RAAF Base Tindal

File:Arch Tindal (AWM P00873.001).jpg, for whom the airfield was named in 1946]]

Tindal was initially built for the RAAF as Carson's Airfield in 1942. The airfield was constructed by the US Army's 43rd Engineer General Service Regiment. Its purpose was to provide a base for Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bombers that could strike at Japanese targets in Papua New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, but the turning tide of the war rendered this unnecessary and no aircraft were deployed there before the cessation of hostilities. In 1946, the airfield was renamed in honour of Wing Commander Archibald (Archie) Tindal, the first RAAF member killed in action on the Australian mainland during World War II; he died while manning a machine gun against Japanese raiders bombing Darwin on 19 February 1942, and was buried at the Adelaide River war cemetery.{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/EDITIONS/4612/features/feature01a.htm|title=Tindal: A history |work=Air Force News, Vol. 46, No. 12|date=15 July 2004|access-date=10 June 2013}}

In 1959, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sir Frederick Scherger, proposed building a second airfield in the Darwin area. Like Tindal, he had been in Darwin when it was bombed by the Japanese in 1942, and believed that Australia's defences in the north needed to be strengthened.{{cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan| year=1995| title=Going Solo: The Royal Australian Air Force 1946–1971|location=Canberra|publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service|isbn=0-644-42803-1 }}{{rp|135–137, 283}} Following a survey, Tindal was selected in May 1963 as being close enough to RAAF Base Darwin to afford mutual protection, but far enough from the coast to be defensible and to avoid the effects of tropical cyclones. Other factors, such as being outside the projected nuclear fall-out zone should Darwin be targeted by a nuclear weapon, as well as an adequate water supply and suitable road and rail connections, also influenced the decision.{{citation|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_committees?url=pwc/tindalstage5/subs/sub001.pdf|title=RAAF Base Tindal Redevelopment Stage 5: Katherine, Northern Territory: Statement of Evidence to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works|date=February 2008|publisher=Department of Defence|location=Canberra}}

Conceived as an "Un-Manned Operational Base" (later to be known as a bare base), Tindal was to have no permanent staff and very few buildings. Essentially it would consist of a runway, taxiways and hardstanding along with the minimal infrastructure, such as electricity and water, to permit it to be activated when required.{{rp|56}} No. 5 Airfield Construction Squadron commenced work in 1964 and the {{convert|2743|m|ft|adj=on}} runway was completed in March 1967, at a cost of $7 million.{{rp|56}}{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=David|title=Always First: The RAAF Airfield Construction Squadrons 1942–1974|year=1998|publisher=Air Power Studies Centre|isbn=0-642-26525-9|url=http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Publications/Details/219/Always-First-The-RAAF-Airfield-Construction-Squadrons-19421974.aspx|location=Canberra |pages=141–143 }} The base was ready to support RAAF units by early 1968, though work expanding its facilities continued through 1968 and 1969.

In 1984, the Australian government decided to move the RAAF's fast jet base in the Northern Territory from Darwin to Tindal to more effectively control the sea-air gap, in keeping with its strategic policy of defence in depth. After a major upgrade, RAAF Tindal became operational on 1 October 1988, the first new manned base to be established since World War II. It was officially opened on 31 March 1989, the RAAF's 68th anniversary, by Prime Minister Bob Hawke.{{cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan|orig-year=2001|year=2006| title=The Royal Australian Air Force: A History|location=London| publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0-19-555541-4 |pages=299–300 }} The opening was originally planned for July 1988 but was delayed due to difficulties finding a date suitable to both Hawke and the Minister for Defence, Kim Beazley.{{Cite web|url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102016000|title = Base opening delay|date = 19 October 1988|access-date=1 May 2015|website=Trove|via=National Library of Australia }} Since its establishment, Tindal has remained the RAAF's main operational base in the Northern Territory. It has regularly hosted other units for exercises and supported the Australian-led intervention during the 1999 East Timorese crisis, and No. 75 Squadron's deployment for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.{{cite journal |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/EDITIONS/4612/features/feature01b.htm|title=High praise for last all-blue base|journal=Air Force News |volume=46 |number=12 |date=15 July 2004|access-date=10 June 2013}} In keeping with Tindal's position in the northern area of operations, it is manned exclusively by uniformed personnel. In 2004, it was awarded the RAAF's Hawker Siddeley Trophy for most proficient base of the previous year.

