Amberley to be a ‘super-base’

33SQN members, pictured carrying out maintenance on a Boeing 707 air-to-air refueling pod while in Tindal during Exercise Pitch Black 04, will be moving from Richmond to Amberley.

Photo by LAC Ben Dempster

RAAF Base Amberley, the first “super-base”.

Photo by AC David Pinhorn

* The expected timeframe for the redevelopment project and the relocation of 33SQN is two years. It is anticipated up to 220 personnel will be relocated to Amberley to support the new refuelling capability. The decision to relocate 33SQN to Amberley was made based on the A330’s requirement for a longer runway. The redevelopment will include an upgrade of engineering infrastructure and base services and the construction of new facilities in support of A330 operations. The relocation of 33SQN to Amberley will not affect Richmond’s role as a major operational air base.

RAAF Base Amberley is set to become the Air Force’s “super base”, with plans to expand personnel numbers, facilities and services to the value of $285 million.

The major redevelopment project was announced on June 22.

Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill said the base upgrade would cater for the Air Force’s new fleet of five air-to-air A330 refuelling aircraft, to be operated by No. 33 Squadron, and the Army’s heavy lift road transport capability, run by the 9th Force Support Battalion.

Consisting of more than 150 personnel, 33SQN will be relocated from RAAF Base Richmond to support the A330 tankers, due to enter service in 2009.

The A330 could not be operated out of Richmond due its requirement for a longer runway, which is available at Amberley.

The new tankers will be capable of refuelling F/A-18, F-111, Airborne Early Warning and Control and Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, as well has having significant lift capability.

The base redevelopment would involve three major components, including the relocation of the two units and the upgrading of engineering services.

“RAAF Base Amberley is the largest operational Air Force base in Australia, and has considerable capacity for expansion,” he said.

“This capital investment and injection of an extra 780 personnel to Amberley will have major economic benefits for the Ipswich region and local industry.

“Much of Amberley’s engineering infrastructure is nearing the end of its life and needs significant upgrade to meet the demands that will be placed on it in the future.”

The project will upgrade electrical, water supply, sewage, stormwater and communications networks, as well as the trunk road systems.

He said the runway and taxiways would be strengthened for the new refuellers, and new aircraft parking spaces, a new maintenance hangar and office accommodation would also be provided.

The redevelopment is expected to be complete by the end of 2007.

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