId=3325 |website=Department of Defence |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040708193210/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Hilltpl.cfm?CurrentId=3325 |archive-date=8 July 2004 |date=5 December 2003|url-status=dead}}

In August 2012, stage two of the redevelopment of the base was completed including a new air traffic control tower and facilities for No. 462 Squadron, which had relocated from Canberra, and for No. 87 Squadron.{{cite web |title=RAAF Base Edinburgh Redevelopment |url=https://www.grocon.com/project/raaf-base-edinburgh-redevelopment/ |website=Grocon |access-date=12 January 2020}}{{cite press release |author1=Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence Mike Kelly |title=$99.56 Million for New Facilities Facilities and Infrastructure at RAAF Base Edinburgh |url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Kellytpl.cfm?CurrentId=9146 |website=Department of Defence |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604231124/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Kellytpl.cfm?CurrentId=9146 |archive-date=4 June 2009 |date=28 May 2009|url-status=dead}}

On 19 November 2017, the Defence Minister announced that the base would be upgraded to operate the P-8A Poseidon including new facilities, infrastructure and airfield works with a strengthened and extended runway (by {{convert|275|m}}).{{cite web |author1=Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Defence |title=Defence invests $659 million for new security infrastructure at RAAF Edinburgh |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-releases/minister-defence-industry-minister-defence-defence-invests-659 |website=Department of Defence Ministers |access-date=12 January 2020 |date=19 November 2017}}{{cite web |author1=Defence Infrastructure Division |title=Air 7000 Phase 2B - Maritime Patrol Aircraft Replacement Project - RAAF Base Edinburgh Works |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/id/Air7000Phase2B/EdinburghWorks.asp |website=Department of Defence |access-date=12 January 2020}}{{cite news |last=Rohweder |first=Sarah |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/north-northeast/part-of-penfield-road-in-adelaide-to-be-closed-off-so-runway-at-raaf-base-edinburgh-can-be-extended/news-story/324f1ccba70b6c876fb47f4b63d33c71 |title=Part of Penfield Road in Adelaide to be closed off so runway at RAAF Base Edinburgh can be extended |date=13 July 2017 |newspaper=The Advertiser |access-date=15 July 2017}}

In November 2019, the base held the 'Edinburgh Air Show 2019' over two days the 9th and 10th.{{Cite web|title=Edinburgh Air Show 2019|url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/exercises/edinburghairshow2019|website=Royal Australian Air Force|access-date=2019-10-31}}

In May 2023, it was revealed that the 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery would be relocating from their Woodside Barracks to purpose-built facilities at Edinburgh once completed, to accommodate the new NASAMS ground-based air defence systems.{{cite web|title=Aussie soldiers get first glimpse of NASAMS|url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/defence/land/aussie-soldiers-get-first-glimpse-of-nasams|date= 11 May 2023}}

On 5 September 2024, construction began on a $200m 'Deep Maintaince and Modification Facility' at Edinburgh to support the long-term maintaince, sustainment, and modification of the Royal Australian Air Force's P-8A Poseidon and E-7A Wedgetail fleet. Expected completion in 2026.{{cite web|title=Construction begins on a $200 million military aircraft hangar in South Australia|url=https://renewalsa.sa.gov.au/news/construction-begins-on-a-200-million-military-aircraft-hangar-in-south-australia?form=MG0AV3|date= 5 September 2024}}

In 2016 concerns were raised about perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), used in fire fighting foams at the base until 2004, being found in groundwater at the base and in nearby wetlands.{{cite news |last=Shepherd |first=Tory |author-link=Tory Shepherd |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/federal-election/turnbull-pledges-blood-tests-for-raaf-base-toxic-leak-amid-defence-probe/news-story/ad150c4d9eda4b111b4baa8e930a5cec |title=Turnbull pledges blood tests for RAAF base toxic leak amid Defence probe |newspaper=The Advertiser |date=15 June 2016 |access-date=10 February 2019}}{{cite news |first=Elizabeth |last=Henson |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/defence-department-holds-public-meeting-to-inform-residents-in-adelaides-north-about-its-inquiry-into-cancercausing-toxins-at-the-edinburgh-raaf-base/news-story/1e6f2c52d0bdd4ba08b3a8fb1af3731f |title=Defence Department holds public meeting to inform residents in Adelaide's north about its inquiry into cancer-causing toxins at the Edinburgh RAAF base |newspaper=The Advertiser |date=13 October 2016 |access-date=10 February 2019}} A 2014 report from the United States Environmental Protection Agency described PFOA and PFOS as emergent contaminants that are "extremely persistent in the environment and resistant to typical environmental degradation processes" and which consequently pose "potential adverse effects for the environment and human health" due to their toxicity, mobility, and ability to bioaccumulate.{{cite report |date=March 2014 |title=Emerging Contaminants Fact Sheet – Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) |url=https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=P100LTG6.txt |website=National Service Center for Environmental Publications |publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency |id=505-F-14-001 |access-date=10 February 2019 |page=1}}