File:Skyhawk A4K DF-ST-85-04198.jpg

The Australian Government announced in February 2020 that it would spend $1.1 billion upgrading RAAF Base Tindal to expand Australian and US air force capabilities into the Indo-Pacific region. Works will include extending its runway and increasing fuel storage so that US long-range bombers and Australian refuelling aircraft can use the base.{{cite news |last1=Doran |first1=Matthew |title=Federal Government spends $1.1 billion on Northern Territory air base, expanding reach into the Indo-Pacific |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-21/federal-government-spends-1.1-billion-on-top-end-air-base/11986904 |access-date=23 February 2020 |work=ABC News |date=21 February 2020}} This project followed $500 million of works undertaken so that the base could efficiently operate Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

Modernisation work at Tindal is funded by the US government, and its scope was confirmed by Australian officials on 31 October 2022.{{Cite web |title=18 OSS sAFEguards Pitch Black 2022 |url=https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3154452/18-oss-safeguards-pitch-black-2022/https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3154452/18-oss-safeguards-pitch-black-2022/ |access-date=1 November 2022 |website=Pacific Air Forces |language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Changes at the base include an expanded apron with space for six B-52s, facilities for squadron operations and maintenance infrastructure.{{Cite web |date=31 October 2022 |title=US deployment of nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to Australia's north likely to fuel China tensions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/31/us-air-force-deployment-nuclear-capable-b-52-bombers-australia-northern-territory |access-date=1 November 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} The B-52 bombers are nuclear-capable, which has been met with some opposition and concern that their stationing will increase tension with China. The RAAF responded by stating that USA bombers have been visiting Australia since the 1980s and engaging in training exercises in Australia since 2005.{{Cite web |date=31 October 2022 |title=US deployment of nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to Australia's north likely to fuel China tensions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/31/us-air-force-deployment-nuclear-capable-b-52-bombers-australia-northern-territory |access-date=24 January 2023 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}

Once completed, the air base will better accommodate bomber formations as well as tankers and fighters, with work also affecting fuel and ammunition storage and mission planning buildings. Currently, Tindal is the permanent home of a single RAAF F-35A stealth fighter squadron. The cost of the squadron's operations and maintenance facilities at Tindal is estimated at $14.4 million, with the total value of base modernisation reaching $100 million.{{Cite web |last=Newdick |first=Thomas |date=31 October 2022 |title=Australian Airbase Gets Upgrades For American Bomber Deployments |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/australian-airbase-gets-upgrades-for-american-bomber-deployments |access-date=1 November 2022 |website=The Drive |language=en}}

Australian officials told reporters in 2022 that the project was in the "planning phase" and work was expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

In 1997, an Antonov An-124 Ruslan aircraft carrying weapons and four helicopters belonging to the mercenary company Sandline International was diverted from its planned destination in Papua New Guinea to Tindal during the Sandline affair. The helicopters were subsequently stored at the base, without Sandline being charged rent. Two Mil Mi-17 troop carriers were sold in 1999, but the two remaining helicopters, Mil Mi-24 gunships, remained unsold.{{cite web |date=8 December 2003 |title=Chopper Sale Grounded |url=http://www.sandline.com/hotlinks/Australian_chopper-sale.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806213441/http://www.sandline.com/hotlinks/Australian_chopper-sale.html |archive-date=6 August 2020 |access-date=20 January 2017 |work=The Australian}} As of 2015, the Australian Defence Force was seeking to dispose of them during 2016.{{cite news |last1=Thomson |first1=Philip |date=13 September 2015 |title=Mercenary helicopter gunships remain grounded on Defence base after 18 years |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/mercenary-helicopter-gunships-remain-grounded-on-defence-base-after-18-years-20150911-gjkhur.html |access-date=13 March 2016 |work=The Canberra Times}} Both helicopters were buried at the Shoal Bay Landfill site near Darwin during 2016.{{cite news |last1=Gibson |first1=Jano |date=29 October 2019 |title=Russian-built Mil Mi-24 attack helicopters buried in Darwin dump |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-29/russian-attack-helicopter-buried-in-darwin-dump/11637448 |access-date=27 November 2019 |work=ABC News}}

Australian F-111s and RNZAF A-4K Skyhawks were armed and on standby at the base ready to attack Indonesian forces and command systems during the tension in 1999 during the establishment of East Timor's independence and the deployment of the Australian-led International Force for East Timor.{{cite news |last1=Chapman |first1=Paul |last2=Dutter |first2=Barbie |date=23 June 2001 |title=Australia 'was set to bomb Jakarta in Timor conflict' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/1312500/Australia-was-set-to-bomb-Jakarta-in-Timor-conflict.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=20 January 2017 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=Australia}}

File:F-22 at Tindal Air Base, NT, Australia.webp

File:USAF and RAAF showcasing F-22 and F-35.webp

The United States Armed Forces use the base often for their overseas operations and training exercises. Some aircraft landed at Tindal owned by the United States includes:

• Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor {{Endash}} as part of collaborative training such as Operation Pitch Black and regular rotations throughout the Northern Territory.https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2022-08-19/united-states-air-force-f-22-raptor-aircraft-arrive-australia
• Boeing B-52 Stratofortress {{Endash}} prior to current upgrades which when completed will allow the US to store up to 6 B-52 bombers at any given time at the air base.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hef7IS8W2g0 |title=USAF B-52's arrive at RAAF Base Darwin |date=2018-05-28 |last=Defence Australia |access-date=2024-12-29 |via=YouTube}}
• Northrop B-2 Spirit {{Endash}} multiple occasions; including maintenance and refuelling for US military operations in the Middle East, and crew change in 2016.{{Cite web |title=B-2 Spirit crews perform engine running crew change in Australia |url=https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2001507734/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=www.pacaf.af.mil}}

On 17 October 2024, the base was used to assist with strikes by USAF B-2As on hardened weapon storage facilities in Yemen owned by the Houthis in response to the latter's attacks on US and International Military and Civilian Vessels in the Red Sea.{{Cite news |date=2024-10-18 |title=Australian air base used as staging ground for US strike on Houthi weapon stores |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-18/australian-airbase-used-in-us-strike-on-houthi-stores-yemen/104490578 |access-date=2024-10-18 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}

The following units are located at RAAF Base Tindal:{{cite web|url=http://www.airforce.gov.au/Bases/Northern-Territory/RAAF-Base-Tindal/?RAAF-hHBYVzFK6EsZI++TiITQwfB6YNnQZ/Lc |title=RAAF Base Tindal|work=Royal Australian Air Force |publisher=Australian Government |access-date=10 June 2013}}

In addition, there is RAAF Military Police, who operate as part of the Joint Military Police Unit, as well as the Army's NORFORCE Regional Force Surveillance Unit which has a detachment located at Tindal.

A general aviation apron and civilian passenger terminal were built under an agreement between the RAAF and Katherine Town Council. The civilian area is known as Katherine Tindal Civilian Airport. Passenger aircraft as large as the Boeing 737 can use the airport.{{cite web|title=Airport|url=http://www.ktc.nt.gov.au/Council-Services/Airport|publisher=Katherine Town Council|access-date=10 June 2013|archive-date=27 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927053209/http://www.ktc.nt.gov.au/Council-Services/Airport|url-status=dead}}

{{airport-dest-list

| Airnorth | Alice Springs, Darwin, Tennant Creek{{cite web|url=http://australianaviation.com.au/2015/09/airnorth-launches-centre-run-flights-between-darwin-and-alice-springs/|title=Airnorth launches "Centre Run" flights between Darwin and Alice Springs|work=Australian Aviation|access-date=14 March 2016}}

| Katherine Aviation{{cite web|url=http://www.katherineaviation.com.au|title=Katherine Base|publisher=Katherine Aviation|access-date=10 June 2013}} | Borroloola, Gove, Groote Eylandt, Kalkaringi, Lajamanu, Ngukurr

}}

• List of Royal Australian Air Force installations
• List of airports in the Northern Territory

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{{commons category|RAAF Base Tindal}}

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{{RAAF Bases}}

{{Airports in the Northern Territory}}

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Tindal

Category:Military installations in the Northern Territory

Tindal

Category:1942 establishments in Australia

Category:Katherine, Northern Territory

Category:Military airbases established in 1942