The Hardened and Networked Army plan was announced in December 2005 to relocate elements of the Australian Army's 1st Brigade to RAAF Base Edinburgh which was later altered by the Enhanced Land Force plan released in August 2006 changing the mechanised infantry battalion to be relocated.{{cite magazine |last1=Ryan |first1=Lt Col Sean |title=Hardened and Networked Army - an Army for now and the future| magazine=Defence magazine|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine/editions/200602/features/feature01.htm |publisher=Department of Defence |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070920190839/http://www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine/editions/200602/features/feature01.htm |archive-date=20 September 2007 |date=February 2006|url-status=dead}}{{cite report |author1=Department of Defence |title=Hardened and Network Army Edinburgh Defence Precinct Facilities - Adelaide, South Australia - Statement of Evidence|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=pwc/edinburgh/subs.htm|access-date=12 January 2020 |date=August 2007}} An extensive building program was undertaken to provide new working accommodation and joint Army and RAAF training facilities, a combined mess, fitness, health and community facilities.{{cite press release |author1=Parliamentary Secretary for Defence David Feeney |title=Opening of $620 million Horseshoe Barracks at RAAF Base Edinburgh |url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2011/09/09/parliamentary-secretary-for-defence-opening-of-620-million-horseshoe-barracks-at-raaf-base-edinburgh/ |website=Department of Defence Ministers |access-date=12 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227104626/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2011/09/09/parliamentary-secretary-for-defence-opening-of-620-million-horseshoe-barracks-at-raaf-base-edinburgh/ |archive-date=27 February 2012 |date=9 September 2011|url-status=dead}} On 9 September 2011, the new facilities were officially opened with the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR) a mechanised infantry battalion housed at Horseshoe Lines.{{cite news |last1=Wiseman|first1=Spr Nick|title=New facilities 'best in Aus'|url=https://www.defence.gov.au/Publications/NewsPapers/Army/editions/1268/1268.pdf|work=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper|issue=1268|publisher=Department of Defence|location=Canberra|issn=0729-5685|page=4|date=29 September 2011|access-date=12 January 2020}} 7 RAR had relocated from Robertson Barracks in Darwin earlier in the year in January. The new facilities housed other relocated units including the 102nd (Coral) Battery from 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, 9th Field Squadron from 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, 1st Combat Services Support Team from 1st Combat Service Support Battalion and a detachment from Headquarters 1st Brigade.{{cite report |last1=Ellis |first1=Stuart |title=Army Presence in South Australia |url=https://www.defencesa.com/upload/brochures/def-4121_Army%20Report_FA_LR.pdf |publisher=Leading by Example / Defence SA |pages=18–20|access-date=12 January 2020 |date=23 April 2012|page= }}

In November 2017, the 1st Armoured Regiment relocated from Robertson Barracks to Chauvel Lines at RAAF Base Edinburgh as part of the Plan Beersheba reorganisation of the Army.{{cite news |last1=Hamblin|first1=Maj Felicity|title=100 years of tank warfare|url=https://www.defence.gov.au/Publications/NewsPapers/Army/editions/1410/1410.pdf|work=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper|issue=1410|publisher=Department of Defence|location=Canberra|issn=0729-5685|page=13|date=30 November 2017|access-date=12 January 2020}}{{cite web |title=1st Armoured Regiment heads south |url=https://www.facebook.com/AustralianArmy/videos/1st-armoured-regiment-heads-south/10155517152136195/|website=Australian Army|via=Facebook|access-date=12 January 2020 |date=2 November 2017}} D Squadron had earlier relocated in January 2014.{{cite news |last1=Hetherington|first1=WO2 Andrew|title=D Sqn move to APCs|url=https://www.defence.gov.au/Publications/NewsPapers/Army/editions/1335/1335.pdf|work=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper|issue=1335|publisher=Department of Defence|location=Canberra|issn=0729-5685|page=5|date=28 August 2014|access-date=12 January 2020}}

The following units are based at RAAF Base Edinburgh:

• 1st Brigade Headquarters (Southern Detachment)
• 1st Armoured Regiment
• Headquarters Squadron
• A Squadron – Cavalry (equipped with the ASLAV)
• B Squadron – Tank (equipped with the M1A1 Abrams)
• C Squadron – Cavalry (equipped with the ASLAV)
• Support Squadron
• 1st Combat Service Support Team (1st Combat Service Support Battalion)

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